Ship Captain turned Drone Pilot

sailor112 · Mar 8, 2025

Good Morning Everyone,

I need some advice. I currently have a DJI mini 2 SE. I have flown it for years and enjoyed the heck out of it. That being said it is time to upgrade.

A little background on myself, I am a Captain on American Flagged Oil Tankers that mostly operate in Alaska and often go to some incredible places where not many people ever go. My company will let me stay onboard when I am relieved by the other captain, so I can fly my drone and get footage to send to our marketing department. When I am home, I live in the Rocky Mountains and enjoy riding my dirtbikes, snowmobiles, mountain bikes, going camping with my wife, backpacking, hiking, and skiing. My drone goes and does all these things with us. I have my part 107, and all my flying is done within the United States.

For my editing platform I have a Macbook Pro with the M4 Pro chip. I use Adobe Premier Pro for my editing software. (this changes a lot, but I enjoy learning new things.)

The following is what my drone will be utilized for and are my must haves:

I do a lot of flying over water, and often take off/land while moving. (I know it is risky, but I have done this for years now) A lot of this flying is done in a decent amount of wind.
Must have Active Track
I would like the highest video/picture quality I can get

All this being said, I am very sold on the Mavic 3 Pro with the DJI RCPro Controller. It seems to have the size I need to fly in the elements, as well as the quality I am seeking. My only qualm about it is the size and the ability to bring it with me when I go ride my dirtbike, or go hiking etc...

Does anyone have any insight as to this or any advice? It seems almost impossible to get the Air3S, and I need to get a new drone within the month as I have some really cool trips coming up.

Chrislaf · Mar 8, 2025

The Mavic 3 Pro is a great choice and with the three cameras you will have options for photography/video.

I hike, bike, Nordic ski, and snowshoe with my Mavic 3 Pro all the time. I use modular cases for the drone and RC Pro and put them in regular backpacks, photo backpacks, or shoulder bags depending on what I am doing. I keep the batteries separate in a battery bag.

Here’s the case I have for my drone and have a similar one for the RC Pro.

Chris

Ex Coelis · Mar 8, 2025

Chrislaf said:
The Mavic 3 Pro is a great choice and with the three cameras you will have options for photography/video.

I hike, bike, Nordic ski, and snowshoe with my Mavic 3 Pro all the time. I use modular cases for the drone and RC Pro and put them in regular backpacks, photo backpacks, or shoulder bags depending on what I am doing. I keep the batteries separate in a battery bag.

Here’s the case I have for my drone and have a similar one for the RC Pro.

Chris

View attachment 181343

Nice case! Can I ask where you got it?

Chrislaf · Mar 8, 2025

Ex Coelis said:
Nice case! Can I ask where you got it?

Amazon.ca

Chris

samysys · Mar 16, 2025

hi captain~

I think Mavic 3 Pro is a good choice. But please be reminded that in terms of rain proof capacity, mavic 3 series is not that impressive as there are ventilation vents on the top of the body and rain easier get in and short circuit the circuit board (don''t ask me why I know lol).

I have tried old good P4P in very heavy rain and even Mavic 2 series and both work fine but from my limited experience, Mavic 3 seems to perform worst in this particular area.

A simple solution is to cover the vents with duct tape in case of raining, but doing that regularly/long time may result in overheating.

P.S.: I know it is not supposed to fly drone in rain or exceeding its factory recommended condition and I am not recommending recreational pilot do to this. Bearing in mind the OP is Captain on American Flagged Oil Tankers that mostly operate in Alaska, I think this is a piece of information he would be interested.

P.S. 2: I strongly suspect @Phantomrain.org would jump in to reply any seconds now.... In fact, I just wonder why he hasn't yet~ lol~

Phantomrain.org · Mar 20, 2025

As someone who flys the Mavic 3 in the Rain , you cannot just put duct tape over the top vent as water will still find it way in.

This is why the Mavic 3 wet suits have a 3 Part System just for the top vent.

Duct Tape also leaves heavy Residue when it gets wet, that is no good for that top vent. Dont do it.

In order to safely fly in the Pouring Rain you need the Top vent , side vents , Power button and Battery an sensors to be protected , thus the reason why we made the Mavic 3 Wet Suits .