Well, summer is upon us, and those of us in the desert SW can feel it.  I have never flown in the summer heat with a quad, and wondered if there are any concerns with flying in warm temps.

I will likely only be flying in low to mid 90s in the early mornings as being out in 115* heat is no fun even if you're flying.  Yes, our nighttime temps are typically no cooler than mid 80s.  But mid 90s in the shade, is still a lot hotter with the sun beating down on the quad in flight.

I figure warmer air temps will impact the flight performance of the quad, warm thinner air, but just how much?

Also, should I be concerned about components failing due to flying in higher temps? 

I would hate to take the summer off, as I'm just starting to improve my skills and taking 3 months off would be a setback for sure.

I don't think you'll have a problem as long as you are flying, but I wouldn't let it sit on and still for too long. I think the VTX is the most vulnerable to the heat so I'd turn the power output down to the minimum I would need and avoid high power with it unless absolutely necessary. I'm in the south, too, but a subtropical climate so take what I say with the caveat that I'm used to hot with high humidity but not desert hot. Of course I could say don't worry, it's a dry heat.

It's still better than flying in freezing temp
make sure don't leave your gear under the sun for too long and you should be fine.

VTX modules seem to be the worst in terms of heat "manufacturing" (especially those that take a large input voltage range and put it all in a simple voltage regulator). A 600 mW VTX produces enough heat to burn fingers in a 20-25 degrees environment, I hate to think what it'll be like in 40-45 degrees under the sun (plan to remove the heatshrink wrap, reapply thermal paste if it exists and/or heatsink it). Generally speaking, it'll probably work until some component fails due to heat (going outside the recommended temperature range does not insta-break it, it'll only fail sooner).

Krohsis,

If you are worried about your video transmitter frying, there are some good options for keeping it cool...one option that is overlooked.

You can add a heatsink on the transmitter with a small zip tie to hold it in place. The linked one comes with the heat sink stickers and transfers heat really good.

Or...


If you don't trust a heat sink to do the job, attach a 3.7v Peltier Thermal Plate  (cold side on the transmitter) with a 20x20mm heat sink sticker and zip tie. You can tie it into a 3v system or use a micro regulator. If it is over powered it will fail and never work again.

I use these Peltier plates in my electronics for cooling and also for generating remote power by converting waste heat into DC power. They come in various sizes and are used in the Mars Rovers as additional power supplies.

Vaxxi actually made a good point about VTX might be getting overheat, maybe try avoiding using anything higher than 200mW, if you do need that much power add a heatsink as ARC suggested.

Thanks for all the input guys. Heatsinking sounds like a plan.

I find a cold beer keeps me flying longer in warmer temperatures.

Keep your lens on your camera covered when grounded. I burned a sensor on Lizzie when I left it on a table next to me last summer. Really bummed me out!

Never had any issue with heat on the hottest, most humid days. I would think you are in a dryer clime...might be cautious of static hitting vital electronic components.

Thanks Kaity....I hadn't thought about the static discharge issue.