Still new to flying drones and had a quick question. I usually take off around 7,500 ft elevation, and about 1.5 km to the west there’s a mountain range that sits around 8,500 ft.
I set my drone (Air 3S) to its max height limit. I thought it would stay 400 ft above ground level as I flew — but it seems like it just sticks to the launch point’s height?
So even when I fly toward the mountains, I can’t actually get over them — it says I’ve hit the max height already. Am I missing something here?
The drone only knows how high it is from where it took off. It doesn’t measure actual height above ground as you fly. That’s on you to figure out. No feedback or auto-correct for AGL.
Indigo said:
The drone only knows how high it is from where it took off. It doesn’t measure actual height above ground as you fly. That’s on you to figure out. No feedback or auto-correct for AGL.
Got it. So the max height I set is based on the takeoff spot? Like if I take off at 7,000 ft and set the limit to 1,000 ft, then I’d max out at 8,000 ft, even if I’m flying over higher terrain?
@Camden
Exactly. The ‘max height’ you set is from launch. So if you tell it 1,000 ft, that’s 1,000 ft above your launch spot — no matter what’s below you later on. The drone has no idea what the terrain is doing underneath it.
Altitude doesn’t mean much to the drone unless you hit physical limits (like not flying above 9,500 ft elevation, or being in a restricted zone). You’re the one who has to judge whether you’re 400 ft AGL or not — the drone won’t stop you unless you’ve set a limit yourself.
@Ali
So that 500-meter limit is really based on where you launch from, not on how high the ground is below as you go?
Camden said:
@Ali
So that 500-meter limit is really based on where you launch from, not on how high the ground is below as you go?
Yep — when you take off, that point is 0 ft. If you fly up 400 ft, that’s your height. But if you fly over a hill that’s already 100 ft higher than your takeoff, your drone can now be 500 ft AGL and it won’t know. The drone doesn’t update altitude as you move across terrain — it’s on you to know where the ground is.
@Ali
I fly around a mountain pass that’s over 10,000 ft. Just need to fly carefully and know your limits. It’s doable.
@Camden
Yep, that’s right.
Also remember to keep visual line of sight (VLOS). You have to see the drone and know which way it’s facing without binoculars or anything. Once you’re at a slant range of 1,000 meters or so, even in clear air, it gets hard. I fly an Air 3S too, and about 1 mile out can be tough to keep track of visually.
Depends what country you’re in. In the U.S., the 400 ft rule is above the ground directly below the drone. In other places (like the EU), they sometimes measure from the nearest point of terrain — so the rules can change depending on where you fly.