Flip Comparisons to NEO for Cold Weather Flying

[Chrislaf]

Has anyone flown their Flip in temperatures below the rated -10C since it also has an exposed battery similar to the NEO? If so how did it do? I get 'Preparing to Takeoff: IMU warming up' errors whenever I fly my NEO below -10C. This error occurs shortly after the NEO has taken off and is already in flight. The error, however doesn't seem to affect the flight in any way.

Chris

 

[Curtiscop]

A little cold weather advice I can give you ...... if your batteries are 'cold', then warm then up to at least 'room temperatures'. And, don't charge your battery if it is hot ..... wait for it to cool down. I've not actually done any cold weather flights, but living here in Utah I will plan to take some flights this winter.

 

[Chrislaf]

Thanks for the tip. I fly my drones year round and am very familiar with cold weather flying - have been doing it for years.

I have flown all of my drones well below the rated temperatures without any problems as long as I take precautions like keeping batteries warm before flight, keeping drone within VLOS in case the display freezes up or no longer responds, and returning with lots of battery remaining (usually around 40%).

However, I have found that the NEO does not tolerate temperatures colder than the rated specs (-10C). In my post above I was wondering if the same was true for the Flip.

Chris

 

[FLIP 317]

However, I have found that the NEO does not tolerate temperatures colder than the rated specs (-10C). In my post above I was wondering if the same was true for the Flip.

Just a thought...The FLIP has more surface area with the prop guards and may be prone to icing with cold temperatures blasting through the spokes of the guards, making it lose thrust and control if the conditions warrant icing.


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[Chrislaf]

Just a thought...The FLIP has more surface area with the prop guards and may be prone to icing with cold temperatures blasting through the spokes of the guards, making it lose thrust and control if the conditions warrant icing.


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I don’t have a Flip so I am only speculating. I think it would be the same as with other drones - it’s only an issue if you have below freezing temperatures in moist air like fog or over water that hasn’t frozen yet. I have had ice form on the underside of my Mavic 3 props in this exact situation.

Chris