I live in Colorado, so I do most of my (DJI) Mavic Mini flying either in the mountains, or along the foothills next to the mountains. Thus, I fly in wind a lot…steady wind, gusty wind, intermittent thermal wind. I fly in colder temperatures which would challenge any ESC (Electronic Speed Controller). I have often been flying my MM ‘blind’ (without a phone or DJI Fly app connected to the controller), and thus within close visual range. This allows me to see the immediate effects of winds and weather, and to closely evaluate the Mini’s response to inclement conditions.
…and I am here to tell you, the Mavic Mini is no fair-weather drone. Sure, it’s light and thus more susceptible to being pushed around than the bigger, stronger drones in the DJI fleet. But flown right, with care given to conditions and battery state, the Mini is a remarkably stable drone, despite its size (or lack thereof).
I read a lot in the DJI forums (and see a lot on YouTube) about the reported ‘flyaways’ (drones apparently zooming away, beyond the point of no return, where a pilot’s commands have no effect). I see a lot of flight logs with ESC errors (‘not enough power’), and a lot of conclusions that the Mini is just not strong enough to fly in those bad old winds.
If a pilot stays within the specified wind tolerances, the Mini (at least mine) will present no problems. It can even fly with stability in winds (and gusts) far beyond the stated parameters…if the pilot pays attention to battery charge and conditions, and doesn’t fly with too tight a margin between the drone and potential obstacles.
My general conclusion is that (in instances of reported flyaways) the pilot was most often flying beyond capabilities, unfamiliar with the aircraft and its responses, and ultimately was a victim of (an FAA code for accidents) OBE (Overcome By Events). Under the stress of the moment, the wrong commands were given, and the aircraft was lost (of course, the pilot would not die, but most likely would, if it were a manned aircraft).
Now, I may change my tune someday, and if I fly in the wind on low batteries, that day may come soon. Yet I am not rich, and if I lose my Mini due to pilot error (flying beyond the aircraft’s capabilities, or in adverse conditions and inclement weather that would preclude flight), then it will not be easily replaced. So I fly carefully, and have made sure I know this drone’s response to bad winds and bad weather before I fly it at extended distances, or over terrain where unexpected winds might carry the thing away. I give myself a safety margin, and know how to evaluate the wind, and know when to just fly another day, rather than risk a flyaway.
I’m learning what my drone can do, and am not asking it to do more. So far I have found no reason to conclude it is somehow too weak to fly in any wind worth mentioning. The fact is, the Mavic Mini is a marvel of aerospace engineering and miniaturization. Its performance exceeds what we could reasonably expect from such a drone. The last thing it is would be a is a ‘fair-weather drone.’
I’m just not buying the claim the Mavic Mini is a lightweight (in performance). It flies as well as we can expect for a drone of its specifications and build (and better, in cases where it is flown with care and skill (and a little bit of luck).
Of course, most pilots don’t believe in luck. Instead, they believe it is all about skill and preparedness…about a good ADM (Aeronautic Decision Making) and nothing else.
Now, I don’t budget ‘luck’ into my margin for error – but I sure am glad if I have some. Sometimes the wind (which would normally carry your Mini over that ridge and beyond recovery) will abate at the last moment. Sometimes, your reaction time and situational awareness are better than others. Is that luck? I don’t know. All I know is I have been flying my Mini somewhat carefully (especially for the first twenty battery charges or so- on three batteries). I can take chances later; when I am more proficient and know my drone’s performance even better. Until then, safe is the word.
I gamble with little things – not with a five hundred dollar drone. I take chances when snowboarding, not with expensive aircraft. Besides, taking chances is pretty much a young man’s game and I hope to be an old pilot who still has his original Mini, rather than a bold pilot who took chances and lost his.
Ultimately, the Mini is (in the broader spectrum of things) a fairweather drone. When compared to HALE (High Altitude Long Endurance) drones, the Mini is a LALE (Low Altitude Low Endurance), and has all the performance limitations you’d expect for a drone on one edge of the performance spectrum.
Within the class of smaller commercial battery-powered drones, the Mini might be considered a (pun not intended) LAME (Low Altitude Medium Endurance) considering the fairly long battery life compared to many other drones in its class, or a MAME (you guessed it Medium Altitude Medium Endurance), since its altitude ceiling is as good as many in its class.
Either way, it performs well enough for what it is. If I want to fly around at much higher speeds, seeing it all in FPV (First Person View), I need to build or buy a race drone, and get some FPV goggles (I can hardly wait). But if I want to cruise around and check it out casually, maybe do some cinematic filming, the Mini is the way to go. It gets steady shots, even in pretty strong winds and weather. All in all, I am pleased with its performance in the wind so far, but ‘pleased’ is subjective, and each person will have their own opinion in the matter.
Just get out there and fly one, and see what you think.
See you out there…
A Brave New Drone World 