Can the DJI Neo fly in 15 mph wind?
The DJI rating, what a 15 mph forecast becomes at 30–120 m, and when gusts tip it over.
No. Weather apps forecast the wind 10 m above ground, and it is stronger where the drone flies: a 15 mph forecast means about 17 mph at 30 m and 21 mph at 120 m on open land by day. Against the Neo’s 18 mph rating that is Outside your limits at both heights.
If 15 mph is the wind measured at flight height, it is 84% of the rating: Marginal, so keep flights short, the drone close and the way home into the wind.
How strong is 15 mph?
15 mph is 6.7 m/s, 24 km/h or 13 knots: Beaufort 4, a moderate breeze. See the Beaufort scale for drone pilots.
A 15 mph forecast, by height
Forecast apps give the wind 10 m above ground. It gets stronger with height, more so at night and over towns or forest, where the air near the ground is held back. Here is a 15 mph forecast at the heights you fly the Neo, scored against its 18 mph rating.
| Height | Open land, day | Score | Night, town or forest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 m (100 ft) | 17 mph | Outside your limits | 20 mph | Outside your limits |
| 60 m (200 ft) | 19 mph | Outside your limits | 23 mph | Outside your limits |
| 90 m (300 ft) | 20 mph | Outside your limits | 26 mph | Outside your limits |
| 120 m (400 ft) | 21 mph | Outside your limits | 28 mph | Outside your limits |
Standard power law (α = 0.14 by day over open land, 0.25 at night or over rough ground). The app uses the weather model’s own 80, 120 and 180 m winds where they exist. More in wind at altitude.
The Neo’s wind limits
At flight height, sustained wind is within your limits up to 11 mph (60% of the rating) and marginal up to 15 mph (85%). Estimated gusts are within your limits up to 14 mph and marginal up to 18 mph, the maker’s maximum.
In forecast terms: for flying at 120 m, a 10 m forecast under about 8 mph keeps the Neo within your limits on open land by day (under 6 mph at night or over towns), and up to about 11 mph it is marginal. Lower down, the same forecast leaves more room.
Gusts
Gusts ride on top of the mean wind. For example, 15 mph gusting to 25 mph puts the gusts at 140% of the rating: Outside your limits. Altiwind estimates gusts at your height from the forecast 10 m gust and always labels them as estimates. See gusts vs sustained wind.
At 135 g the Neo is a sub-250 g drone. Light airframes are pushed around more by gusts, and holding position or flying home into a 15 mph headwind drains the battery faster than the rated 18 minutes (measured in calm air) suggest. Turn back with charge to spare. Selfie drones like the Neo usually fly low and close, where the wind is weaker than at 120 m but gusts around buildings and trees are stronger: check the 30 m row.
More wind questions
- Can the Neo fly in 20 mph wind?
- Can the Neo fly in 25 mph wind?
- DJI Neo wind resistance: all limits and specs
15 mph for other drones
- DJI Mini 2 in 15 mph
- DJI Neo 2 in 15 mph
- DJI Mini 4K in 15 mph
- DJI Mini 4 Pro in 15 mph
- DJI Flip in 15 mph
Compared
FAQ
Can the DJI Neo fly in 15 mph wind?
No. Weather apps forecast the wind 10 m above ground, and it is stronger where the drone flies: a 15 mph forecast means about 17 mph at 30 m and 21 mph at 120 m on open land by day. Against the Neo’s 18 mph rating that is Outside your limits at both heights. If 15 mph is the wind measured at flight height, it is 84% of the rating: Marginal, so keep flights short, the drone close and the way home into the wind.
What wind is too strong for the DJI Neo?
Above 15 mph of sustained wind at flight height (85% of its 18 mph rating) Altiwind scores it as outside your limits. 18 mph (8.0 m/s) is the maker’s maximum, not a comfortable working wind.
How strong is 15 mph wind?
15 mph is 6.7 m/s or 24 km/h, Beaufort 4 (moderate breeze).