There is no predicting what nature will throw at you regarding the weather. Experienced drone pilots know that the weather can change on a dime. If you are a rookie drone pilot in a survey company, you could be assigned a project when weather conditions are less than optimal. Besides, a project might be urgent, and you do not have time to wait for the weather to clear. Therefore, what do you do when you have to fly a drone in sub-zero temperature? This article highlights tips for successfully flying a drone in winter.

Use Fully-Charged Batteries Only — Drones run on lithium polymer batteries, and one thing about the cells is that they do not do too well in sub-zero temperatures. Therefore, always make sure that the batteries are fully charged. It is the only way of ensuring that a drone stays airborne for a substantial amount of time before the low temperatures take a toll on it. Apart from charging the batteries, you can pre-heat them before loading them in a drone. Most electronics stores sell battery heaters solely designed for this purpose.

Hover — When piloting a drone in very cold conditions, you might be tempted to get to work immediately in a bid to finish a project fast. However, doing this might lead to drone issues because some parts, such as the battery contacts and the lenses, will still be cold. Consequently, it will affect the effectiveness of your drone and impact your operations. The best way to heat every part of a drone is to let the drone hover for a few minutes after take-off. It warms the battery contacts and clears any mist in the lenses. Not only does it generate clear images throughout a project, but it also keeps a drone running for longer.

Maintain a Stable Altitude — It is important to be aware that the air higher up will be much colder during a land survey. Higher altitudes are much colder during winter than lower altitudes, and you should be wary of it when flying a drone. If your drone moves between high and low areas, you expose it to fluctuating temperatures. It makes the batteries work extra hard, limiting a drone's flight time. Therefore, it is critical to maintain a stable altitude when flying a drone to prevent the effects of fluctuating temperatures. It is also essential to avoid sustained high speeds.

For more information about flying drones, like Dji drones, contact a local supplier.