We curated a list of the Exemplary High Altitude Drones To Rule. Check it out!
High-altitude drones have the edge of better flight time and less weight, making them suitable for aerial imagery. Dive in to know our top 5 picks for 2022.
If selecting a high-altitude drone is pushing you into a dilemma, this article would give you everything you need to know from considering flight time, ranges, and camera specifications of top drones in the market.
Hovering in place at a high altitude to take pictures might be a job for drones in the future. High-altitude drones are now replacing human intervention in aerial photography, specifically to take images in hard-to-reach-places in mining or mapping.
Flying is not just about simply pressing the gas. Many factors limit how high any flying machine can go. For example, it might be relatively calm when you’re near the ground, but as soon as you get higher, wind speeds can get much more substantial than a rotorcraft can handle.
Why should you go for a high-altitude drone?
High-altitude drones offer a considerable edge in implementing aerial photography from those regions that are hard to cover by humans. Remote sensing applications using high-altitude drones have simplified the areas of nature photography, mapping un-maneuverable places, cross-country surveillance and military requirements, etc.
High-altitude drones have the advantage of better flight time, range, and less weight when compared to low-altitude drones. Moreover, they are easy to use because they come equipped with a GPS, making adjustments whenever necessary.
The following sections of the article will help you choose a suitable high-altitude drone:
- Top 5 high-altitude drones
- Things to consider while buying a high-altitude drone
- Average pricing
- Uses of high-altitude drones
Top High Altitude Drones
Many drones are limited to an “airline level” of about 10,000 feet, but they will only go a set distance above the ground before they have to start descending. Also, remember that the maximum altitude above ground is different from above sea level (ASL).
These are five of the best high-altitude drones on the market right now. There are many considerations, but gaining maximum elevation and stability at high altitudes are the most important factors. We hope the list helps you find the perfect drone for your needs.
1. Autel Robotics Evo
Autel Robotics EVO has every bell and whistle you could want – a gorgeous design, powerful features, and great cameras. It also has up to 4 miles of transmission distance, 30 minutes of flight time under perfect conditions, and 4K footage stabilized at buttery 60 FPS.
Features:
- Foldable camera with dual GPS/GLONASS
- Easy one-touch action to RTH command
- Internal storage and Wi-Fi
- 4K 60FPS Ultra HD camera with 12MP photos
- Transmission distance up to 30 minutes
2. Parrot Anafi
The Parrot Anafi drone is perfect for the intermediate pilot. It has a ceiling limit of 4.5 km above sea level with a flight time of 25 minutes maximum with or without the wind.
The drone’s Lithium-Ion Polymer 2700mAh battery takes 2 hours to recharge and can be used for up to 4km. It also includes a return home function, making remote control an easy task, even for those with no experience.
Features:
- Maximum flight speed up to 50 KMPH
- A camera resolution of HDR, 4K UHD
- Compact and lightweight carbon frame
- Parrot skycontroller3 folding remote control
- Compatible with smartphones with FreeFlight 6 app
3. DJI Inspire 2
The DJI Inspire 2 is tailor-made for Hollywood productions and advanced projects. The Inspire 2 can come equipped with a 5.2K camera, solid, intelligent flight modes, and the right landing gear to give it a longer flight time of 25 – 27 minutes.
Features:
- Rated for an extraordinary 16500 feet ASL
- Equipped with Spotlight Pro
- Compatible with 5.2K Gimbal camera
- Obstacle sensors up to 16.4 feet
- Smart Return to Home (RTH)
4. Hubsan Zino
The Hubsan Zino drone has about 22 minutes of flight time and can fly up to 4 kilometers. The latter is for the Pro version. You’ll love the flight autonomy options, failsafe, Zino’s onboard GPS, altitude hold, and return to home features. With a 500-meter altitude cap, Zino does well in this area.
Features:
- 4K UHD camera with panorama shooting
- Vision Auxiliary landing with image tracking
- Advanced image transmission range up to 4 km
- Powerful brushless motor with a flight time of up to 23 minutes
- Anti-interference and high receiving sensibility
5. Yuneec Typhoon Q500 4K
The Q500 is a powerhouse, and its price is tough to beat. It has an excellent camera that records 4K video or 1080p at 120 frames per second. The Q500 is a stable aircraft, straightforward enough even for amateur photographers or videographers. It also comes with the ST10+, which includes a built-in screen.
Features:
- Integrated 3-axis gimbals camera
- 4K/30FPS Ultra HD and 1080p/120FPS slow-motion videos
- No-distortion lens with 12 MP photos
- No restriction cap with flying up to 3300 feet.
Buyer’s guide to choosing a high-altitude drone
It is essential to differentiate between distance and height for drones. A drone can typically fly for 10 km, but it does not mean the drone can fly for 10 km high. Again, a drone with a range of 1 km will not be able to go beyond 1 km in height.
The distance of the drone is only limited by signal strength, while its height is defined by two factors: signal strength and air pressure.
You can increase your drone’s range quickly by purchasing more signal strength, but it is much more challenging to do the same for height limitations because the air gets too thin after a certain point.
Following are some helpful considerations to help you select a reliable high-altitude drone.
- Checking with the regulations
The US has strict regulations about how high drones can fly, and it can be challenging to know how to comply with them. The FAA determines that the maximum altitude for drones is 400 feet (120 meters). This height is safe for many users, but it is not always enough for professional photographers or videographers to capture stunning images.
- Understanding of transmission and range
Drone pilots should know how to handle the range and limitations of their devices. It is crucial to understand how powerful and fast your drone can go. Keep in mind the class of airspace and any traffic. Your drone’s controller could stop communicating with it at a certain point, so make sure you know that, too.
- Flight time and airspace
You would be surprised to know how much you can get in just 15 minutes of flying. Most drones can fly for 30 or even 45 minutes! You should look for one that you can easily swap if you want to explore a variety of flight time ranges.
The Federal Aviation Administration pays attention to your knowledge of airspace. You must remain in sight of other aircraft and yield the right of way to them.
- Maintaining the visual line-of-sight
It is tough to maintain visual contact with a drone at a high altitude, and lost contact can put safety at risk. If the operator loses sight of the drone, it could fly out of sight and get lost.
It also becomes more challenging to make sure that it is in the same position, altitude, and direction as before. It could get worse with a slow-moving cloud layer behind.
Use Cases Of High-altitude Drones
High-altitude pseudo-satellites are unmanned aerial vehicles that fly high in the air for long periods. These drones can remain aloft for years and can carry out many tasks, including persistent surveillance or communications relay.
The military uses these systems to get around air defenses for surveillance, while Facebook and Google are betting on these devices to bring the Internet to remote areas. Here are some other use cases:
- Extensive surveillance
They are perfect for carrying out extensive surveillance and image-collection operations, especially for people looking for images at a satellite’s reach but without the cost of satellites.
A sub-orbital drone, solar-powered by Titan Aerospace, can collect the kind of images captured by satellites today at a price that’s about one-seventh of what you’d pay with traditional satellites.
- Tracking activities in the military
Sub-orbital drones may be the next generation of military aircraft. These high-altitude platforms could carry surveillance systems that track activity over a particular area for a long time.
And don’t forget that these drones could also serve as effective communications relay hubs for the military.
Final Words
We usually think of a small, buzzing quadcopter when we think of drones. High-altitude drones are different: they can be used for anything from taking pictures to national defense and even atmospheric research.
Advanced high-altitude drones can reach 18,000 meters and beyond, which makes them an invaluable tool for the future of air traffic control. The above list of high-altitude drones was a meager attempt to help you ease the search.
High-altitude Drones : FAQs
How high can a drone fly?
A drone’s flight depends on location and sea level, transmission, and vertical signals. Some drones can’t fly above a specific point, while others can experience transmission quality issues and signal dead zones.
Are max altitude and max flight range the same?
No, these are two different things. Maximum flight range stands for the height the drone can fly without losing contact with its transmitter. On the other hand, max altitude represents how high the drone can fly over sea level.
Can I hear the sound of the drone at 400 feet?
You can hear the sound of the drone as low as 100 feet, but it’s faint and not disturbing unless we’re talking about a larger drone like a Phantom or Inspire drone.
What are LOS and BVLOS?
OS stands for Line of Sight. If operators can see their drone with their own two eyes, that’s LOS. If the operator can’t see their drone anymore, that’s BVLOS or beyond the visible line of sight.
Also Read:
- DJI Battery Station Review 2021 | Professional Power Management
- 6 Best Drones For Roof Inspection 2022
- How Fast and High can Drones Fly?
Jon is a passionate photographer and videographer who has been flying DJI drones for over 5 years. He loves the freedom and creativity that comes with capturing aerial footage and the unique perspective it provides. Jon is always on the lookout for new locations to explore and capture with his DJI drones. His favorite DJI drone is the Mavic 2 Pro, which he uses to capture stunning 4K footage with its Hasselblad camera. Jon is always eager to share his knowledge and experience with other drone enthusiasts and is a member of several online drone communities. When he’s not flying his DJI drone, Jon enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with his family.
DJI Inspire 2 Drone
We curated a list of the Exemplary High-altitude Drones To Rule Check it out!
Product SKU: 7534878FJHGJ6474565
Product Brand: DJI
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 3189
Price Valid Until: 2022
Product In-Stock: InStock
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