Just did a hover in my living room on my very new Mavic Air, used only RC control with no phone attached, no wind, and vision sensors turned off.  

16:36.

Nowhere near the reported "up to" 21 minute flight time.  I am not sure how the conditions could be any better to get optimum battery life because I am new to non-toy drones, but I am definitley dissapointed.  I was expecting at least 18-19 minutes or more.  

I guess I can only really count on 15 minutes, 8-10 minutes out and 5-7 for enough time to head to home in order to land safely.

I should have known not to expect what is advertised.

A DRONE is just like a helicopter ,hovering in NO wind needs more power and even with wind hovering requires more energy than forward flight due to the lack of lift! that being said ,dji 21 min might be in slow forward flight IMHO.

Constant forward speed at 15MPH to get a max 21 minutes - landing on a critical battery level. In real time expect 16-18 minutes flying. I get 25 minutes on average with my MPP - max is 30.

hobbydroner Posted at 2018-2-11 02:57
A DRONE is just like a helicopter ,hovering in NO wind needs more power and even with wind hovering requires more energy than forward flight due to the lack of lift! that being said ,dji 21 min might be in slow forward flight IMHO.

Thanks for the insight!

hobbydroner Posted at 2018-2-11 02:57
A DRONE is just like a helicopter ,hovering in NO wind needs more power and even with wind hovering requires more energy than forward flight due to the lack of lift! that being said ,dji 21 min might be in slow forward flight IMHO.

Ok, that is interesting that forward motion reduces energy use, I was curious about that.

Thanks!

DPANDJ Posted at 2018-2-11 08:22
Ok, that is interesting that forward motion reduces energy use, I was curious about that.

Thanks!

You are welcome.I have some knowledge about Lift vs Weight and thrust vs Drag...I used to fly real helicopters. Your drone also need to fight against weight and drag. That is the universal s law !

the MA website clearly says the mentioned flight time is "Acquired at a constant speed of 25 kph, free of wind. Actual flight time may vary because of the environment and use of flight modes."

The humidity and height over the sea in which the flight is made,  has also a major impact on flight time.

Regards Leif.

I get 14 mins of flight time on the mavic air

fans4f99130a Posted at 2018-3-26 11:49
I get 14 mins of flight time on the mavic air

same here around 14-15min. My MP flies longer. Still love the little MA

Good call and thanks for rising this. I will look forward to hear DJI's statement on the subject.