How Long Can A Drone Fly?

One of the most important features you need to look for in a drone is its flight time. The best quality drones manage to stay in the air for 30 minutes. Cheap drones might only fly for 5 – 10 minutes before needing recharged. Professional drone flyers keep a ton of spare batteries so they can fly all day.

How long a drone manages to stay up in the air depends on a number of factors, such as:

1. Battery Life

Batteries come in various sizes for different drone models. Naturally, a more powerful battery will be able to keep your drone in the air for a longer period of time. It’s important to remember that batteries degrade over time unless they’re maintained properly. So, a well-looked after battery will continue to provide a longer flight time compared to a battery which charges less efficiently after some months.

Look for a drone with a lithium battery if you want a longer lasting drone. Lithium batteries are able to store more energy and they can be used a lot more before they degrade. You will pay extra, but the luxury that lithium batteries affords makes it worth it.

2. Weight of the Drone

Depending on whether the drone carries one motor, two or four, as well as the weight and surface area of the machine, the battery will have to do more work to keep the entire structure in the air. A large drone needs a suitably large battery to ensure a long flight time.

Drones that are made from light weight materials will fly longer.

3. Add-Ons

The weight of the drone does not depend only on its own weight, but also on the weight of the various gadgets attached to it. Drones are rarely sent into flight on their own other than by flight hobbyists. For professional drones, usually there is some version of a camera, sensor, recorder or similar device attached to its top. The heavier the add-ons, lesser will be the amount of time the drone is able to stay in the air.

An average drone will only fly for around 10 minutes. High end drones can last much longer, often 20 minutes or more. As with most things, the price you pay greatly impacts how long your drone will last. Keep reading to see which drones have the best battery life.

Now that you know which aspects of a drone-flying operation decide its flight time, here are some things you can do to make sure your drone stays in the air as long as possible:

1. If the drone carries a lithium-polymer battery, avoid using it in cold weather. The cold has a negative effect on the efficiency of the battery, making it discharge more quickly.
2. On the other hand, excessively hot weather means the drone’s motor needs to work harder to create lift. Therefore, the battery charge gets expended more quickly. it is also advisable to wait for the battery to cool down before recharging it to avoid overheating.
3. Windy weather means the drone has to fight through strong winds and expend more energy to remain stable. If the wind speed exceeds 20 MPH, not only will the flight time be reduced, but you also run the risk of the drone blowing off course and crashing into buildings or trees.
4. Water is not good for your drone. Most drone-enthusiasts know better than to fly their machine in the rain, but fewer people realise that flying drones in humid weather is also dangerous. The precipitation in the atmosphere can cause damage to the motors as well as the battery and result in reduced flight time.
5. Try to keep the drone free of any excess weight. Only attach the add-ons to the drone when you want to use them, and not every time you send the drone out for a flight.
6. If you’re using prop guards, they’ll protect the drone during crashes, but also add weight and make the machine less nimble. As you grow more experienced flying the drone, consider removing the guards for a longer flight time.
7. Avoid flying at full throttle at high speeds. This makes the battery drain very quickly. Also avoid depleting the battery fully. Fully charge the battery once in three months. If the battery needs to be stored away from the drone, make sure it’s kept in a dry and ventilated area at room temperature.

Using these tips, you can help your drone stay in the air for as long as possible. But even the best maintenance practices can only help so much if your drone is not specifically designed to last long in the air. Here are some of the latest drone models that guarantee the longest flight times:

1. The DJI Mavic Pro

The Mavic Pro may look small, but its built to provide terrific endurance on long range missions. It can operate within a range of 7 kilometres from its control box, but what really makes the drone remarkable is its powerful battery that can keep it in the air for more than 25 minutes! Other drones in its class max out at around 10-15 minutes of flight time.

2. DJI Inspire

One of the oldest and most trusted brands in the industry, DJI recently came out with their latest drone, and as expected, its chock-full of cool new toys and enhanced machine capabilities. Aside from being stuffed with sensors and carrying a cool obstacle avoidance navigation system, the drone also offers a satisfying flight time of 25-27 minutes. Solid stability in windy weather also add to the drone’s appeal.

3. Blade Chroma 4K

Weighing 2.9 pounds with a 6,300 mAh battery, the Blade Chroma is a solid addition to this list. The body is compact and solidly designed. Adhesive skins are available to change the colour of the drone as you please, while broken machine part replacements can be ordered from Horizon Hobby. The drone offers a flight time of 20+ minutes when carrying a camera, and stripping the machine of all its add-ons can extend its flight time to more than 30 minutes.

Any one of the above drones can ensure a long and enjoyable flight session, while keeping the maintenance tips mentioned above in mind will ensure that your drone keeps serving you interests a long time to come.