Drones: we love them and we hate them. Whether you’re flying them or just having your privacy invaded by one, they’re worth talking about. When I say worth talking about, I don’t mean you have to have context with them like drone-driving nerds at conferences do.
I’m talking about the main things that you need to know about drones and that’s what this article is for. So can drones fly in the rain? Well let me break it down for you and we’ll see if there’s anything cool to talk about here or not.
Can Drones Fly In The Rain
The answer to this question is yes, but there are some limitations. The first thing you need to know is that drones are not waterproof. It is possible to get water on your drone and still fly it, but only if you take the proper precautions.
Some drones are not waterproofed, so you can’t fly them in the rain. If you are flying a drone in a storm, it’s best to land it immediately and wait for the storm to pass before taking off again.
If you want to fly your drone in bad weather, such as heavy rain or snow, you can use an umbrella or other cover to protect the drone from getting wet. This will make sure your drone’s electronics do not get damaged by water exposure.
You can also use a wide-angle lens on your camera or gimbal if it has one so that most of the drone is out of view of the camera. For example, you can use a fisheye lens when shooting in bad weather so that only part of your drone is given the camera at any given time.
If my drone gets wet, what happens?
Many of the internal electronic parts of your drone may stop working if it does become wet. Specifically, the motors’ electronic speed controller is probably going to burn out and stop the propellers from rotating. Additionally, the drone could become worthless if any of the fuses or other electronic components blow.
It can appear like nothing is wrong at first. You can fly your drone flawlessly and without incident, if you are an experienced pilot. You may even believe your drone is waterproof if you didn’t know any different. But avoid making this error.
Waiting sooner or later poses the greatest risk. After prolonged contact with moisture, electronic components begin to corrode and your drone is destroyed. Therefore, if you take your drone out one day and it won’t start or operate properly, don’t act startled. There was rain!
A drone’s response to water depends on its design. Drones with huge air vents for flight control occasionally allow water to get to the copper windings in the electric motor. The drone becomes unmanageable due to the erroneous control signals if water enters the receiver and links the + and – terminals.
Even worse, if water gets into touch with the power distribution board, controller, or electric motor, a short circuit may result. A short circuit can burn components on circuit boards or melt cables.
Additionally, if rain gets into a drone while it’s in flight, the camera is at serious risk. While taking off and landing your drone, be mindful of the damp ground in addition to the rain. With all of these factors taken into account, flying on a rainy day looks like a risk that is not worth the reward.
What should you do if rain unexpectedly falls?
If you accidentally started to rain while flying your drone, land it as soon as you notice a few raindrops or a drizzle rather than waiting until it starts to pour.
If your drone gets wet from the rain, follow the instructions below to save it right away:
- Immediately cut off the drone’s power source. It’s okay to do that.
- Remove the battery and casing if there is a lot of water inside the drone due to heavy rain.
- To get the water off your drone, gently turn, move, and shake it in all directions.
- To hasten the drying process, dry the drone with your hairdryer on the lowest setting while at a safe distance.
Utilize a black plastic bag with raw rice inside. The quantity of rice to use depends on the size of the drone and the water level. As long as it’s not too hot—you don’t want the sun’s heat to harm your drone—place the drone inside the plastic bag with the rice, close it, and leave it in the sun for two days. The rice aids in soaking up any leftover water from the drone.
Until you are certain that the drone is entirely dry, do not turn on the power.
Do not install a new battery in the drone if it appears bloated or corroded. Before attempting to turn on the drone, get a replacement.
Which drones can fly while it is raining?
The most beautiful photographs and movies are frequently those taken during rain, and the lighting may be rather dramatic. The worry of damaging a drone while flying in the rain is another issue.
Fortunately, waterproof drones can operate in harsh weather including snow, rain, and fog. Special sealed frames with their distinctive structure protect the electronic components. With technology, waterproof drones can land, dive underwater to operate, and then flawlessly take off again.
Water-resistant drones are another option, although they can only take light submersion and can’t stop raindrop splashes.
The likelihood is very high that your drone is neither waterproof nor water-resistant if you are unsure. Drones that are waterproof prominently display this distinct quality.
To be sure, reading the manual for your drone is the quickest method. The instructions will specify the ideal weather conditions for flying your drone.
How can a drone be shielded from the rain?
You might be wondering if there is a method to safeguard your drone after reading about the harmful impact wind, water, and cold temperatures can have on it.
IThereare only two ways for a drone to fly safely in the rain:
- built-in wind and water resistance
- How durable is the housing for your drone?
It’s time to talk more specifically about the IP rating as we’ve already made some hints about it. The IP rating, which stands for Ingress Protection, is a global scale that indicates how well-protected electronic equipment is against liquid and solid particles.
How to find the IP rating of your drone
The IP rating of your drone can be easily found in the handbook or via Google. It will show up as “IP” and then two digits. Protection from solid particles like dust is represented by the first. For now, we’ll set it aside.
The drone’s resistance to liquids is indicated by the second digit. You’ll notice an “X” in place of a number when information is unavailable for a particular type of protection (the manufacturer, for instance, did not test a drone’s water resistance).
Can you fly a DJI drone in the rain?
When surfing the internet, you could run into folks who claim their DJI drones have successfully flown in the rain. Such statements are unreliable.
Consumer DJI drones are not designed to operate in bad weather. These quadcopters are intended for recreational flying in appropriate circumstances, the manufacturer makes this very clear. Industrial models like the Agras and Matrice are the only DJI drones that can fly in the rain.
This issue will be resolved more effectively by taking a closer look at the most popular DJI models.
Can a DJI Mini 2 drone fly in the rain?
Due to its extreme lightness and lack of registration, the DJI Mini 2 is a consumer favorite. Its lighter weight and smaller size make it perfect for travel, but regrettably not for flying in inclement weather.
Because its enclosure is not watertight, a DJI Mini 2 drone shouldn’t be flown in the rain. Raindrops can get through and harm the electronic components.
This drone was not intended to be flown in inclement weather, even though water may not leak in very easily. Strong gusts would be difficult for a lightweight drone like this one to withstand.
Can a DJI Mavic Air 2 drone fly in the rain?
Even though the DJI Mavic Air 2 has a better camera, more security measures, and longer battery life, you shouldn’t buy it if you intend to move close to the Amazon.
Because the DJI Mavic Air 2 lacks an IP classification for protection against liquids, flying it in mist, dense fog, or rain might cause major issues.
It might not crash right away when it starts to rain, but over time the electrical motor can rust, and because of humidity, small short-circuits might happen, harming your drone’s sensors or perhaps its ability to fly.
Can a DJI Matrice 300 drone fly in the rain?
The Matrice 300 is one of DJI’s premium models that is aimed at business users. Numerous security measures, such as obstacle avoidance, aerial awareness tools, and weather resistance complement its outstanding performance.
Rain, wind, or extremely high or low temperatures won’t affect the DJI Matrice 300. However, when rainfall surpasses 200mm, not even this sophisticated drone should be used.
Bonus hint: Despite what some people may believe, Matrice 200, is not waterproof. Since this model only has a water-resistant housing, it can only fly in the rain intermittently
Can a DJI Mavic 3 drone fly in the rain?
With a better housing design, 5K resolution, and a flight speed close to 50 mph, the DJI Mavic 3 is one of this manufacturer’s most durable consumer drones.
Since the DJI Mavic 3 lacks an IP rating, it is technically forbidden to fly it in the rain. However, it won’t sustain any damage from a rapid landing should it begin to rain.
Because of the entry’s clever placement, rainwater will have a difficult time reaching the battery. It will arrive eventually, but it’s best to avoid flying in the rain for any longer than is necessary to land your aircraft.
Conclusion
You may be surprised to learn that drones can fly in the rain, but they can. The hard part is not the flying itself, but rather all of the other differences between flying outdoors and flying indoors.
I hope this article has been a useful starting point for deciding whether to fly your drone in the rain. If you do, always do it under safety precautions with precautions. Using a camera and filming the great outdoors, sceneries or even your backyard is a lot of fun and makes a great hobby, but can be harmful if you don’t use good judgment while doing so. Stay safe out there!
