Overview
This article explains how DroneDeploy manages aircraft height during different phases of flight, specifically focusing on Travel Altitude and Return to Home (RTH) Altitude. Understanding these behaviors ensures safer flight operations and prevents collisions with obstacles.
Travel altitude
Travel altitude is the height at which the drone flies while moving to the starting point of a mission or between different mission segments.
The drone climbs to the set Travel Altitude before moving horizontally toward the first waypoint.
If the mission includes multiple flight areas, the drone maintains this altitude while transitioning between them.
You can adjust this setting in the Flight Settings menu within the DroneDeploy Ground App.
Return to Home (RTH) altitude
RTH altitude is the height the aircraft maintains when it automatically returns to the takeoff point. This behavior triggers when you click the Return to Home button, if the battery reaches a critical level, or if the connection is lost.
Standard RTH behavior: When you initiate RTH, the drone compares its current altitude to the preset RTH altitude.
Ascent rule: If the current altitude is lower than the RTH altitude, the drone climbs to the RTH altitude before returning.
Maintenance rule: If the current altitude is higher than the RTH altitude, the drone maintains its current height during the return to avoid unnecessary descents that could lead to obstacle interference.
Key details
When setting these altitudes, consider the tallest obstacles in your flight area, such as trees, power lines, or buildings. DroneDeploy recommends setting both Travel and RTH altitudes to at least 50ft (15m) above the tallest obstacle.
Limitations
Manual interference: If the pilot takes manual control during an RTH sequence, the automated altitude behaviors may be overridden.
Terrain awareness: Travel altitude is relative to the takeoff point. If you fly over terrain with significant elevation changes, use the Terrain Awareness feature to maintain a safe distance from the ground.
FAQs
Q: Can I change the RTH altitude mid-flight? A: Yes. You can update the RTH altitude in the Safety settings; however, the change only applies to RTH sequences initiated after the update.
Q: What happens if the drone is already higher than the RTH altitude when I click the button? A: The drone stays at its current altitude and returns to the home point. It does not descend to the lower RTH altitude until it is safely over the takeoff location.
V2.2