Launch plansu/alpine_ops11h ago Solved
Mapping a ridge for a trail survey next week. Fixed-wing, 90-minute endurance at sea level. Sky suggested launching from the east saddle at 7am.
Anyone flown at this altitude? Wondering how much margin I actually have.
How it turned out
Launched at 7am from the east saddle and landed with a 17-minute reserve.
Where
East saddle, 3,000m
Conditions
Tuesday 7am forecast
Nothing is actually ordered or flown — this shows how it works.
Sky10h agoAI answer · pinned
At 3,000m your endurance drops to about 68 minutes in the simulation, and the 7am window has the calmest wind of the week. The full route takes 52 minutes, so you keep a 16-minute reserve. I'd move the second waypoint 200m north to stay out of the turbulence off the ridge.
u/highfield8h ago
Cold batteries at that altitude too. Keep them warm until launch.