Drone "max service ceiling"

[Conor]

I know nothing of how DJI tests or qualifies their service ceiling. My guess is that the ceiling and metric (100'/mile, kind of odd for a drone) is for STP. You'll have to remember pilots use a "static" pressure reading anchored to inches of Hg @ sea level, but when they reference temp it is "dynamic" and tied to an altitude, which at 13,000' is about 12 or 13 deg F. "Density Altitude" is the aeronautical term you're looking for. Again, you'll have to call DJI and ask. I wouldn't expect to hit a home run on the first call.

But, like an airplane when you hit the service ceiling, you'll just stop climbing, not come crashing down. Perhaps something that can be overcome with different props? I'd be more worried about the horrendous winds we tend to have during the winter. I don't own a drone, but my guess is there are limited days you'll want to fly it in the winter...that's just a hunch.

Or....you could just buy the drone with the "proper rating."

[jmanner]

I know nothing of how DJI tests or qualifies their service ceiling. My guess is that the ceiling and metric (100'/mile, kind of odd for a drone) is for STP. You'll have to remember pilots use a "static" pressure reading anchored to inches of Hg @ sea level, but when they reference temp it is "dynamic" and tied to an altitude, which at 13,000' is about 12 or 13 deg F. "Density Altitude" is the aeronautical term you're looking for. Again, you'll have to call DJI and ask. I wouldn't expect to hit a home run on the first call.

But, like an airplane when you hit the absolute ceiling, you'll just stop climbing, not come crashing down. Perhaps something that can be overcome with different props? I'd be more worried about the horrendous winds we tend to have during the winter. I don't own a drone, but my guess is there are limited days you'll want to fly it in the winter...that's just a hunch.

Or....you could just buy the drone with the "proper rating."

fixed that for you.

[mikefromcraig]

Well, as expected, calling the dji customer service was a waste of time.

I explained the question and was given the response, "You may lose signal if you go beyond the max service ceiling." I explained that my question has nothing to do with the distance from the transmitter to the drone. I don't think he ever understood this so I then asked to be transferred to someone who was more knowledgeable. This second person gave me the exact same response. I then asked him to transfer me to someone who was more knowledgeable and when he did I asked the person, "Hello, I have a technical question about max service ceiling. Is that something you are knowledgeable about?" He responded, "Yes." But then when I started to ask the question he said, "Oh, hey, you are the guy from a few minutes ago!" So this third person was just the first person again. I asked why he claimed to be knowledgeable on a subject we have already established he knew nothing about and he responded, "Well, I can look it up."

I should have hung up at that point but I'm a glutton for punishment so I waited to see where this was going. After 5 minutes he came back and actually told me that if I'm starting out at 14,000' then I would be able to go 13,000' above that for a total of 27,000' above sea level.

An excellent illustration of how admitting "I don't know" is often far better than trying to talk about subjects you know nothing about.

[nsaladin]

Well, as expected, calling the dji customer service was a waste of time.

I explained the question and was given the response, "You may lose signal if you go beyond the max service ceiling." I explained that my question has nothing to do with the distance from the transmitter to the drone. I don't think he ever understood this so I then asked to be transferred to someone who was more knowledgeable. This second person gave me the exact same response. I then asked him to transfer me to someone who was more knowledgeable and when he did I asked the person, "Hello, I have a technical question about max service ceiling. Is that something you are knowledgeable about?" He responded, "Yes." But then when I started to ask the question he said, "Oh, hey, you are the guy from a few minutes ago!" So this third person was just the first person again. I asked why he claimed to be knowledgeable on a subject we have already established he knew nothing about and he responded, "Well, I can look it up."

I should have hung up at that point but I'm a glutton for punishment so I waited to see where this was going. After 5 minutes he came back and actually told me that if I'm starting out at 14,000' then I would be able to go 13,000' above that for a total of 27,000' above sea level.

An excellent illustration of how admitting "I don't know" is often far better than trying to talk about subjects you know nothing about.

this is the same drone Eli used on Elbert: https://dronedj.com/2018/07/16/dji-mavi ... feet-high/

[Eli Boardman]

Well, as expected, calling the dji customer service was a waste of time.

It is a well known fact that DJI has the worst possible customer service. I've heard no end of horror stories on warranty issues, tech questions, etc. etc. The drones are great, the customer service is awful. Just fly carefully and you shouldn't ever have to be in contact with DJI.

this is the same drone Eli used on Elbert: https://dronedj.com/2018/07/16/dji-mavi ... feet-high/

That's very cool, thanks for sharing! They must have been super lucky with the winds, I would guess. They're also lucky that Pakistan probably has non-existent drone regulations, since flying more than 400 feet above ground level in the USA requires special permission from the FAA.

[mikefromcraig]

That picture of K2 doesn't seem to be parallel to the summit. But even if the drone was only 24,000' that tells us a lot because the max service ceiling for that drone is 16,000'. So I assume the Mavic Spark with its 13,000' max service ceiling could fly around at 14,000' no problem!

[XterraRob]

IMO attach a drone to a high altitude balloon if you really want to get up high.

[nsaladin]

That picture of K2 doesn't seem to be parallel to the summit. But even if the drone was only 24,000' that tells us a lot because the max service ceiling for that drone is 16,000'. So I assume the Mavic Spark with its 13,000' max service ceiling could fly around at 14,000' no problem!

They have video of him beginning his descent on skis from an overhead angle when he was leaving the summit.

https://youtu.be/ocW6mxEmXgw?t=32s