Anyone with extensive experience flying flowing over water?

Lifeisfun · Mar 15, 2020

I'm waiting for months to see some posts or videos using the S2 on the water.
Not much luck, and after the famous now video where it ditched to the cranberry pond , I lost my hope

Anyone?

Thanks

samsipe · Mar 17, 2020

Just saw this post too... I sent you a reply in the other thread. Flying over water doesn't seem to be the issue itself. I think tracking the beacon alone over the water is scary and launching from land or a dock is a better idea. Also Skydio recommends not flying over flat water...

Flying Your Skydio 2 Near Water

Flying any drone over water presents some unique challenges, so we always advise using caution and common sense guidelines when flying near the water. Unlike solid ground, visual navigation is less...

support.skydio.com

Lifeisfun · Mar 17, 2020

Thanks
I hope they will work on this since summer is on it's way and I'm sure there will be lots of drones in the drink if they don't.
Never had problem flying Spark over water, it performed like a champ!

Jafemu · Mar 21, 2020

I have flown The Skydio2 over water several times over bluffs, beaches, and tide pools off of the California coast and have had no problem. I was using a controller to capture landscape shots and was not letting it autonomously fly itself. I also was staying clear of obstacles and careful to not put it too low over the water. I was also mindful of the Skydio’s limited range compared to my other drones.

Cicada · Mar 21, 2020

Flew over a large still pond a few times with no issues. Was using the controller.

Lifeisfun · Mar 21, 2020

Jafemu said:
I have flown The Skydio2 over water several times over bluffs, beaches, and tide pools off of the California coast and have had no problem. I was using a controller to capture landscape shots and was not letting it autonomously fly itself. I also was staying clear of obstacles and careful to not put it too low over the water. I was also mindful of the Skydio’s limited range compared to my other drones.

Cicada said:
Flew over a large still pond a few times with no issues. Was using the controller.

Thanks for reply, how the drone behaves when you get lower over the water surface?

JEarl · Mar 28, 2020

Just in case you haven't seen this video:

It's Billy Kyle with his Skydio2. He is having it following them in a car with water all around, and I think the Skydio gets confused and flies directly into the water. Just my opinion, but I think the Skydio saw a reflection in the mirror-like water and aimed for it. That's why Skydio says not to fly over still water.

Lifeisfun · Mar 28, 2020

JEarl said:
Just in case you haven't seen this video:

It's Billy Kyle with his Skydio2. He is having it following them in a car with water all around, and I think the Skydio gets confused and flies directly into the water. Just my opinion, but I think the Skydio saw a reflection in the mirror-like water and aimed for it. That's why Skydio says not to fly over still water.

Yes, seen that, what I find strange about that explanation is that it should be fairly easy for the drone to determine what is up and what is down so why would it think that sky can be located below since it can't fly upside down?

flashflood · Mar 29, 2020

I've flown over the ocean manually, over a lake chasing a kite surfer in autonomous mode and over rivers. It got VERY close to the water in autonomous mode, so I set the minimum distance to 8 feet. Have not had any issues.

Lifeisfun · Mar 29, 2020

flashflood said:
I've flown over the ocean manually, over a lake chasing a kite surfer in autonomous mode and over rivers. It got VERY close to the water in autonomous mode, so I set the minimum distance to 8 feet. Have not had any issues.

That's great, boating season around the corner here and I'm pretty nervous take it on the boat.