WANT TO SUPPORT THE CHANNEL HERE?….click subscribe. I’m truly grateful. Thank you. -TED

Here’s a fair warning for you new drone nerds. My flight counter is at 1300 now so I’ve seen a thing or two. Along this line of conversation with sensors, be aware that flying in fog or clouds can get ugly. Being in Florida we have excellent morning humidity that creates awesome low cloud decks. Usually it handles it fine but one particular time when the fog was really thick, I had an issue. I knew it was going to be bad because it was a lot darker than usual from the camera view so I know the fog was thick. I was at about 350 feet and pushed down and it wouldn’t budge. Tried again, nothing. Then hit RTH….nothing! It then gave me a warning that said something like “unsafe landing conditions”. I was still at 350! The drone wouldn’t come down! Just then it started creeping really slowly down . Less then the speed at landing. It took me about 6 minutes to get down from 350. I think the bottom sensors on the mini 2 thought the fog was “solid”. Scared the crap out of me! One cool thing about the situation is that I obviously learned the limits in clouds and fog. Since you can’t turn those sensors off, my suggestion would be to use electrical tape to cover the sensors if you plan on flying in low clouds or fog. Something else happened too that shocked me. When I landed, the drone was soaked. Not just damp but water logged! I tilted the drone toward the back and water just rushed out of the thing. The arms were filled with water. I was so surprised the motors all still worked fine. I dried the drone off on an air purifier and have flown another 200 times since with zero problems. It had issues with the thick fog but no issues with the water! I’ve since taken some chances and flown in light rain and not had a single problem. I wouldn’t go out looking to fly in a rain storm but if you get stuck in a surprise light rain, don’t panic….it handles it just fine.

All good points! I have flown over water quite a bit, although I have had a few scary moments, I've learned what not to do, most of which you mentioned. I will add 3 additional points: When flying over the ocean keep in mind that it is not impossible for an errant wave to reach the height of your drone if you are under about 20 feet above the water. This happened to me with the original Mavic. When the water hit the drone, it started flying erratic, it almost went into the water. Luckily, I was close to shore and was able to execute a crash landing onto the beach. When flying under a low bridge over water with 'Bypass' on, your done could dive into the water in order to bypass the bridge. When flying near cliffs with nesting eagles, they will attack your drone if you get too close. If this happens, your best escape is to quickly go up. Gain as much altitude as you can before returning home. I lost my first drone to a hawk and I have survived 2 eagle encounters. Also, there are a number of things that can jump out of the water and get your drone if you fly too close to the water.

Dear Ted, The way it works with the down-facing cameras is that an algorithm tries to lock on to the same feature on both the images. But from the location offset of said feature in the image, you can calculate the convergence angle and since you know how far the sensors are apart, you can calculate the distance of the feature. A little bit like locking on to your finger with your eyes and then coming closer to your face - the more cross-eyed you go, the closer your finger is. The problem with water is that either it is glassy smooth so the algorithm can't find a feature to lock on to and then subsequently fails to perform its magic or if it is a bit windy, the surface features of the water keep changing, leading to either the same problem of being able to lock on to a feature at all, or at the very least greatly increased measurement intervals as the systems will spend most of the time attempting to identify a feature to lock on to (and failing a lot in the process). The other 3 ways to maintain altitude are built-in accelerometers aligned with the axes of the drone, however these usually self-calibrate during power up, so you might induce some error if you move the drone when it boots up. This is why the subsequent reboot fixes it - provided you leave the drone alone during its wakeup. It isn't a full IMU realignment, mind you, but there is some kind of calibration going on during bootup. So the practice of switching on the drone while carrying it and then setting it down a bit later before takoff is counterproductive - not saying you are doing this, but if you did, this explains the drift during hover. Then there is the usual GPS/GNSS sensor suite which works pretty well but isn't as accurate as one would want. Plus it depends on satellite availability and therefore also terrain and area of the world. And then there are the barometric sensors - those work fine over water too, but are a bit prone to error if the air temperature fluctuates (it tends to be cooler over water than over land during daytime and vice versa during the night). Problem with barometric sensors is that the consumer level ones are sometimes not accurate enough to fly low over water. And unfortunately DJI does not tell us which sensor it uses as the primary source for altitmetry at any given time and they also don't allow us to deselect certain systems if we want to. However, the landing sequence is triggered by the drone believing to be too close to the ground without being fast, so an error in altimetry reading can lead it to a landing attempt. Fortunately it was a bit higher than it thought it was when it did this, so you had time to recover it. And it might sound counterproductive at first, but switching to sport mode (and hence disabling the optical sensors) can be beneficial over featureless terrain. But it varies between models, so it won't work with all of them. Test at your own peril and preferrably over featureless solid terrain like smooth sand before trying this low over water. You have been warned and ofc I don't take responsibility if something breaks when doing this.

Thanks Ted. Some good advice here. I’ve not come to grief yet but I do like flying over water, generally free space and no trees to hit. It is also useful to just check the drone feels ‘right ‘ before you set off. Also I just love your enthusiasm, just an acceptable shade below fanatical. My immediate family don’t share my love for filming with these genius gizmos so your dose of excitement is just what I need.

That was a really good explanation, Ted, of how the drone's sensors deal with flying over water. Your first story about losing your drone in front of everyone was so painful! It's good seeing you on the USDS livestream, too!

Thank youTED for the excellent contribution to the drone community, flying over water is one of my best flights, Greetings from Mexico my friend.

Great video Ted, some good advice as always! Haven’t had the landing situation yet over water but I’ll expect it to happen at some point, will take your advice and stay up high. Enjoy your adventures across India, very exciting and we’ll all be with you one video at a time, I can’t imagine how much more energised someone can be than you but I’m certain the lovely people there will help you learn so much more about yourself than you’ll ever expect or anticipate - expect the unexpected!

sorry for your loss....thanks for sharing your mis-adventure knowledge, so that we may prevent the same....educational, humorous, and passionate as usual👏👍🤜

I love your videos cant wait for the next one

Thanks for the advice. I will keep it in mind.

Thanks Ted, excellent video.

Just came back my LI friend from flying over Pirates cove, then Port Jefferson and lastly the Old Field Lighthouse. I'm always flying over water and these are excellent tips. I rarely fly low over water, but know about the sensors. I always do the hover test, forward backwards etc.. Now I will pay more attention to any other erratic behavior before flight.

Great content again! Always worried above water so generally never go down further than 10 meters. Good tip! Can’t wait to see your adventures in India!

Another great video Ted

Very informative and helpful, thanks

I find the mini 3 pro flies like it’s had a few drinks compared to my mini2. I was told it does that when you first take of with the M3P as it needs to get the sensors initialized for the drone. I think the mini2 is way way more of a stable flyer throughout the flight at any height. Great tips!

OUTSTANDING, LIKE ALWAYS 💪👽👍

When I've had that "something's not right" scenario, it's usually been because I booted the drone and controller up too close to power lines or needed a compass calibration. If I see anything even remotely out of the ordinary, I abort the mission and figure it out. Thanks for the video!

Thanks for sharing your insights... will definitely pay more attention before sending it out... I too had a similar situation where it was throttle up when I saw it start to dip towards the water not long ago. Fortunately, a save! And that's I got my pulse to come back to normal.

Thanks for the tips!

Very timely video. My wife and I are getting ready to leave for the day and go fly both the mini 3 pro and avata at a park with a huge lake we found last weekend. Will apply these tips today thanks for the heads up Ted.

Great video as usual Ted 😉👍👍

Great tips Ted. Maybe add compass and IMU calibrations to the reboot procedures too. I’ve had to do those things and they seem to help! Can’t wait to follow you on your India adventure! Safe travels and great flying!

Right on the money Ted, and thanks for the great post. 90% of my flying for the last 5 years has been over water, up to 5 miles offshore, and I've only lost 1 precious drone into the drink, and that was pilot error misjudging the strength of the wind (exactly as you described). I've also had the uninitiated landing sequence when low and slow over a creek twice recently. Your advice is excellent and greatly appreciated. Enjoy India, I'll be watching! Cheers from Sydney Australia.

Ted, you are the man! Great video! 👍👍

Thanks Ted!

Always great and informative 😊videos

Thanks for sharing

Great video!!!! Really helpful

ur videos are amazing bruh!

GREAT INFO👍🏾👍🏾

Omg so good to see you're coming to India. I got my first drone couple months ago and have watched and learnt so much from all of your drone videos. Can't thank you enough. Also, I'm living in the crazy beautiful state of meghalaya in India for the past two years working on a documentary project. Will be so happy to host you here

Thanks Ted for the advice- I always remind myself that this is a mechanical device and is subject to failures just like an elevator that why I never put my arm or hands in an elevator door to try and stop it because it can drop anytime with your arm inside- be smart and plan for the worst and hope for the best

I have experience with this. I was flying over the Delaware River and saw the wreck of a sunken barge. I turned the camera straight down and descended slowly. The drone started acting erratically and dropped suddenly. Fortunately I was able to pin the stick and get out of there. I was about 15 ft above the water. Now my rule is 50 ft, no lower. The drone was a DJI Mavic 2 Pro. A lesson learned.

Thanks for sharing sir

Great piece of work dude ! Very inspiring. Loved every bit of this video .

Some more great advice. 👍👍👊

great tips!! THANKS

I can see your enthusiasm for drones from here, and I'm with you! I just passed the Part 107 test and bought an Air 3, and like you, I love my Mini 2. Subscribed and looking forward to more content! You have a very enthusiastic and watchable presentation style

Another GREAT Video Ted!!! Can’t wait to see your videos this coming year for your one year drone adventure documentary in India!!!! Safe Travels!!!!😊

Thanks bro, it's really important tips!

Very good video. Your videos are great Ted. I'm subbing.

Thank you Ted !

A few months ago, I asked you about over water flying... I agree, 10 meters is the minimum for drone security... Thanks for these tips Ted, can't wait for India images... 👍👍😉

thanks for the interesting topic

Helpful tips, indeed - need to be cautious and vigilant when flying over water... Best of luck on your journey, that is going to be quite an adventure. Stay safe out there.

As always, a great and informative video, Ted. Thank you. I look forward to your dispatches from India and will definitely be watching every minute. //Tom

Great vid Ted your trips guna be brilliant look forward to the vids your right about the glitches turn it off and on again usually fixes it swapping the battery works too hope your well mate cheers

Nice and informative piece. I had a scary moment flying over water too. In my case I was as around 15 feet not far from shore. I was taking videos of ship passing by. In my case the 2s drone started dropping slowly. There was no message or warning. I saw this in time to save it, but I suspect the sensor issue was a reason.

Like your video Ted. I do learn from you even though i have been flying for a few years. Thank you!

always enjoy your vids ted ive lost 2 drones over water wind and height always be on the cautious side

Nice video Thank you

Wow! You Da Man!

Ted, this is great info on how DJI sensors work. I've never seen it anywhere else. Good luck on your overseas project!

Thank you!

Watched this whole video with a huge smile on my face. Hilarious. You're a total dude.

Really looking forward to your trip videos. Your drone photography style is amazing your character and enthusiasm, unsurpassed.

Once, while low over the water, my mini3pro just wanted to do a big slow circle left… Scared the crap outta me, thought I was gonna loose it… my drone that is… Excellent vid Ted. Thought provoking and funny. ❤❤ it!

Another great educational and fun video. I cannot wait to see your 2024 adventures! I'm excited to ride along my friend! Keep em rolling in space cowboy!!

I know exactly what you experience with the screwy behaviour. Occurred with Mini 2. I was flying over water when it started to slowly descend, then stop, then moving very slowly towards me when I was financing to return etc. I checked everything before and after the flight, and everything was perfect. I ruled out environmental interference, and called the day.

Good points. Hope your adventure in India is a great success. It’s an amazing country in many ways.

Great video. I fully agree, start at first, check the drone behaviour and fly over land at first. Then go over water and do not fly below 10m (startet from land altitude) or to switch of the related sensors. Cheers DrDuu

Awesome video Ted! I fly over water a lot and tend to fly low. Im very cautious and prepared for the landing initiation because I've experienced this. Great information! Also, great shout-out for the USDS! Love it.

It is a very nice info. Thank you my friend for sharing this wonderful video.

Wow man. I’m super excited about you traveling to India! What an amazing opportunity for you and your channel.

Great video

Great observations and advice Ted, thanks for sharing! Looking forward to seeing your videos from India and ultimately, your documentary.

Totally agree about reboot of operating systems ,worked non complex CNC machinery and turning power for a minute often fixes problems when system seem confused

Great information Ted. I’ve lost 2 drones to the ocean. The 10m rule is one I use. I also do a water test measure at the start of the flight (close to the shore) to establish the drone can register where 1 to 2 meters is as water clarity varies day to day and location to location. Battery updates important also ;)

Your content, and you editing of your videos are so refreshing! Thank you for all the time you are taking to produce this channel. I look forward to following your 2024 adventures in In India!

Great video mate, always worry more flying over water 💧 😅

Funny enough I flew at the Water Gardens yesterday and kept thinking every move was my last lol my first test launch of my first drone, the Mini 2 SE. Btw great content as always!

Welcome to India Ted, you'll absolutely love it here during your trip. You'll find so so much to shoot with your flying camera

Great Episode Ted! You're videos have got a great fun feel to them. Loving all the little Animation's when your telling a story. Great trps too, we all love some over the water action shots 🤟

Cool info, my new one is on its way, so good to know. That picture in the beginning sure looks like Wonder Lake and Denali. Beautiful place.

Good video, thanks for sharing

@TedNemeth I am glad you did this episode... Being as much of the content I am shooting is over wetlands, your thoughts and experiences are of some significance to my program... Living on the Sacramento / San Joaquin Delta in California, we are in a region rich with really beautiful and diverse scenery, as well as much of the significant history relative to the Gold Rush that made California a popular destination starting in 1848... This generally means I am in, or around, areas with significant water features ( from lakes and rapids to rivers, bays and beaches ) to overfly... My takeaway is that, while I may have been really lucky ( in my very short time flying ) , so far, flying my Mini 3 over water at 10 ft or less, I may want to rethink such activity lest I risk having to find out if that replacement insurance was really worth it... Thanks, once again, for providing valuable tips to help us avoid unnecessary failures.

I am a waterworld dweller; surrounded by water. I fly and film regularly over the water, low, fast, hover, slow and low etc. The sensors will never provide an accurate altitude so eyes on the drone are the best policy. There have been numerous bvlos flights where the m3p took a dive towards the water and/or tried to land in the water. I did lose one in early April filming kayaking, it sensed a landing and gracefully plunged itself straight down into the deep.

Hey Ted, I’ve been watching your videos since I bought my M3Po a few weeks ago and really appreciate the time you take to bring us all this information. Looking forward to seeing your India adventure. ❤

Nice work . . . Thanks for sharing . . . I lost one learning this lesson. .

Another great video from the Legend. Thanks for the information. I'm going out over a lake tomorrow. Wish me luck!

A great video there Ted. All good points to bare in mind. Most of my over-water flying is done pretty high up, which adds a new complication - seagulls! They can be a nightmare if they decide to move your drone! Your India trip sounds exciting. Looking forward to that 🙂👍

Looking forward to the videos from India mate!

I was sitting over the kern river and it started following the river, backwards. I would reset it and it did it again. You’re right, it feels trippy. For both of us. 🤣

I agree about the operating systems or computers they seem to have a mind of their own at times

Good idea's and Tips to hear and see. Have a Good trip to India.

I have had the Mavic, Mavic 2 Zoom & Mavic 3 & repeatedly fly over water surfaces & have never lost a drone because of it. I don't like to fly less than 4 meters especially with the Mavic 3 in normal flight mode as it is very responsive to the right stick, up/down. Wise to put the drone into cinemagraphic mode as less responsive to the stick input. Great using cruise control in reverse with swimmers, up close & personal flying in reverse with a finishing tilt up reveal.

Much love my brother love Your Enthusiasm your energy, thanks for the tips been flying a long time I kind of stay away from the water except if I'm way high, have a great trip and Indian much love my brother😊🤙🤙🤙

Excellent video, you gained a follower from Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.

Interesting topic. The owner manual usually provides a warning about flying over featureless reflective surfaces. So long as the water has sufficient surface disruption, you're fine in my experience, just don't get hit by a wave crashing against the rocks and shooting water up in the air..... One issue which can cause problems is flying over water without enough satellites locked, the drone will follow the patterns in the water, this was discovered by KZfaqr Ian In London when his Mini 3 drifted into a tree. I've had the unexpected fembot landing announcement when flying a mini 2 in foggy conditions in excess of 30m height, so it's not exclusively a ground proximity thing. Seem to recall reading something about what height the drone switches from the infrared sensors to GPS for height info, can't remember exactly. Would be good to know how the different height gathering systems interact and are prioritised in the OS but DJI may not want to fully disclose how their systems work. Anywho, hugely interesting video and very much looking forward to your India trip and hoping for some RE thumper action, instead of Itchy Boots you could be Itchy something else entirely different... 😂

And about your other point, I noticed my air 3 "spasming" a bit temporarily while hovering the other day. What you just said about operating systems brought that to mind. I remember observing it and thinking …this thing is not stable but then it went away.

I live in Minnesota (land of 10,000 lakes) so of COURSE I want to fly over water! These are good tips.

damn! I'm new to droning...had my mini 3 pro about 10ft above the water to simulate a take off....good to know...30 ft is the minimum. You should do a video on what to do If your at an Alpine lake and it unexpectedly starts to rain. That happened to me and I was over water....oh man....I was so scared.

Ted my man, just got back from the beach holiday. Filmed some really low shots over the ocean, 😮 had no idea how risky this was. Phew. Love your work mate.

Hi Ted, could you tell me how to "reboot" the system with a dji mini 3 pro, because I also observed this erratic behavior during takeoff when the drone wants to go down by itself ? and thanks, great tuto.

Mate this video scared the hell out of me. I already thought I had lost my mini 3 pro into the ocean on my third flight. But I've been flying it along happily over water (a farm dam) at a height of as low as 1 foot.... Now you can understand how your video suddenly scared the hell out of me. My first thought wasn't to limit how low I go. My first thought was/is can I get floats to clip on and off of the drone for when I want those really low shots. If it decides to land that may be not a problem if the drone has floaties on. Sounds like your India trip will be amazing 👍🏽

Thanks for sharing this reminder Ted. As a newbie DJI Mini Pro 3 drone pilot, I'm going to heed your height warning and suggestions. Cheers! I've noticed that when I'm flying over the lake that as my drone gets further away it seems to slightly decrease in altitude so I had to adjust it higher so I agree not to fully trust the sensors when flying over bodies of water.

Ted try to explain in simple word . Informative video😊

As always Ted...good video teaching and advice. I think I'll take your suggestion and do killer over water shots with the Mini 2! All my very best hopes and wishes for your Indian Adventure ... keep safe and keep in touch with us.