HoverAir X1 wind limit
HoverAir’s rated wind resistance, recommended limits in every unit, and what a ground forecast means at 120 m.
HoverAir rates the X1 for winds up to 7.9 m/s (18 mph, 28 km/h, Level 4). A steady 15 mph (6.7 m/s) at flight height is 85% of that rating, which our score calls Marginal. For a comfortable margin keep sustained wind at altitude under 4.7 m/s (11 mph) and estimated gusts under 6.3 m/s (14 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HoverAir’s max wind rating | 7.9 | 28 | 18 | 15 | 4 |
| Sustained wind: within your limits up to (60%) | 4.7 | 17 | 11 | 9 | 3 |
| Sustained wind: marginal up to (85%) | 6.7 | 24 | 15 | 13 | 4 |
| Estimated gusts: within your limits up to (80%) | 6.3 | 23 | 14 | 12 | 4 |
| Estimated gusts: marginal up to (100%) | 7.9 | 28 | 18 | 15 | 4 |
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 X1 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 | Marginal |
| 15 km/h (9 mph) | 21 km/h | Marginal | 28 km/h | Outside your limits |
| 20 km/h (12 mph) | 28 km/h | Outside your limits | 37 km/h | Outside your limits |
| 25 km/h (16 mph) | 35 km/h | Outside your limits | 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
HoverAir rates the X1 down to 0 °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 0 °C as outside your limits. A 0 °C lower limit is common for this class: below freezing, keep flights short and batteries warm until takeoff. More in flying drones in cold weather.
Rain and moisture
There is no water rating stated for the X1, 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
- HoverAir X1 Smart7.9 m/s
- HoverAir Versa10.7 m/s
- HoverAir X1 Pro10.7 m/s
- HoverAir X1 ProMax10.7 m/s
- HoverAir Aqua17.0 m/s
- Autel EVO Nano7.9 m/s
Sources
- HoverAir X1 specifications (maker)
- www.aap.com.au (secondary source)
Not confirmed on the maker’s page: release year.
Wind stated as 17.7 mph (Level 4), converted to 7.9 m/s. Weight 125 g with battery. Release year from Zero Zero press release (sold in 2023).
FAQ
Can the HoverAir X1 fly in 15 mph wind?
15 mph is 6.7 m/s, 85% of the 7.9 m/s rating from HoverAir. Altiwind scores that as marginal for sustained wind at flight height. Gusts and the stronger wind higher up matter too.
What is the HoverAir X1’s wind resistance level?
7.9 m/s (28 km/h, 18 mph), which is Level 4 on the Beaufort scale. That is the most the drone is designed to handle, not a comfortable working wind.
Can the HoverAir X1 fly in cold weather?
HoverAir rates the X1 down to 0 °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 0 °C as outside your limits. A 0 °C lower limit is common for this class: below freezing, keep flights short and batteries warm until takeoff.
Is the HoverAir X1 waterproof?
HoverAir doesn’t state a water rating for it, so treat rain and wet fog as outside your limits.