Hello guys,

I will be out on a trip with my drone and I am planning to fly it over the ocean. I am not sure if I am suppose to turn off or leave the downward VPS on. I won't fly it very low or high. I need your advice on what techniques or what settings to save when flying over water.

I don't know what the official word is on this, but I fly over water all the time and have never turned the sensor off, as long as you're not going VERY low (eg down to the height where it might think you're trying to land), it should be fine!

I personally leave the sensors on (to avoid sea gulls etc) but fly at 50-400' up in VLOS when over large bodies of water. If you fly below 50' the VPS will start to activate and this has been known to cause problems for some - as in never seeing their drone again!

A CW Posted at 2018-1-15 10:29
I personally leave the sensors on (to avoid sea gulls etc) but fly at 50-400' up in VLOS when over large bodies of water. If you fly below 50' the VPS will start to activate and this has been known to cause problems for some - as in never seeing their drone again!

I've done sweeping shots along lake and river banks/"through" reeds at around 4m (12ft) and it's been absolutely fine and a joy to fly and film - that was before I followed the conversations on here and became a slightly more nervous MP pilot, I might be more cautious now though!

damoUK Posted at 2018-1-15 10:27
I don't know what the official word is on this, but I fly over water all the time and have never turned the sensor off, as long as you're not going VERY low (eg down to the height where it might think you're trying to land), it should be fine!

Thank you! I will keep that in mind. I always fly my drone within LOS to avoid any mishap.

A CW Posted at 2018-1-15 10:29
I personally leave the sensors on (to avoid sea gulls etc) but fly at 50-400' up in VLOS when over large bodies of water. If you fly below 50' the VPS will start to activate and this has been known to cause problems for some - as in never seeing their drone again!

Thank you! I will keep that in mind. I always fly my drone within LOS to avoid any mishap.

damoUK Posted at 2018-1-15 10:33
I've done sweeping shots along lake and river banks/"through" reeds at around 4m (12ft) and it's been absolutely fine and a joy to fly and film - that was before I followed the conversations on here and became a slightly more nervous MP pilot, I might be more cautious now though!

Drone flying is intrinsically linked to balancing out risks every second you are airborne. You could fly one inch off the surface of the sea a mile away but I wouldn't recommend it LOL

IceBox-Murdock Posted at 2018-1-15 10:33
Thank you! I will keep that in mind. I always fly my drone within LOS to avoid any mishap.

You can still get mishaps with LOS though it does reduce the risks, but you should always fly in LOS as (in most places) it's the rules!

Alright another Fying over water thread.
Really doesn't matter if they are on or off. The Mavic isn't choosy when landing in the drink.

I've flown a ton of miles over water and yes leave the sensors on. Not an issue for me.

rolling56 Posted at 2018-1-15 15:28
Alright another Fying over water thread.
Really doesn't matter if they are on or off. The Mavic isn't choosy when landing in the drink.

DOH!!

Turning off vps is the old days. Phantom 1,2,3. Not so much now.