Water takeoff - recommendations?

Posted by Erik Graham on July 6, 2015 at 5:59pm

Anyone have any experience taking off from boats with an Iris+?

Same question for landing on a boat....

I'm pretty sure I can pull it off.  If I leave early enough the lake will be flat, almost glass flat.  However, any slight wind or wave, or movement by people on the boat will create rocking (I'll be on a Boston Whaler - not a big boat).  Even if the boat is perfectly still, its unlikely that I will have a perfectly level takeoff platform.  

I probably could (and should) get to shore on one of the islands and launch from there, but I'm curious if anyone has any experience with water launches.  The landing on the boat could be dicey.  I think I'll bring some gloves in case I  need to hand catch.

Any and all advice and experience would be welcome.

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Replies

  • Erik Graham July 7, 2015 at 1:39pm

    So the consensus opinion is that the biggest issue is the accelerometers on power up.  No matter how calm the lake, the boat won't be dead still and probably not level.

    But if I can power up on a level rock on an island somewhere, then we can hop back in the boat and fly from there.  Per Steven Adams post, we could even launch the Iris from the boat - as long as we don't power cycle at any time.

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    • Steven Adams July 7, 2015 at 12:06pm

      you can power up the quad on land - you could either power up via the USB port with a USB battery pack, or a Y cable on the battery connector with a battery other than your flight pack to keep it powered before and after flights.

    • Erik Graham July 7, 2015 at 7:51am
      Well today I'll scout some locations on land but these islands are rugged. It's not going to be easy to find a clear level area to take off from. Just getting to the islands is hard enough. I'll probably have to wade to shore holding the Iris over my head in a sealed plastic bag. My waterproof hard case is not here.

      As for landing on a boat, I'm not to worried about that. Knock on wood, but I've got enough experience landing in tight spots in hairy conditions.
  • Steven Adams July 6, 2015 at 11:29pm

    I'd be more concerned with powering it up before I left stable ground so the gyros were set properly, other than that I think I'd do a fast take off and punch it right up off the deck - and be more vigilant with your voltage. RTL or Land aren't modes you want to hit on a moving boat out in the water

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