Here’s how easily you could lose a Mavic Mini to wind over open waters

[ChristophB]

Hopefully some can learn from my mistakes:

 

[Skywatcher2001]

That's how its done. At least you got her back. Nice job. I hope others learn from this . . .

 

[Prismatic]

Hopefully some can learn from my mistakes:

Excellent and gripping account of a near disaster. Getting low and into the lee of the island saved the day.
Thanks for this!

 

[Magilla Gorilla]

Good job getting her back!
When some would panic you kept your wits about you and made it happen. Good lesson for all.

 

[Thomas B]

Glad you got her back! Good job keeping your wits about you.

 

[old man mavic]

it just proves what all the old hands say on this forum ,(and some of the younger ones as well) learn to fly in manual mode ,then you can take over control and fly yourself out of trouble,don't rely on the auto functions

 

[chriscuk]

You was very lucky your drone didnt have any sudden urges to take a bath like lots of minis do over water. You was flying LOW! :O

 

[Gkinghrn]

nice one . Tho dont know why you worried - those 2 kayak guys near the end could have caught it before it dropped in the sea

 

[Meta4]

Hopefully some can learn from my mistakes:

Your key learning seems to have missed the most important lesson to be learned from this.
Think about the wind before launching, particularly about how it will affect your return flight.
Avoid getting into a similar situation by not flying off with a strong wind behind you.

A few other points:
The battery level at Max Distance wasn't a warning and it didn't pop up in flight.
That's Airdata adding that after the flight - it couldn't know Max Distance until the end of the flight.

Airdata wind speed estimates are not reliable for the Mavic Mini.

Flying fast, close to the water or any obstacle in Sport Mode is very risky.

 

[crlmjohnson]

outstanding job all around...lesson learn..no panic...good learning video.

nice work.

 

[David Smith]

That's how its done. At least you got her back. Nice job. I hope others learn from this . . .
very impressed with what you just did. Well done!!

 

[Gindra]

As already said, taking off with wind at your back is not a great idea. That being said though, excellent presentation and awesome demonstration of keeping cool, calm and collected!

 

[B52-D]

As already said, taking off with wind at your back is not a great idea. That being said though, excellent presentation and awesome demonstration of keeping cool, calm and collected!

And much to my surprise, your Mini lives to fly another day.

 

[Capt KO]

Beautiful recovery over the water. It seemed as though the crystal clear water was making the sensors actually work. Including the reefs. Near the end, when you stopped for a sec and hovered, It appeared to start dropping, which is normal (but weird) for the mini over water. Tape over the sensors next time to help ‘stop the drop’ over water. Nice flying!

(WWW) the Mavic Mini call sign (Wind, Water, Wtf)
bye bye birdie

 

[chuckm]

Beautiful recovery over the water. It seemed as though the crystal clear water was making the sensors actually work. Including the reefs. Near the end, when you stopped for a sec and hovered, It appeared to start dropping, which is normal (but weird) for the mini over water. Tape over the sensors next time to help ‘stop the drop’ over water. Nice flying!

(WWW) the Mavic Mini call sign (Wind, Water, Wtf)
bye bye birdie

Please elaborate on the "tape over the sensors" comment. Does water pose a problem for the Mini?

 

[Capt KO]

Please elaborate on the "tape over the sensors" comment. Does water pose a problem for the Mini?

Yes, the mini is having problems over water. I am experiencing it firsthand. They have a tendency to descend without stick input, over water. At first it seem to only be at under 15 feet but I’ve had it happen over 20 feet. Electrical tape over the bottom sensors seems to stop it from happening but you disconnect automatic landing assist. You have to slow it manually to land.

 

[MAvic_South_Oz]

Does water pose a problem for the Mini?

Actually water (or other reflective surfaces) can affect all drone bottom sensors.
Some more than others perhaps, but that's a hard topic to test and pin down accurately.

Here's some basic info form DJI directly regarding this . . .

How to Fly Safely Over Water - DJI Guides

Check out these essential tips for keeping your drone safe while flying over water.

store.dji.com

 

[Meta4]

Does water pose a problem for the Mini?

Page 16 of the Mini manual lists 10 situations that can be difficult for the VPS sensors, including:
The Vision System may not function properly when the aircraft is flying over water or snow-covered areas.
The Vision System cannot work properly over surfaces that do not have clear pattern variations.
The Vision System cannot work properly in any of the following situations. Operate the aircraft cautiously:

b. Flying over highly reflective surfaces.​

c. Flying over water or transparent surfaces.​

d. Flying over moving surfaces or objects.​

h. Flying over surfaces without clear patterns or texture.​

Additionally, With very clear water, it is possible for the sensors to pick up the bottom and not the water surface.

 

[Capt KO]

Page 16 of the Mini manual lists 10 situations that can be difficult for the VPS sensors, including:
The Vision System may not function properly when the aircraft is flying over water or snow-covered areas.
The Vision System cannot work properly over surfaces that do not have clear pattern variations.
The Vision System cannot work properly in any of the following situations. Operate the aircraft cautiously:

b. Flying over highly reflective surfaces.​

c. Flying over water or transparent surfaces.​

d. Flying over moving surfaces or objects.​

h. Flying over surfaces without clear patterns or texture.​

Additionally, With very clear water, it is possible for the sensors to pick up the bottom and not the water surface.

Perfect. Cut and paste this reply every time the water question comes up. Especially for the mini.

 

[Nuum]

I feel like watching action movie and cheer for the mini when she landing...lol. Awesome job overall.