Most efficient way to fly(like MPG on a car)Mavic 2 Pro

[offtheback]

What speed is the most efficient for flying time?For instance,when getting a drone back to takeoff spot when you've ignored low battery warning.

 

[Not A Speck Of Cereal]

The best possible technique to use here is to return to home without ignoring low battery warning.

You can do estimations by looking at your distance from home point and make your own calculations (same distance to return), but you can be bit by longer return times when you hit a head wind (or anything else that uses more battery, such as avoiding an obstacle or dive-bombing bird) and find the aircraft landing very far from HP when it force lands at critical low battery levels.

So I've learned to not put myself in that situation. Thankfully, we have TWO levels of low-battery warnings that keep me from doing that.

Chris

 

[offtheback]

The best possible technique to use here is to return to home without ignoring low battery warning.

You can do estimations by looking at your distance from home point and make your own calculations (same distance to return), but you can be bit by longer return times when you hit a head wind (or anything else that uses more battery, such as avoiding an obstacle or dive-bombing bird) and find the aircraft landing very far from HP when it force lands at critical low battery levels.

So I've learned to not put myself in that situation. Thankfully, we have TWO levels of low-battery warnings that keep me from doing that.

Chris

Thanks Chris.I don't ignore it but was curious as to what the most efficient speed is.

 

[MS Coast]

Thanks Chris.I don't ignore it but was curious as to what the most efficient speed is.

This question of the best speed for maximum range has come up several times in the last few years. I recall that what has appeared to be the most substantiated answer has always been the maximum speed range in normal mode.

 

[Cafguy]

Your throttle is like a straw. Drink quickly or sip often and No more coke for you!
Very slight movements with a constant speed. Not to fast...Not to slow.... You kinda have to feel it. There is no good speed for conserving batteries really..
If you have to use the throttle to stay flying then you are eating Battery Fast, Every movement of the throttle or any control really no matter how slight is an extra sip of soda, adding to what you are already drinking by the motors simply running.
Just watch the battery remaining BUT Don't treat it as a Gas gauge!!
If you really want to know and this will depend on alot of factors but look at the speed your drone is using in its return to home. The Drone is programmed to use the most efficient way to get home..including throttle movements.

 

[MS Coast]

...look at the speed your drone is using in its return to home. The Drone is programmed to use the most efficient way to get home.

Excellent point. I'll look forward to comparing the RTH speed to the max normal mode speed.

 

[Not A Speck Of Cereal]

The Drone is programmed to use the most efficient way to get home..including throttle movements.

Yes but, it will do those calculations without knowing the difference in wind speed for the return trip, which is one of the reasons why our return warnings have buffer time.

 

[Meta4]

What speed is the most efficient for flying time?For instance,when getting a drone back to takeoff spot when you've ignored low battery warning.

This has been tested many times and the speed that will give the most miles/battery is max speed in Normal Mode.

look at the speed your drone is using in its return to home. The Drone is programmed to use the most efficient way to get home..including throttle movements.

If you are referring to the drone's speed in auto RTH, this is a myth.
Speed in RTH Mode is slower than the speed for best "fuel economy" and in a critical case could result in the drone running out of battery before getting all the way back to home.

 

[MS Coast]

Yes but, it will do those calculations without knowing the difference in wind speed for the return trip, which is one of the reasons why our return warnings have buffer time.

The optimum airspeed for maximum range isn't affected by what the airmass is doing.

 

[MS Coast]

This has been tested many times and the speed that will give the most miles/battery is max speed in Normal Mode.

If you are referring to the drone's speed in auto RTH, this is a myth.
Speed in RTH Mode is slower than the speed for best "fuel economy" and in a critical case could result in the drone running out of battery before getting all the way back to home.

I flew the Mavic 3 Pro this evening and compared speed between RTH and full speed in normal mode. I ran each long enough for the speed to stabilize, in the same direction, over a saltmarsh.

The speeds were essentially equal. Speed during RTH varied a bit, between 32.9 mph and 33.4 mph. With full power in normal mode, speed was more stable at 33.3 to 33.4 mph.

 

[offtheback]

This has been tested many times and the speed that will give the most miles/battery is max speed in Normal Mode.

If you are referring to the drone's speed in auto RTH, this is a myth.
Speed in RTH Mode is slower than the speed for best "fuel economy" and in a critical case could result in the drone running out of battery before getting all the way back to home.

Thank you!I

 

[Army Vet]

Just a point. Hovering uses more battery power than flying in any direction except climbing of course. Hmm not sure about descending. So, never stand still. Always yank and bank

 

[PHZ]

What speed is the most efficient for flying time?For instance,when getting a drone back to takeoff spot when you've ignored low battery warning.

One last point which I am surprised no one has made. Before takeoff, as a component of your checklist, set your return to home altitude to as low as is safe. Wasting battery by climbing to an unneeded altitude is going to take time and energy.

 

[Nanny Ogg]

I have noticed that the rate of discharge is not linear. The first 50% of discharge is slower than the last 50% so best not to try to cut it too close.