Does RTH have a way to calculate headwinds returning home??

[HiloHawaiian]

I’m guessing not, but I’m sure many of you are smarter about this than I am. I’d be nice to know to plan accordingly next time. I ask because yesterday, out on the pacific coast, I was flying in ridiculous winds. The XSP flew perfectly, you’d never know by looking at the video. I was over a big Ag field right on the ocean. The XSP was inland from me flying back under low battery RTH, into a stiff on-shore 20 mph wind + gusts. About 50’ away, it suddenly landed. No problem, I walked over and got it. That’s never happened before, battery had 8 cycles... It makes sense it would burn more power flying into a strong wind going home.......right??

 

[Jagerbomb52]

Thats why most will tell you never fly long distance down wind. Things can get pretty harry coming back.

 

[HiloHawaiian]

Thats why most will tell you never fly long distance down wind. Things can get pretty harry coming back.

Makes total sense....

 

[Ansia]

The drone calculates the battery it will need to fly back with certain amount of variables within the equation. It does not know how fast the winds that are hitting it are going. I was flying earlier today in 20+ mph winds with gusts up to 50mph. I have no idea how I did not crash, but the camera kept turning left or right, forcing me to land to recalibrate the gimbal, due to high winds.

 

[thomasr]

I wish there was a way they could get the Evo to realize it's current speed setting -- see how fast it is really going -- and automatically adjust itself in these situations.

Seems if I know by looking at the telemetry that I've hit a headwind -- it should be able to also... lol

One main problem here is RTH max speed is 22 MPH -- regardless of FOA on or off. I wish this could be overridden -- as long as you know your environment and are sure it can get back home without hitting anything.... lol

 

[Ansia]

I wish there was a way they could get the Evo to realize it's current speed setting -- see how fast it is really going -- and automatically adjust itself in these situations.

Seems if I know by looking at the telemetry that I've hit a headwind -- it should be able to also... lol

One main problem here is RTH max speed is 22 MPH -- regardless of FOA on or off. I wish this could be overridden -- as long as you know your environment and are sure it can get back home without hitting anything.... lol

I have never RTH with the Evo, so I wouldn't know, but does the Evo really RTH at 22mph? If so, that would be amazing. From experience, other drone companies RTH at around 10-12mph. If you are flying against stronger winds, you will never see your drone again.

 

[thomasr]

I have never RTH with the Evo, so I wouldn't know, but does the Evo really RTH at 22mph? If so, that would be amazing. From experience, other drone companies RTH at around 10-12mph. If you are flying against stronger winds, you will never see your drone again.

I of course can't find the exact video at the exact second to share -- but yes -- RTH is limited to top speeds of 22 MPH.

This makes sense when FOA is on, as it is restricted to top speed of 22 MPH when in GPS mode.

This does not make sense when the sensors are off.

This is why as I am learned from you and a few other people -- is important not to trust RTH.

Just manually whip that thing around when you get battery low warning and head back home yourself. This way you can select 34 or 45 MPH as needed to fight headwind.

 

[joshmentele]

I’m guessing not, but I’m sure many of you are smarter about this than I am. I’d be nice to know to plan accordingly next time. I ask because yesterday, out on the pacific coast, I was flying in ridiculous winds. The XSP flew perfectly, you’d never know by looking at the video. I was over a big Ag field right on the ocean. The XSP was inland from me flying back under low battery RTH, into a stiff on-shore 20 mph wind + gusts. About 50’ away, it suddenly landed. No problem, I walked over and got it. That’s never happened before, battery had 8 cycles... It makes sense it would burn more power flying into a strong wind going home.......right??

I am sure there would be a way to figure out the wind resistance using data from the gyros and its flight speed/characteristics, but it wouldn't be able to completely predict its battery estimate.

 

[Nightbat2]

Given a choice, I would rather fly out into the wind and return home with it. If conditions are doubtful—changing winds, gusty etc—there is a more fundamental choice: fly or not fly.

 

[Ansia]

I flew yesterday in 24mph+ winds with gusts 7p to 50mph. Every so often the camera would bend left or right and wouldn't go back to center, ruining my shot. I had to take the drone down each time and reboot. In conclusion, if your Evo's camera is looking the wrong way on it's owm, it's time to go down.

 

[thomasr]

I reached out to Autel earlier this evening - they are very quick and responsive! I asked the following:




And here was the response I got:

 

[thomasr]

looks like no new videos coming soon then either --

see how I read between the lines? ?

 

[2edgesword]

I'm pretty sure the 22mph is ground speed so up to a point the EVO is going to use whatever power is available to reach that 22mph against a headwind. In addition going faster may not be the most efficient means of covering distance. I don't remember the numbers but resistance increases as speed increase so there is probably some optimal speed for return to home that will be most efficient. Maybe that is why 22mph was chosen as the RTH speed.