DJI Mavic, Air and Mini Drones
Friendly, Helpful & Knowledgeable Community
Join Us Now

Flying close to water???

pedz

Active Member
Premium Pilot
Joined
Jun 25, 2022
Messages
34
Reactions
41
Age
66
Location
New Braunfels, TX
I have a Mavic 4 Pro and I want to do hyperlapses of sunrises skimming close to water. Here is an example but in this sequence the drone is 50' to 100' above the water. I'd like to be only a few feet but I have concerns about doing that. Indeed, I'd like to be so low that the collision avoidance from below is red but that seems to halt forward movement while doing a hyperlapse. I haven't investigated this much. On one occasion, after starting a hyperlapse (using course lock), I lowered the craft down until the red warning came on and at that point the craft was stuck. It would not move. I had to stop the hyperlapse, then I could raise the craft up and fly home.

Can others comment on their experiences on flying low over water either while doing a hyperlapse or not -- with and without collision avoidance activated?

Thank you
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cafguy
Staying a bit high over water is your friend. The movement of the water can sometimes confuse the sensors and you may get inaccurate readings for altitude from the controller.
If you want to fly really low just be prepared. You may have to save the drone because of something it wants to do. Sunset and sunrise are the least desirable times to fly over water.. The glare from the sun bouncing off the water at these times has been known to cause some pretty strange things to happen!
If I were you I would do it... BUT I would get some good water protection from Phantomrain before I did it for sure.
It will save your drone if it goes crazy......

Oh and I have heard that if you send some Blue Bell ice cream to CAFGUY over in Bakersfield Ca. its extra good luck for flying over water !!!!!!! ;)

 
Last edited:
I can only give you one well ment advise: DON'T!
There have been hundreds of pilots who have lost their drones flying over water at low altitudes.
As said before the sensors get confused and this effects the ability to maintain a steady flight level, causing the drone to crash.

Always maintain a safe altitude above a body of water.

Ruud
 

DJI Drone Deals

Forum statistics

Threads
138,985
Messages
1,643,262
Members
167,304
Latest member
yankigsm
Want to Remove this Ad? Simply login or create a free account