DJI Air 3 wind limit
DJI’s rated wind resistance, recommended limits in every unit, and what a ground forecast means at 120 m.
DJI rates the Air 3 for winds up to 12.0 m/s (27 mph, 43 km/h, Level 6). A steady 20 mph (8.9 m/s) at flight height is 75% of that rating, which our score calls Marginal. For a comfortable margin keep sustained wind at altitude under 7.2 m/s (16 mph) and estimated gusts under 9.6 m/s (21 mph).
Wind limits in every unit
Our default go/no-go thresholds are a share of the maker’s rating: sustained wind up to 60% is within your limits, up to 85% is marginal; estimated gusts up to 80% are within, up to 100% marginal.
| m/s | km/h | mph | knots | Beaufort | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DJI’s max wind rating | 12.0 | 43 | 27 | 23 | 6 |
| Sustained wind: within your limits up to (60%) | 7.2 | 26 | 16 | 14 | 4 |
| Sustained wind: marginal up to (85%) | 10.2 | 37 | 23 | 20 | 5 |
| Estimated gusts: within your limits up to (80%) | 9.6 | 35 | 21 | 19 | 5 |
| Estimated gusts: marginal up to (100%) | 12.0 | 43 | 27 | 23 | 6 |
What a ground forecast means at 120 m
Most forecasts give wind at 10 m. Higher up it is stronger. With the standard power law (α = 0.14 over open land by day, about 0.25 at night or over towns and forest), here is the sustained wind the Air 3 meets at 120 m (400 ft), and how our score rates it. Altiwind uses the model’s own 80, 120 and 180 m winds where they exist.
| Wind at 10 m | 120 m, open land by day | Score | 120 m, night or urban | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 km/h (6 mph) | 14 km/h | Within your limits | 19 km/h | Within your limits |
| 15 km/h (9 mph) | 21 km/h | Within your limits | 28 km/h | Marginal |
| 20 km/h (12 mph) | 28 km/h | Marginal | 37 km/h | Outside your limits |
| 25 km/h (16 mph) | 35 km/h | Marginal | 47 km/h | Outside your limits |
| 30 km/h (19 mph) | 42 km/h | Outside your limits | 56 km/h | Outside your limits |
| 35 km/h (22 mph) | 50 km/h | Outside your limits | 65 km/h | Outside your limits |
| 40 km/h (25 mph) | 57 km/h | Outside your limits | 74 km/h | Outside your limits |
Sustained wind only. Gusts come on top: Altiwind adds the forecast 10 m gust excess (gust minus mean, never less than 20% of the wind), so check the estimated gusts too. See wind at altitude and gust forecast. UAV Forecast also shows wind by height: how it compares with Altiwind.
Cold weather
DJI rates the Air 3 down to -10 °C. Batteries lose capacity in the cold well before that, so Altiwind marks every hour below 5 °C as marginal with a battery warning, and below -10 °C as outside your limits. More in flying drones in cold weather.
Rain and moisture
There is no water rating stated for the Air 3, so Altiwind treats rain as a limit: a rain chance of 20% or more is marginal and 50% or more is outside your limits. Fog and low cloud also cut visibility, which the score checks separately. See fog, rain and humidity.
Similar drones
- DJI Air 3S12.0 m/s
- DJI Matrice 40012.0 m/s
- DJI Matrice 4E12.0 m/s
- DJI Matrice 4T12.0 m/s
- DJI Matrice 350 RTK12.0 m/s
- DJI Matrice 3012.0 m/s
Sources
- DJI Air 3 specifications (maker)
FAQ
Can the DJI Air 3 fly in 20 mph wind?
20 mph is 8.9 m/s, 75% of the 12.0 m/s rating from DJI. Altiwind scores that as marginal for sustained wind at flight height. Gusts and the stronger wind higher up matter too.
What is the DJI Air 3’s wind resistance level?
12.0 m/s (43 km/h, 27 mph), which is Level 6 on the Beaufort scale. That is the most the drone is designed to handle, not a comfortable working wind.
Can the DJI Air 3 fly in cold weather?
DJI rates the Air 3 down to -10 °C. Batteries lose capacity in the cold well before that, so Altiwind marks every hour below 5 °C as marginal with a battery warning, and below -10 °C as outside your limits.
Is the DJI Air 3 waterproof?
DJI doesn’t state a water rating for it, so treat rain and wet fog as outside your limits.