How do you determine the maximum flying range of your UAS?

The maximum flying range of a UAS is primarily determined based on the manufacturer's specifications for range and battery life. Manufacturers usually provide detailed information about their devices, including maximum flight distance under optimal conditions, which serves as a reliable baseline for understanding what the UAS can achieve. These specifications take into account various factors such as battery capacity, aircraft design, and the efficiency of the propulsion system, providing users with an accurate expectation of performance.

While conducting manual tests or using GPS coordinates can provide insight into a drone's capability in real-world scenarios, these methods are subject to numerous variables like environmental conditions, pilot skill, and unexpected incidents that may alter the results. Estimating based on previous flight experiences can also introduce bias or misinterpretation of capabilities since each flight situation can differ significantly. Therefore, relying on manufacturer specifications is the most straightforward and dependable way to ascertain the reliable maximum flying range of a UAS.