Here some tips from some who flies 50% over water. (I happen to live outside a lake, so I use it to fly over without endangering any person). 1. Never fly out with the wind is blowing toward the sea, so your copter will have no problem to come back to you. 2. If you ever have to emergency land, try to get the nearest shore/island. The phantom is better in a tree than at the bottom. 3. If you start from a ship, never do it alone. Have someone hold the copter and release it. 4. Ship start 2: Use the copter in attitude mode, so it won't try to compensate immediately after starts, but keep some speed of the boat. Switch to GPS later 5. Ship start 3: try to clear of the ship as quick as possible. Up, forward and side at the same time. 6. Ship while flying, update you homeport regularly, so that copter will fly back to a pot near you, in case of problems. Even if the boat is at still, it will drift. 7. Ship landing: Make the boat go a slow as possible, and have an assistant catch the drone 8. Waterfalls: There are lot of turbulence near a water fall.

Tom. Just want to thank you for all of your how-to videos and more importantly, your reasonable approaches to learning. Thanks so much!

"Stay away from lighthouses " *shows awesome clip flying next to lighthouse* Haha sweet tips anyways!

Great tips - especially Course Lock. I would add for launching from a boat, or any uneven terrain, if you have a friend with you do a handheld launch. Some will say this is unsafe, but it's safer than walking across a road if you do it properly. Have them hold the Phantom by the landing skids, above their head (before you even start the motors), and tell them to not let go of the Phantom until they feel the motors pull the landing skids out of their hands, and then gently let go. I do this with my son all the time and have never had a problem. I do want to emphasize that you should not start the motors until your helper is holding the Phantom as far above their own head as they can reach for safety's sake, and to hold it firmly until after the motors have started, and until you notify them that you are about to take off. In other words, the helper is to hold the Phantom firmly and actually prevent it from taking off until it is understood that you are actually attempting to launch: don't allow assumptions or interpretations.

1:58 this is too relatable, i did my first flight yesterday and was freaking out when a crow decided to follow the drone 😂😂

I have spent sooooo much time on your channel today haha

you have such a funny sense of humor. the last little quip about "over-prepared Germans" is so darn funny. Wasn't ready fore that quick shot.....hahahaha. Good video. Thank you.

A surfing instructor in Waikiki taught me that the biggest waves are usually like the degrees in a musical scale: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and sometimes 13, from conventional to jazzy conditions ;)

"Stay away from ... lighthouses..." Shows a drone flying ~3 meters from lighthouse lol

So you cannot turn off the VPS on the P4 (as of 8/16). I suggest putting some tape over the 2 optical sensors underneath the P4. I almost lost mine and this quick fix helped me hover below 2 meters over running water. Otherwise, the P4 moved with the current.

This is the 2nd or 3rd video of yours that I came across. I enjoyed the humor as well as the insight. There is so much to consider when flying, and it's these simple little things that can make or break the day's fun using expensive new equipment. The wet landing recovery system is something I learned today too. Thanks for sharing and awesome video!

Useful tips I hadn't thought of before. I followed ur guidance while filming one of my latest vids abroad!

I do a pull test before heading over water. In a safe area I apply full throttle for a few seconds to rapidly ascend, checking there are no mechanical failures from the forces on the aircraft. To judge wind I'll fly one direction for a bit and then come back the other way. Comparing the ground speeds difference for the two runs will help judge head or tail wind.

thx for the good tutorial and your sense of humor. I emailed DJI on this issue and this is what they said .. "Thank you for contacting DJI Technical Support, I do understand how you feel, Since you want to fly the drone above the water the recommended height is 10 meters because if you try flying it below 10 meters it might affect the downward and vision systems of the aircraft and might lead to crashed which we do not want to happen. I do hope this will help Best Regards, Aljon DJI SUPPORT Tom , have you found that above 10 metres it is not necessary to disable the downward vision system ?

I like the TTT tutorials in 'talk fast' mode. They encourage the user to switch to 'think fast' mode before flying.

You forgot to mention to add a flotation device to the Phantom itself so it can land / float in water. Many people have done it and it does work well.

Love your stuff dude. Thanks for the work you put into it!

Yes, very good advice about using Course Lock. It is so much easier and makes better looking pans. Thank you for your efforts!

Tomy. Your videos are great. The only thing it needs to be perfect is a vocal tonal change. I'm sure you can do it yourself. Everything can be learnt. View some tips on how to have a radio show host voice! ;) Cheerios

Very Helpful!!! Thanks, tried flying this morning over lake Michigan and had some scary instances!

Very useful video. Thanks Tom. I'm just learning about my DJI Drone so I shall be back again I am sure.

Stay away from lighthouses.. As we see footage of you doing a super close flyby of a lighthouse, priceless!

Damage from salt water intrusion is PERMANENT, especially when electronics are powered. Period. There will be instances when electronics temporarily function after rinsing with distilled water and spraying with contact solvent cleaners. The key word is temporary. Damage is PERMANENT.

One way not to get caught fighting against the wind to get back home is to know the normal speed of your Phantom. If you see that your speed is higher than normal, that means you have a tailwind at that moment. So when you come back, you will likely be fighting a headwind. This works both ways. You may see a slower speed heading away from you, then you might assume a faster speed coming back. However, the winds could shift leaving you falling short of your desired destination if you go away too far thinking you will come back faster and make it back home. The wind direction and velocity can change dramatically with changes in altitude so be aware if you fly away from and towards home at different altitudes. I know that this is common sense and obvious to many who fly but there are people flying Phantoms who could use this simple lesson. "Know your speed and you will know your wind."

Good video Tom!! 😁

Great vid, but I reckon the best advice is to take note of the wind direction and speed. Wind blowing from the coast out to the ocean might will let you fly out over the ocean, but it might stop you from flying back.

Nice one, Tom. Learned a few new things from you movie. Danke.

Tom, I was enjoy your videos and the helpful information they provide. Thank you and please keep up the good work!

60 thumbs up, 0 thumbs down. Says it all. Always enjoy your videos Tom.

Great tips man deff will help for my next video thanks!

2:10 Looks Incredible tom! BTW Tom I really appreciate your videos just got my phantom 3 pro about a week ago and love your videos, thanks!

Tom - I was wondering if there is anything you can use (or would benefit in using) that would protect the motors from the salt spray in the air in over water flights? Something like and aerosol WD40 that is known for drying out electrical circuits?

I fly above water a lot, and I love it.

Great Video Tom, but can you please "Slow Down" when you are showing the settings page? Thanks!

As a surfer and drone pilot. I like your tutorial and love your T-shirt :)

Thumbs up ere' Tom! great advice as always! thanks for sharing :-)

Thinking of buying a Phantom 3 drone for over-water video from a yacht. Wondering if I Cn take off and land from a moving vessel Also wondering what is the max safe wind speed. Any thoughts?. The Toms tech video is very concise and helpful. Well done.

Tom, I can not find the link for the sticker company mentioned in your video...thanks for video by the way!

I LOVE your videos and ALL of your instructions... but MAN do you talk fast :)

Great video & thumbs up. Cheers from Sint Maarten

Getterbacks are great as long as the water is not over 100 feet deep keeps you from having to go diving . You can take it off when not over water .

Subscriber #49,701 here... Impressive! (Almost as impressive as your videos!!) Great channel - - looking forward to more :-)

lost my phantom 3 off pacific beach ca. no clue why, waiting on dji fly away department, totally depressed.

hey, another beginner here. Course lock saved my fourth flight when I lost sight and the camera failed. Knowing it was roughly at my two o'clock I gained altitude and steered successfully back. You are right about course lock. Question ; anyone know what happens if your phone rings while in flight?

hi I have a phantom 3 4k.... I'm having problems getting great quality footage..... I've bout polarpro filters as well please help me with settings for my drone camera!

some great tips on this video thanks!

beautiful video!!

Further hint, related to flying from a boat - a lesson learnt hard by a colleague of mine. Remember that the "home" point the Phantom will return to is the GPS location. If your boat has moved since it took off, that's not where you are now! And related to seagulls, other birds are also a risk. I had a narrow escape with my Phantom 3 from a Golden Eagle on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, last August. It appeared from nowhere. So always stay alert if flying in an area where there are birds that could attack your drone. Oh, and hint 9 is sexist :)

Hello Tom, Today in flew my phantom 3 advanced 150meter over the beach of nazare. but when i went home my remote was cracked open I didn't drop it or crashed the remote what to do ?

Love the cover art for today's show: DJI + Bacon!

Tom, great videos about flying the drone! Still a novice with only 3 flights of my Phantom 4. Here is my question: There is an overlook to the ocean below with some very interesting rocks that I plan to fly around. Will the Phantom get confused if the flight altitude is negative (below) the home point? I know I know, just try it, but is there something that I need to change? Thanks for your help!

nice video,I am mavic noob and want to fly over lake with aqua ski in my town, do I need to disable visual sensors even if I fly 4-5m above surface ? ty

Hi Tom, I can not find this setting on P4? I fly lower than takeoff point then it says -2 meters etc.. How can I set it to tell me how many meters I am from the surface if I lost sight of my drone? Also when it auto return home will it use the level it took when it lifted off or will this setting change affect that? Great show Tom thank you!!!!

good videos! I'm learning so much in so little time!

Thank you so much Tom, amazing episode, i have question please, what is the best camera setting for good clear nice photos or videos?Thanks in advance

Good information !! As always. Thanks Tom!

your videos are GREAT!

Question: if i fly on the ship, i must control it fly back by myself, correct? becasue the ship is moving the GPS position has been changed. correct?

birds fly in fixed wing mode - sharp turns to left or right or lift up or down throws them off and disorientates them - also the blades do damage if they wont take the hint - its up to them to strike but they need to learn it hurts if they do

nice tips in there... keep up the good work

Why not use home lock instead of course lock? Also, I've flown over water 100+ times and have never turned off VPS. What reason would there be to do so apart from flying VERY low?

Excellent stuff thanks!

Very informative video Tom. Thank you mucho.

Very Good Tips!

Preview image = DJI + Bacon. Great video!

Great video. I wonder about using a large net to capture a drone on a boat e.g. fly into the net ? As to seagulls - my first drone was a Parrot AR drone 2 - was flying over my lifeboat (I am a volunteer) mobbed by 2 seagulls - lost the drone!

great vid danke tom

I have read on forums that the if under attack from a bird the best defence is up as fast as possible, they can't match the maneuver. Then perhaps fly away and land.

Tom how do you mount he water buoy, I just had more phantom fall out of the sky into the ocean. Im buying another drone but want to have a back up if this happens again.

great channel!

Thanks for the tips guys. Nice.

As a pilot I know they carry automatic inflator pfds if going over the ocean for extended periods of time.Just saying these drones are expensive enough now we need more accessories.

Is it possible to locate a Phantom long after it has gone down in the ocean? Also you might want to remind people that the ''motor off'' command still works when flying, very stupid way I lost mine.

nice video very informative . i will try to apply that on my video next time :)

Really great tips! Thank you

Great videos!! i have always love your video :D

Good tips. You forgot to mention switch off GPS when flying from a moving ship and return to home.

Great video and funny. Saluted!

will try to make a video for a do your self getterback if my idea works;)

Thanks, Tom!

Does anyone know why that happens when you do that either one way or another doesnt seem to effect the inadequacies of something sometimes but rather everything all the time.

Actual tips that will help you - super. Ladies, do not be offended by tip #9 :)

I was flying my Dji phantom 4 low over the sea a few weeks ago and at about 3 m it just came down slowly into the water. I managed to swim out and find my drone sitting nicely on the sea bed. I brought her up washed in fresh water and blew with compressed air. But the agent tells me it's not worth repairing and I must buy a new one. I can't even buy a drone without a controller. Warning to water fliers !!!

it is probably best to avoid starting from a boat if possible. much safer to have your return to home point on land.

Awesome information I just subscribed $

Hello Tom, can you make a review of the Litchi app? This app allow u to fly without limits :)

You can make a tutorial of the same but with Phantom 4? where it is that I can not turn it off

where can I find the VPN option with DJI PHANTOM 3 STANDARD?

Olá,qual o número de série do drone kalione e também o número de série do controle, para fazer a homologação.?

Question for you Tom, I was flying my drone over a reservoir yesterday, now mind you I didn't have the positioning sensor shut off I had calibrated the quad on the Dji app but not the Litchi app, I had shut off the Dji app and use the Litchi app because the Dji app was restricting me so I used the Litchi app at about a quarter mile out over the water and about 60 feet altitude when I decide to turn the quad around and flying it back to the bank the aircraft started spinning wildly and very fast for about 8 or so seconds. I was able to get it back under control and recover it but do you have any idea why it would do this. I have had my Phantom 3 pro for a couple of years now and this is the first time this has happened.

I find a drone to fishing but very chip, I need distance from de coast minimun 400/ 500 mtrs, its possible?? camera to see the line. Is necessary GPS? Thank you a lot for your answer. Eduardo

Hey Tom! After searching everywhere on my own, I found that it is impossible to disable my VPS on a Phantom 4. Do you have any other suggestions for stabilizing my Phantom 4 while flying low over 2-3 ft swells? By "flying low" I mean approximately 10 ft. (3 meters) above water. Do you advise covering the sensors with tape?

Cool stuff! Your English is excellent. Very little German accent

Hi Tom, Who/How did you get your intro done? i like the animated drone intro and would like to create something similar.

Was this recoded in cape verde

What about tips on Phantom 4 over whater???? Phantom 4 is the real problem when flying low on water... cos the VPS cant be turned off.... please.... make another video for P4 owners.

Thanks for the Video! -Columbia Yacht Club Chicago.

Hey Tom, when you change settings on your I assume apple device I see a lot of settings that I can't find on my Samsung, how come? (My drone is a Phantom 3 Pro)

I didn't see the link for the "save my phantom" water buoy device??

Thank you man!