Mavic Air 2 RTH and Altitude question

[fjc]

Hey there all, I have mini as well as the Air2 (just a few days ago) and I've always wondered how the Altitude is calculated on both. For instance if I'm on a cliff and I indicate the RTH height to be 75 metres and I send the drone (either one) out over the cliff which is already 300 metres high, is it now at 375 metre high or is it still at 75 metres high? When RTH is activated below the cliff height say it's at 200 metres, does the drone rise now to 375 metres before returning home or will it crash into the side of the cliff ? Thanks

 

[dawgpilot]

Everything is based on your takeoff height. If you fly below the cliff, the drone will start indicating a negative attitude, and if RTH is triggered, it still will rise to 75 meters above the takeoff height.

 

[fjc]

Everything is based on your takeoff height. If you fly below the cliff, the drone will start indicating a negative attitude, and if RTH is triggered, it still will rise to 75 meters above the takeoff height.

Thanks.. that makes perfect sense, but the of course my followup question would be, if I'm at 375 metres above ground out over the cliff, am I in violation of the 400 feet ceiling limit while out over the side of the cliff which happens to have a town below?

 

[dawgpilot]

Thanks.. that makes perfect sense, but the of course my followup question would be, if I'm at 375 metres above ground out over the cliff, am I in violation of the 400 feet ceiling limit while out over the side of the cliff which happens to have a town below?

Typically yes, you would be in violation, at least in the USA, because the rules relate to your height above ground level, and once you fly past the cliff, the ground underneath is more than 400 feet below. (seems like you are in Canada though, and I'm not positive about the Canadian rules, perhaps they give you some leeway if you stay close to the cliff face itself?)

 

[old man mavic]

Thanks.. that makes perfect sense, but the of course my followup question would be, if I'm at 375 metres above ground out over the cliff, am I in violation of the 400 feet ceiling limit while out over the side of the cliff which happens to have a town below?

yes

 

[fjc]

Typically yes, you would be in violation, at least in the USA, because the rules relate to your height above ground level, and once you fly past the cliff, the ground underneath is more than 400 feet below. (seems like you are in Canada though, and I'm not positive about the Canadian rules, perhaps they give you some leeway if you stay close to the cliff face itself?)

Yup, okay , but it all contributes to confusion because now it would be illegal to fly over a ravine or a valley if it puts you over 400ft, even for a minute. Such is life I guess. Thanks for your responses. Best, Frank.

 

[old man mavic]

Yup, that makes sense as well, but it all contributes to confusion because now it would be illegal to fly over a ravine or a valley if it puts you over 400ft, even for a minute. Such is life I guess. Thanks for your responses. Best, Frank.

its all relative to your location i fly a lot in hills and valleys and its just a matter of knowing your take off altitude and then as you descend into the valley you will know if you e are as near as possible to the 400 ft AGL rule the chances of someone having a accurate altimeter that can measure your height from where they are ,are remote at best and very unlikely in practice
because i have an ordanance map that give my height above sea level,i am able to know within reason how deep a area i am flying in is you will never be able to be exactly no more than 400 ft AGL, you can only do your best, and if you are taken to task then you can demonstrate that you tried to stay within the spirit of the rules

 

[Capt KO]

Yup, okay , but it all contributes to confusion because now it would be illegal to fly over a ravine or a valley if it puts you over 400ft, even for a minute. Such is life I guess. Thanks for your responses. Best, Frank.

As long as your drone is within 400' of the mountainside, you are legal. No matter how far below. Flying up or down from takeoff point, same. Careful of losing enough satellites for GPS lock. Have fun, look out below!