Drone "max service ceiling"

[mikefromcraig]

I was just about to buy a dji spark to get some creative summit shots this winter but then noticed this obscure stat:

Max Service Ceiling Above Sea Level 13,123 feet (4,000 m)

This is apparently defined as the highest the drone can maintain a 100ft elevation gain per mile distance. So now I'm wondering if it can even maintain elevation at 14,200'. I understand that cold temperature can offset the effects of altitude in that colder temperature at a given altitude is more dense and therefore provides more lift than warmer temperature. And I'm assuming that the max service ceiling is probably measured using a fairly high temperature (maybe 60).

Long story short, will the dji spark be able to fly (even if very slowly) at 14,200'?

Thanks!

[BillMiddlebrook]

Drone trolling, Mike? Just asking before we get rolling.

[mikefromcraig]

Drone trolling, Mike? Just asking before we get rolling.

LOL How could such a specific question be a troll job?

[Eli Boardman]

I don't know about the Spark, but the Mavic Pro (more expensive) has a service ceiling of 5000 meters. I've successfully flown my Mavic Pro at the summit of Elbert, reaching max altitudes of over 14,500 feet with no adverse effects.

Sorry I can't help specifically with the Spark, but if you're willing to add the extra $, I highly recommend the Mavic Pro. It's about twice the price of the Spark, but worth it IMO.

Before anyone grabs the pitchforks, it's totally legal to fly drones within 400 feet above ground level over Mount Elbert, since it's not in a federally designated Wilderness, among other reasons.

[LURE]

They sure don't "fly" here on the forums.

I crack myself up.

Now we can open the gates. OR have an honest discussion about high altitude drone efficacy. Either way.

[mikefromcraig]

I don't know about the Spark, but the Mavic Pro (more expensive) has a service ceiling of 5000 meters. I've successfully flown my Mavic Pro at the summit of Elbert, reaching max altitudes of over 14,500 feet with no adverse effects.

Sorry I can't help specifically with the Spark, but if you're willing to add the extra $, I highly recommend the Mavic Pro. It's about twice the price of the Spark, but worth it IMO.

Wow, you really can't tell a difference in climbing ability at 14,500'?

[kaiman]

I was just about to buy a dji spark to get some creative summit shots this winter but then noticed this obscure stat:

Max Service Ceiling Above Sea Level 13,123 feet (4,000 m)

This is apparently defined as the highest the drone can maintain a 100ft elevation gain per mile distance. So now I'm wondering if it can even maintain elevation at 14,200'. I understand that cold temperature can offset the effects of altitude in that colder temperature at a given altitude is more dense and therefore provides more lift than warmer temperature. And I'm assuming that the max service ceiling is probably measured using a fairly high temperature (maybe 60).

Long story short, will the dji spark be able to fly (even if very slowly) at 14,200'?

Thanks!

It may be an elevation limit on that specific model due to it’s design. As drones have been used in the Karakoram and Himalaya for recon and rescues at 27,000-28,000 feet, other models obviously don’t have those altitude limits.

[Eli Boardman]

Wow, you really can't tell a difference in climbing ability at 14,500'?

Not functionally. Maybe if I cross-referenced motor RPMs and vertical speed it would be noticeable. I think the main problem becomes stability--the drone always needs to be flying at significantly less than 100% power in order to save some extra power for directional and attitude adjustments (both autonomous and user-input). On Elbert, it was nearly calm, so it seemed to fly about the same as at 7,000 feet. The battery probably drained faster, but again, I wasn't trying any scientific measurements on performance, so all I can say is it worked as intended and I got the video I wanted.

[nsaladin]

I'd like to hear from these guys which drone was used for this:

[12ersRule]

drolling - drone trolling.

It was sad that in the first few seasons of the Flintstones - Fred used to say 'Droll, very droll' all the time, and then he just stopped saying it.

[justiner]

"Rolling" is actually a technique to get any drone to fly higher.

[mikefromcraig]

"Rolling" is actually a technique to get any drone to fly higher.

haha when I clicked on the link, eager to learn what the "rolling technique" was, it started with an advertisement so technically I was NOT Rick Rolled!