"Can I fly my drone in … ?" is the start to a common question many new drone pilots ask. Whether you're wondering about the cold, heat, wind, or rain, we'll go over how to learn if your drone can withstand the elements, and what kind of impact different weather conditions can have on it while it’s in the air.
On a Good Day
A bright and sunny day, mild temperatures, with barely a breeze. What I just described is the best weather for most drones to fly and film in. However, most days aren’t remotely as idyllic as that. So, how bad can it get before your flight is cancelled? That really depends on the drone itself, but even though drones are engineered to be as compact and lightweight as possible, many are a lot tougher than you think. To see how yours stacks up to the elements, check the specifications in your manual. The phrases you're looking for are "IP Rating", "Wind Resistance", and "Operational Conditions". Let's go over what they mean and why they're important.
Pushing the Limits
Before we get into these specifications, it's worth noting that they’re all maximum values, and we highly recommend you fly within them and not push your drone to the edge of them. The combination of weather and your drone's current physical condition can vary from day to day and during a flight, so regardless of what the numbers say, it's smart to practice a "Safety First" mentality. You likely own the best tool to help with this. Pull out your phone, open your favorite weather app, and plan ahead. Remember to pay close attention to the hourly forecasts for sudden changes during the times you'll be flying.
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IP Rating: These ratings are set by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) and consist of two numbers from 0-9 (some companies use an "X" instead of a "0"). The first digit represents the drone's resistance to solid foreign objects, and the second refers to water. The higher the number, the greater the protection, with a "0” (or "X") offering no protection at all. As an example, IP64 means your drone is dust-tight but can only handle a splash of water, while IP69 on the other hand, means your drone can withstand being submerged. Use the number as an indicator and check your documentation for specific resistances.
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Wind Resistance: This one is simple. The value is the maximum wind speed the drone can fly in. When checking the weather, make a note of what the wind speed can gust to. The last thing you want is a sudden gust to hand the controls over to Mother Nature.
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Operational Conditions: This relates to the temperature limits the drone can safely fly in. Thankfully, these are usually large ranges and you'll likely not be flying near either extreme. However, one tip worth remembering is that battery life can be negatively affected by extreme heat, so keep an eye on those readings.
It's so important that it bears repeating—safety first! We can't stress this enough. Do not push your drone or test your piloting skills in rough weather conditions where property and people are at risk. With that said, we hope we have helped you better understand how exactly the elements can affect your drone when flying outdoors, and why keeping an eye on the weather is so important as a pilot. If you have any tips of your own, please share them below!
