Flying Mavic Air with floatation kit

[JPC]

Having fitted this to my drone, do I have to change any settings; as every time I try to launch from the ground, the drone sits back on its rear and topples over? When I hand hold it and launch it is very unstable and rotates on a vertical axis and it will not climb! So any advice or guidance gratefully received!

 

[MAvic_South_Oz]

do I have to change any settings; as every time I try to launch from the ground, the drone sits back on its rear and topples over? When I hand hold it and launch it is very unstable and rotates on a vertical axis and it will not climb! So any advice or guidance gratefully received!

No, AFAIK no settings for added payload on the MA.

It sounds like the floats are very slightly off centre (too far back ?).
Sort of surprises me, as the props should adjust to whatever is needed, like they do if there's a strong wind from any direction when hovering.

Is there a way to slide them forward (in the ziptie loops) so they are more in line with the drone COG ?
Not sure how you'd find that other than approximate, perhaps balance the drone only over a thin taught rope until it sort of balances between your fingers front and rear (like a seesaw).
Mark with a piece of tape where you find the balance.
Do the same with the floats in the brackets, see where that COG lies, and if adjustable by the fixings to the drone.
Try and match them up.

Won't climb ?
Might have something to do with unsuitable balance detected ?
Maybe post a flight log to see if there is anything unusual for the analysis folk to pick out ?

edit typos

 

[Meta4]

Removal would be a good option if you want it to fly properly.

 

[Saladshooter]

I have a similar kit for my Air 2S. To set it up I put four horizontal lines across the end of each float where I want the water to balance the craft. Then I used a tub / sink with just enough water in it to float the drone and moved the foam until it was perfectly balanced. I then marked the floats where they meet the supports so that I always know that it is adjusted properly.

When set up correctly It can be used very effectively to land on water and even see below the surface using a polarized filter. I use mine on the river and it can take some pretty significant current without turning over. It does dramatically affect flight performance so you have to get used to the way it flies..... heavy winds are particularly tough on it. Make sure you practice take off and landing on still water where you can retrieve the drone if things go awry.

The craft I use it on has DJI Care Refresh, in case of an incident. I also take the time to tape over the power button and the ends of the battery to avoid splashes causing problems..... but after with many flights I have found that the drone sits high enough that it is not an issue. Almost all of my work is in and around water so despite the risk I find the float system a great way to a get different type of footage.

The Mavic Air is not as powerful as the Air 2 / Air 2S so use lots of care and practice before putting the drone in a risky situation.

 

[Deleted member 103366]

Just a thought and solely concerning the flip, aside from the trying restore the CoG to it's 'correct' position.
If you are lauching from the ground via a button press i.e. an automated process, try a manual launch instead. Start the motors with the CSC them SLOWLY throttle up until you see the drone start to lift on one 'side' BUT DO NOT throttle up enough to get it air borne.
If the front lifts first then add froward-stick to speed up the rear motors or slow down the forward ones, if the left side lifts first add some go-left stick etc. etc. etc. and see if you can get the drone to take off level.

If I launch my M2P/Z from a slope, I start the motors and then slowly throttle up, the drone lifts the lowside first until the drone is level and then it lifts off entirely. If you can not sort out the CoG and therefore likely can not take off safely from water. would there be any point in having floats attached?
When launching from the ground, you could, perhaps, as an academic exercise, put a stick under the front of the floats so that, and assuming your drone behaves like my M2P/Z, the rear lifts first.

 

[Phantomrain.org]

Having fitted this to my drone, do I have to change any settings; as every time I try to launch from the ground, the drone sits back on its rear and topples over? When I hand hold it and launch it is very unstable and rotates on a vertical axis and it will not climb! So any advice or guidance gratefully received!View attachment 138100

Please check out the Rescue Jacket for the Air 2 , Its a much more stream line design, and designed to negotiate waves.
It also provides a visual line of sight up to 3000 ft.

Several of the Forum Members have them and there are many videos posted.

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Phantomrain.org
Gear to fly in the Rain, and Land on the Water.

 

[JPC]

Removal would be a good option if you want it to fly properly.

Yes that's for sure - but I'm going sailing soon and want to fly it over water with a modicum of confidence that if I lose control and it lands on the water then I can get it back!

 

[JPC]

Please check out the Rescue Jacket for the Air 2 , Its a much more stream line design, and designed to negotiate waves.
It also provides a visual line of sight up to 3000 ft.

Several of the Forum Members have them and there are many videos posted.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Phantomrain.org
Gear to fly in the Rain, and Land on the Water.
View attachment 138103

Yes I had looked at that, but mine is a Mavic Air 1 and this jacket does not fit it - I checked with the distributors to check.

 

[JPC]

Yes I had looked at that, but mine is a Mavic Air 1 and this jacket does not fit it - I checked with the distributors to check.

Having said that tough I do wonder whether with a bit of adaptation this could work on my Mavic Air 1??

 

[JPC]

I have a similar kit for my Air 2S. To set it up I put four horizontal lines across the end of each float where I want the water to balance the craft. Then I used a tub / sink with just enough water in it to float the drone and moved the foam until it was perfectly balanced. I then marked the floats where they meet the supports so that I always know that it is adjusted properly.

When set up correctly It can be used very effectively to land on water and even see below the surface using a polarized filter. I use mine on the river and it can take some pretty significant current without turning over. It does dramatically affect flight performance so you have to get used to the way it flies..... heavy winds are particularly tough on it. Make sure you practice take off and landing on still water where you can retrieve the drone if things go awry.

The craft I use it on has DJI Care Refresh, in case of an incident. I also take the time to tape over the power button and the ends of the battery to avoid splashes causing problems..... but after with many flights I have found that the drone sits high enough that it is not an issue. Almost all of my work is in and around water so despite the risk I find the float system a great way to a get different type of footage.

The Mavic Air is not as powerful as the Air 2 / Air 2S so use lots of care and practice before putting the drone in a risky situation.

Thank you very much for this detail - very informative and helpful: I'll do what you suggest and see how it goes.

 

[JPC]

Thank you very much for this detail - very informative and helpful: I'll do what you suggest and see how it goes.

I'm also facing in flight vibration being caused by the prop downdraught flowing around the floats and starting something akin to a PIO (pilot induced oscillation)
It's bizarre in that watching others using this flotation kit on YouTube there isn't a problem.

 

[Deleted member 103366]

I would suggest you remove your post code from your location, that's a bit too accurate.

 

[JPC]

I would suggest you remove your post code from your location, that's a bit too accurate.

I can't see how to do that - nothing obvious in Profile.

 

[Deleted member 103366]

https://mavicpilots.com/account/account-details and edit what ever is in "location" perhaps, mine's blank so I can tell if that's where it is stored.
Just tried this and it works after a fashion, once there has been an entry in location it seems that location can not be blank, hence mine now having "once_used......"

 

[Droniac]

Having fitted this to my drone, do I have to change any settings; as every time I try to launch from the ground, the drone sits back on its rear and topples over? When I hand hold it and launch it is very unstable and rotates on a vertical axis and it will not climb! So any advice or guidance gratefully received!View attachment 138100

Best advice I can give, that I know is to check out a fellow forum members floatation life jacket @Phantomrain.org and then after perusing his wares get a gander of a testimonial video (one of many) that he was sent. It’s posted, online, and on my phone lol. Stay dry (I have a neoprene wetsuit from his co.) for my M2P. Flysafe & Godspeed, Droniac

 

[JPC]

https://mavicpilots.com/account/account-details and edit what ever is in "location" perhaps, mine's blank so I can tell if that's where it is stored.
Just tried this and it works after a fashion, once there has been an entry in location it seems that location can not be blank, hence mine now having "once_used......"

Thanks - got it to work

 

[MAvic_South_Oz]

Yes that's for sure - but I'm going sailing soon and want to fly it over water with a modicum of confidence that if I lose control and it lands on the water then I can get it back!

You really don’t need this cumbersome apparatus to recover your drone.
getterback.com

It is very unlikely you’d land on water with pontoons, other than very flat calm, and in total control.
Sure they’d keep it afloat upside down to recover, but these will possibly contribute to any flight problems with incredibly increased wind problems, and much reduced flight times.

Phantomrains pontoons are different, lower cog, and although the wind and flight time rule still applies in part, they will land better / safer in more conditions.

If you took out (and still have) Care Refresh then you need the body and getting that back is easy with a getterback (and tender craft).
It would have negligible effect on flight or flight time.

 

[JPC]

You really don’t need this cumbersome apparatus to recover your drone.
getterback.com

It is very unlikely you’d land on water with pontoons, other than very flat calm, and in total control.
Sure they’d keep it afloat upside down to recover, but these will possibly contribute to any flight problems with incredibly increased wind problems, and much reduced flight times.

Phantomrains pontoons are different, lower cog, and although the wind and flight time rule still applies in part, they will land better / safer in more conditions.

If you took out (and still have) Care Refresh then you need the body and getting that back is easy with a getterback (and tender craft).
It would have negligible effect on flight or flight time.

Yes I am becoming more aligned to the idea of such a system - but waiting to see now if they can provide one that fits my Mavic Air 1.

 

[slozukimc]

Phantomrains pontoons are different, lower cog, and although the wind and flight time rule still applies in part, they will land better / safer in more conditions.

I can testify to that. The Rescue Jacket will keep your baby afloat and right side up in some serious waves. And with the Wet Suit I feel very safe flying around the water.

PS: I have a kayak for emergencies and there could be a tow drone package in the works. @Phantomrain.org