Flying a drone in extreme cold

[Robson Valley]

Next time I find him, I'll talk to the drone pilot who documented the rennovations to my house roof.
I'm sure he has winter flying experience.

Just imagine the drone dying in the air. It comes down like a brick into 3 feet of fluffy fresh snow.
How do you find it before spring?

 

[Dave]

Could be very good for checking out potential campsites. Stick it in your freezer overnight, turn it up to -18, then take it outside and give it a go.

off topic.
[I placed two new large rolls of cellophaned kitchen roll in the freezer last night. Cant even remember doing it. Cognitive deterioration due to disease]

 

[dewi]

The idea of talking to a pilot who's flown in those conditions turns out to be a goldmine of information... everything is in the preparation and deployment, and the Phantom mentioned above should do the job.

Keeping the batteries warm is key, and ensuring not to fly in certain conditions.

Looked into a commercial drone... I can hire one for a relatively low cost, but to buy one would cost in excess of £10k. Considering what I want to use it for, it would be cheaper to rent a helicopter for 2 hours and do a flyby.

 

[Caerleon]

Dewi - the phantom II has some safety features built in which I simply can't see allowing it to fall from the sky like a brick especially if you can actually see the light indicator on the drone. If your at the North Wood meet 9th Nov I could bring it along and you are more than welcome to have a play.

 

[dewi]

I would be very grateful if you could... I have a lot to learn before the end of Jan next year.

Does the Phantom maintain position in moderately high winds? I know what the specs say, but always better to ask someone who actually uses it.

 

[Caerleon]

No probs I will bring it along. Moderate wind at low level would be find (gps lock I think allows circa 1mtr drift) but obviously moderate wind low down would mean stronger higher up so not too sure. But if it's in open country you could drop it the moment you felt it was detouring. I haven't played with the drone much this year so out of practise - You might be aware of another piece of kit called FatShark goggles? Not cheap (circa 270 GBP) but a great bit of kit nonetheless to compliment the experience.

 

[Nomad64]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-37761872

 

[scarfell]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-37761872

Oops

This is happening allot, hefty fines in some places too

 

[dewi]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-37761872

I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to say?

 

[Wayne]

I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to say?

Simple if you take your toy to Sweden the police are going to lock you up in a cold dark room. drones with cameras are no longer allowed unless licensed that applies to visiting bushcraft types too.

 

[Robson Valley]

The only Cdn drone pilot I know has just upgraded with his aerial surveyor's license.
He said it isn't cold enough to get any idea of winter performance.. . . . . later.

 

[dewi]

Simple if you take your toy to Sweden the police are going to lock you up in a cold dark room. drones with cameras are no longer allowed unless licensed that applies to visiting bushcraft types too.

I can fill out the L1777 form, get a temporary licence as a foreign national and I'll be good to go.

There is a slim chance they could say no, but given the area I'll be flying I doubt they'll refuse it.

We're not so far off a similar law being passed here, probably why the CCA have an approved qualification now.

 

[Wayne]

I can fill out the L1777 form, get a temporary licence as a foreign national and I'll be good to go.

There is a slim chance they could say no, but given the area I'll be flying I doubt they'll refuse it.

We're not so far off a similar law being passed here, probably why the CCA have an approved qualification now.

Sadly idiots often spoil the fun of responsible people. I'm looking forward to seeing the images from one of my favourite parts of the world.

 

[dewi]

Very true... I can see why the authorities are worried. Seriously considering taking the CAA qualification next year though, the course looks to be good fun. Very tempted to do another axe making course or maybe a knife making course as well.

I've got the form, so I may as well apply before I buy a better drone. Don't mind the form to be honest, no different than applying for the other stuff over there... rules are rules.

 

[Robson Valley]

Had a chat with my drone pilot aquaintence. He's flying for money so has a big drone.
It has object avoidance software. At night, it has "come home" GPS as well.
He uses an app in his phone for control and to see what the drone sees.

He just laughed as he claims that his phone battery will die in the cold (-22C tops here today), long before the drone will.
The drone will auto-return home before dying as well.
He figures that's the general problem in the cold = the controller will die first.

 

[Robson Valley]

My drone pilot aquaintence is flying a Phantom 3 or 4 ( I think.)
He covered some motor cooling vents and did 15 minutes last night at -27C.
The only thing near dying were his hands.