Winter has finally arrived! The landscapes have become totally white and the trees are covered with snow. And now you want to capture these different sceneries. Whether you are an amateur or an experienced drone pilot, winter is often known for it’s magical landscapes and scenes. However, flying your drone in cold weather can quickly become complicated. Indeed, certain things such as: the decrease in battery capacity, negative temperatures and numb hands can have a significant negative impact on your flight. These many obstacles may discourage you from flying your quadcopter in cold or even sub-zero temperatures. Our center of expertise has some advice and answers for you!
Puis-je faire voler mon drone en hiver ? Et fonctionne-t-il par temps de froid ?
As you can see, the answer is yes, but only under certain conditions, and only if you take the time to prepare your flight properly. First of all, let’s take a look at a few cases: cold-weather flying and cold-weather flying in the snow.
Flying in cold weather, but without snow.
In winter, depending on the time of year, the snow may not yet have appeared. However, temperatures can still be close to or below 0°C. Most consumer drones are designed to operate at full capacity in a temperature range of 0°C to 40°C, however it is not impossible to fly them in sub-zero temperatures.
To do so, you will have to respect these safety instructions and especially take good care of your batteries, before, during and after the flight. Indeed, temperatures below 15°C increase the internal resistance of the battery of your drone. This will cause a decrease in the discharge capacity and an increase in the voltage drop during discharge. In other words, if your battery voltage drops sharply during flight, you won’t be able to enjoy high flying speed at maximum thrust. Also, if you continue to fly with a low battery, you run the risk of crashing your drone.
Flying in cold weather with snow.
It is possible to fly your drone over a snowy landscape, but it is good to know that certain climatic conditions such as: snow or frost can alter different sensors (anti-collision, IMU …) of your drone. This can have a direct impact on the flight control and therefore the stability of your drone. In addition, snow or large frozen areas bring a strong reflectivity that can strongly disturb obstacle detectors: your drone may stop abruptly when flying too close to a snow/ice covered area.
The frost also brings its share of limitations as it can fix itself on the propellers, the engines, the sensors and the nacelle of your drone. Indeed, the more you tend to go up in altitude, the more the humidity that is present in the air or in the clouds will tend to settle on your drone. With sub-zero or low temperatures, it is very easy to understand that this humidity can turn, little by little, into frost, thus endangering the proper functioning of your drone.
Can I fly my drone in the rain?
Most consumer drones are not designed to withstand humidity and water ingress, making them highly inadvisable for use in the rain. Internal electronic components, such as the motherboard and sensors, can be damaged by prolonged contact with water. Even a fine mist can cause long-term problems, including corrosion and short circuits.
However, some industrial and professional drones have a specific protection rating (IP) that enables them to fly in rain or harsh weather conditions. For example, an IP45 or IP55-certified drone can withstand light showers or dust, while higher IP standards guarantee greater resistance to the elements.
Before considering a flight in the rain, it’s essential to check the manufacturer’s specifications and make sure that the equipment is designed to withstand these conditions. If in doubt, postpone the flight to avoid permanent damage to the drone.
How does temperature affect drones and their batteries?
Before going into more detail on this subject, and as previously mentioned, the batteries of your drone and the cold do not really mix! It is therefore essential to protect your batteries from the effect of cold on their capacity. It is important to know that most of the current drone batteries are lithium (LiPo = Lithium polymer), which means that they work by chemical reactions to produce electric current. In cold weather and low temperatures, the chemical reactions necessary for the production of electricity are therefore slowed down. The capacity of the battery in flight will therefore decrease.
Properly charge and store these batteries
To ensure your drone flight in cold weather, it is important to make sure your batteries are fully charged before using them. The same applies to your controller batteries, or even those of your cell phone and/or tablet.
Another important aspect is that your batteries must be in perfect condition: no visible damage, no cracks or even swollen. Before installing your batteries, make sure they are warm enough. If necessary, it is possible that your drone (especially for the most recent ones) warns you with an error message on your remote control. This will prevent you from taking off. If your battery is cold to the touch, it will also be too cold for your drone, so don’t hesitate to preheat it before installing it.
OUR ADVICE:
- To ensure that your batteries are fully charged (i.e. 100%) before your cold weather flight session, we recommend that you recharge them only 24 hours before you go out. The later the better. We do not advise you to take off in cold weather if your battery indicates less than 90% of charge.
- During the journey to your spot, we advise you to put your batteries in a fabric pocket (a sock or a glove can totally do the trick) and keep them as close to you as possible.
- To preheat your battery so that it is more than 15°C before installing it in your drone, we advise you to turn it on some time before installing it so that it is at the right temperature. If this is not enough, run the drone’s engines for a few moments (2/3 minutes) at low speed.
Prepare your drone for flight
As explained above, during this type of mission, frost and snow are real enemies and can influence the piloting of your drone. It is therefore very important to take the time to prepare and adjust your drone properly before takeoff. Once the battery is fully charged and at a suitable temperature, take the time to wipe off any moisture that may be present on your drone, leaving no stone unturned. Also take the opportunity to check the camera lens: temperature variations can cause the lens to fog up, which will affect the quality of your shot.
Also, calibrate your quadricopter’s IMU and compass before taking off and activate the obstacle detectors. Take this opportunity to adjust your camera and install your polarizing or CPL filter if necessary.
OUR ADVICE:
- Once your quadricopter has been physically checked, wipe and dry it thoroughly, then switch it on. A warm-up of your drone for about 1 minute before take-off is strongly recommended to make sure that everything is in order.
- The last thing to check is that the camera lens is not fogged: to clear the fog, switch on the camera.
How high can you fly your drone?
The flight altitude of a drone is a crucial factor, especially in cold weather. In general, regulations limit the altitude to 120 meters above ground level. However, this height can vary according to weather conditions and local legislation. For example, in Canada, the maximum altitude is 400 feet (~122 meters), which can be increased to 100 feet above a building if the drone is operated within 200 feet horizontally of the structure.
It’s essential to note that cold weather can affect your drone’s autonomy. Indeed, at high altitudes where air pressure is low, your drone’s motors will have to turn faster to produce sufficient lift, reducing flight time. Cold also has a real influence on the autonomy of our machines. For example, at a temperature of 25°C, 800mA must be consumed to trigger the failsafe, at 0°C the same safety system is activated after 500mA, and at -10°C only 300mA can be used before the failsafe is activated.
Keep in mind that precision drones can reach altitudes of over 20,000 feet. However, these drones are generally reserved for professional use and are subject to stricter regulations. Finally, bear in mind that extreme weather conditions can affect the safety and opportunity to fly your drone. It is therefore advisable to avoid flying in extreme conditions or bad weather.
Flight: from take-off to landing
You’ve done the takeoff and you need to start thinking about your shots. Still with the aim of preserving your battery from the cold, you can make a hover of more or less 1 minute to completely preheat the battery. During your flights, it is imperative to always keep an eye on the current state of the battery: its temperature and its voltage. It is strongly recommended not to fly if the battery voltage drops below 3.2 volts. Also, when your battery charge drops below 30%, remember to bring your quadcopter back to you, to avoid any problems. Below 20% of battery, you risk strongly to jeopardize your equipment. Indeed, your drone may not have enough power to return. It is therefore important to always keep a watchful eye on your drone and its behavior in the air.
During the flight, you will most likely be subject to sudden voltage drops caused by low temperatures! Fly calmly, for shorter durations than usual, and don’t overload the engines. For your own safety, avoid any stalls your drone might suffer. Slow movements will save you some battery power. If possible, avoid climbing to high altitudes and remain in medium altitudes. Indeed, the higher you are in the sky, the more the temperature will decrease which will directly impact your battery. Also avoid too low altitudes, especially in snowy weather, the reverberation could play tricks on the sensors of your drone!
After mentioning the precautions to take for your equipment, you will be confronted with another challenge: exposed body parts freezing. Indeed, during these climatic conditions, the fingers tend to go numb or even freeze, in extreme cases. This new setting may affect control of your device and your ability to intervene in emergency situations.
Pilots must therefore make sure they wear sufficiently warm and wind-resistant equipment when working in these conditions. When flying in icy or snowy environments, pilots can wear protective goggles to avoid eye damage caused by light reflection. For the most difficult conditions, you can also perform from inside the car to avoid shivering and loss of senses.
OUR ADVICE:
- Provide a take-off and landing strip. Often orange in color, they will be very visible in the snow.
- Listen to your equipment: if an error message or warning appears on your screen, land as soon as possible.
- After completing your flight, check and wipe down your drone and store it in a dry and temperate place. Low temperature environments can accelerate the aging of your equipment.
Are DJI drones more resistant to cold than other drone brands?
Professional drones, such as the DJI Matrice 400.
DJI is renowned for the quality of its drones. But what about their resistance to cold? Are DJI drones more resistant to low temperatures than other brands?
From the information available, it would appear that most DJI drones are capable of stable operation in cold weather. The
In other words, regardless of brand, all drones are subject to the same problems when it comes to the cold. Low temperatures can affect the operation of batteries, which are generally powered by lithium cells.
Recreational drones, such as the DJI Mini 5 Pro.
With the DJI Mini 5 Pro, DJI once again redefines the standards of the compact drone. Weighing less than 250 grams, this model retains the portability and ease of use that have made the range so successful, while incorporating major improvements in performance, autonomy and safety.
With wind resistance of up to 12 m/s and a flight time of up to 36 minutes, the Mini 5 Pro offers outstanding stability, even in slightly windy conditions. Its omnidirectional detection system and intelligent flight functions (automatic tracking, programmed trajectories, dynamic framing) make it easy for both novice and experienced users to capture smooth, professional shots.
Designed to operate in temperatures ranging from -10°C to +40°C, the Mini 5 Pro adapts to most environments, but it is still advisable to avoid extreme conditions to preserve battery life and ensure optimum flight.
With this new generation, DJI takes miniaturization even further, without compromise: 1-inch sensor, improved light management, enhanced video transmission and optimized stabilization. All in all, the Mini 5 Pro is the ideal tool for those seeking the perfect balance between portability, performance and creativity.
The final word and advice?
Flying at low temperatures or in snowy conditions is therefore possible with a drone, but you should always bear in mind that cold is no friend of batteries. If you’re just starting to fly a drone and you’re not yet very comfortable with your device, we suggest you avoid endangering yourself or your quadricopter by attempting a flight session in cold weather.
Remember, too, not to put too much strain on your drone in low-temperature conditions, and prefer smooth flight with slow movements, always keeping an eye on the state of your battery.
If you’d like to find out more about how to keep your batteries safe and in good condition, take a look at our article: All the tips you need to increase drone battery life.