Besides the obvious risk of water landings and high winds. Is there any special cleaning I should do to the drone after flying in that salty/sandy air? I just got my drone a few weeks ago and realize I have a thousand questions haha.

I flew mine at the weekend on the beach no issues so no nothing special unless you plan on ditching it To make the sand less of an issue try and not take off with it sat on the sand and hand catch it. This would stop the sand being blown up into the motors and body.

If taking off or landing on a sandy beach, buy or make yourself a snazzy landing pad.


It's better than taking the chance of getting grit in the motors. ;-)


RedHotPoker

Thanks! I figure I'll try and take off on concrete and then fly over the beach.

Just keep in mind that consistent exposure to the salty air can cause any exposed screws to rust sooner. Even though there aren't a lot of exposed screws, a good wipe down should help maintain the unit.

CXK Posted at 2017-4-4 15:02
Thanks! I figure I'll try and take off on concrete and then fly over the beach.

Take care. Some concrete can play havoc with your compass.

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2017-4-4 22:28
Just keep in mind that consistent exposure to the salty air can cause any exposed screws to rust sooner. Even though there aren't a lot of exposed screws, a good wipe down should help maintain the unit.

Are you implying that the screws are NOT stainless steel? If they are not, then why aren't they?

m1shootr Posted at 2017-4-5 06:04
Are you implying that the screws are NOT stainless steel? If they are not, then why aren't they?

Even stainless steel can rust from the exposure of seawater for extensive amounts of time if left unchecked. It is less susceptible to rusting in general, but it's not 100% when it's not taken care of for months. If you are someone who goes to the beach once and a while, then you're probably not going to have to baby it to that extent. If you're someone who plans to fly regularly at the beach with a lot of low shots, however, then you would want to keep an eye on it.

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2017-4-5 09:19
Even stainless steel can rust from the exposure of seawater for extensive amounts of time if left unchecked. It is less susceptible to rusting in general, but it's not 100% when it's not taken care of for months. If you are someone who goes to the beach once and a while, then you're probably not going to have to baby it to that extent. If you're someone who plans to fly regularly at the beach with a lot of low shots, however, then you would want to keep an eye on it.

SO, may I be more specific? Are these or are they not Stainless Steel? Since you seem to want to play word games. Please do not forget that I am the consumer here. I suppose I'll take a magnet to them and answer my own question.

I have flown my drones at 2 different ocean beaches and my only precautions were to launch from my case and hand catch. I wipe down the drone every now and then anyway due to bug splatter but I didn't do any special cleaning after the beach flights.

Take off on your case or something similar away from the sand, bench, seat etc and then hand catch when landing.  Avoid the sand at all costs.

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2017-4-5 09:19
Even stainless steel can rust from the exposure of seawater for extensive amounts of time if left unchecked. It is less susceptible to rusting in general, but it's not 100% when it's not taken care of for months. If you are someone who goes to the beach once and a while, then you're probably not going to have to baby it to that extent. If you're someone who plans to fly regularly at the beach with a lot of low shots, however, then you would want to keep an eye on it.

Haven't thought much about this sort of scenario, but perhaps dabbing some Vaseline over each screw hole prior to such flights? May seem a little extreme, but if anyone is that worried that should do the trick.

m1shootr Posted at 2017-4-6 09:38
SO, may I be more specific? Are these or are they not Stainless Steel? Since you seem to want to play word games. Please do not forget that I am the consumer here. I suppose I'll take a magnet to them and answer my own question.

No, they are not stainless.
And a magnet would not tell you for sure if they were or not. Type 304 stainless, (slightly harder than 18-8) is drawn to a magnet and can rust slightly.
I have seen no specs or claims by anyone that DJI hardware is stainless though.