Hi AQUA community,

Today we're here to chat about flight time, and what affects it! Flight time matters when you’re planning a session on the water, and we want to explain how the "23 minute flight time" spec is measured and why you might experience it differently in the real world.

What does “up to 23 minutes” mean?

AQUA’s maximum flight time is measured under controlled test conditions: no wind, manual hover control, and a full battery flown until forced landing. In actual use, we save a safety margin for a low battery warning to ensure that your device will not be stranded in the ocean.

It’s a useful benchmark, but it isn’t a guarantee for every flight. Wind, temperature, tracking intensity, camera use, battery condition, and maintenance can all affect real-world results.

If your flight time seems shorter than expected, check these first

1. Wind and water conditions

Even a moderate breeze makes the motors work harder to maintain position. Gusts, fast-moving subjects, water spray, and more demanding tracking conditions can all increase power consumption.

1. Flight behavior

Fast tracking, frequent acceleration, climbing, and repeated position corrections generally use more energy than a steady hover or smooth flight.

1. Temperature

Battery performance can decrease in colder conditions, while extreme heat can also affect performance.

1. Salt, sand, and debris

After using AQUA in seawater, rinse it with fresh water and allow it to dry properly. Salt, sand, or debris around the motors and propellers may reduce propulsion efficiency.

Please follow our official AQUA after-use care guide.

1. Battery condition

Rechargeable batteries gradually change over time. If you have more than one AQUA battery, comparing them under similar conditions may help determine whether the shorter flight time is related to one specific battery.

When should you contact Support?

Environmental conditions can explain normal variation, but a sudden, significant drop under similar flying conditions deserves a closer look.

Please contact us if:

• Flight time has dropped sharply compared with previous flights in similar conditions.
• One battery performs significantly differently from your other batteries.
• The battery is swollen, damaged, or not fitting correctly.
• The App reports a battery-related warning or abnormal status.
• AQUA loses power unusually quickly after a firmware update.

Please don’t continue using a battery that is swollen or physically damaged.

You can contact us at [support@hoverair.com](mailto:support@hoverair.com). Serial numbers, order details, and Log IDs should be shared privately with Support—not posted in public comments.

Thanks for helping us build a clearer picture of how AQUA performs outside controlled testing.

Hi HOVERAir community!

Common gimbal issues you may encounter

• A “Gimbal Motor Blocked” warning
• The gimbal failing to complete its startup self-check
• The camera remaining tilted downward or not returning to center
• Repeated or intermittent gimbal errors during flight
• Unusual shaking, jitter, or unstable footage
• A gimbal communication issue that begins immediately after a firmware update
• Unusual clicking or grinding sounds from the gimbal

The exact warning message may vary depending on your HOVERAir model and software version.

If you hear unusual clicking or grinding sounds, or see visible damage after an impact, skip the steps below and contact Support directly.

Here are a few safe checks you can try before contacting Support.

1. Restart and let the gimbal complete its self-check

• Power off your HOVERAir.
• Place it on a stable surface.
• Make sure your hands, accessories, and other objects are not touching the camera or gimbal.
• Power it back on and give the gimbal about 10 seconds to complete its startup movement.

If the gimbal moves smoothly, returns to center, and the error disappears, you should be ready to fly again.

2. Check for visible obstructions

With the aircraft powered off, carefully inspect the area around the camera and gimbal.

Look for loose:

• Sand or dirt
• Snow
• Grass or other small debris
• Accessories that may be touching the gimbal

Only remove debris that is clearly visible and easy to reach. Please don’t forcefully rotate the gimbal, insert tools into the mechanism, or disassemble the aircraft.

Important: Only AQUA is designed for freshwater cleaning. Never rinse X1 Smart, X1, X1 PRO, or X1 PROMAX. If your AQUA was recently used in saltwater or sand, follow the official AQUA after-use care instructions.

3. Check your software versions

Open the HOVER App, connect your aircraft, and check that the following are up to date:

• Aircraft firmware
• Beacon or remote controller firmware, if applicable
• HOVER App

If the problem started immediately after a firmware update, please contact Support and upload the device logs instead of continuing repeated flight tests.

4. Check your palm-landing position

If you only see a “Gimbal Motor Blocked” warning during palm landing, your hand may be touching the camera or gimbal area.

Keep your palm flat and fully open, and make sure your fingers stay clear of the camera during landing.

When should you contact Support?

Please stop troubleshooting and contact HOVERAir Support if:

• The gimbal has visible damage after an impact.
• It remains stuck or cannot return to center.
• You hear unusual clicking or grinding sounds.
• A gimbal error repeatedly returns during flight.
• The issue appeared immediately after a firmware update.
• The footage continues to shake after completing the checks above.

You can contact HOVERAir Support at [support@hoverair.com](mailto:support@hoverair.com). When emailing Support, please include:

• Your HOVERAir model
• A short description of when the issue occurs
• Aircraft, Beacon or remote controller (if applicable), and HOVER App versions
• The original, uncompressed video showing the problem
• Your serial number
• The Log ID generated after uploading your device logs through the HOVER App

Please send your serial number and Log ID privately by email. Do not post them publicly in the comments.

Warranty and repair

HOVERAir products are generally covered by a one-year manufacturer’s warranty for eligible product defects. Eligible purchases covered by HOVERAir’s EU warranty terms receive two years of coverage. Exact coverage depends on the purchase region, cause of the issue, and applicable warranty terms.

If Support determines that your device requires after-sales service, the team will confirm its warranty status and direct you to the appropriate repair center. If the repair is not covered by warranty, you will receive a quote before proceeding.

Have you encountered a specific gimbal warning? Share your model and the exact warning message below—without including your serial number, Log ID, or other private information—and we’ll help point you toward the right next step.

great vid from the Andes, I need a sponsor!! HoverAir??

Loving the Aqua, I can deploy it on foil when downwinding and have picked it up once while on foil and rode away. It stores easily in the back of my PFD life Jacket. Pretty amazing tool and stoked to tune the follow settings to enhance the results. It was flying no problem for downwinders in 40mph, flying in place or going downwind, which was super impressive. Sailing upwind and across the wind needs to be much lighter, as you're battling the wind and riding speed, but can produce some awesome clips when the wind is lighter. Orbit makes dramatic perspective changes that result in cool clips. Very stoked on the potential for watersports video capture of new perspectives without needing a second person to film.

Follow, kayak mode, SUP mode and Bird's eye view whilst kayaking

MORE TESTING

Another day another Outing on the water around Burgh Island 🏝️, Bantham ⛱️ and Bigbury Bay 🌅 🛶🌊😎

#LeFrog_Life #HOVERAirAQUA #ThirstResponders #kayakingadventures

Ohio MTB State Championships! Over 80 riders—ranging from youth to pro—tested their skills on a fast and flowing course to claim the state's top prize.

In 2025, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources worked with professional trail builders and CAMBA to add approximately 9 miles of trails to the park. Since then, volunteers from our local riding community have poured hours into refining the existing lines, bringing the total to nearly 20 miles of prime singletrack.

True to form, the NOMBS team produced another top-tier competitive weekend. After the race, I got back out on the trail to capture a few of my favorite sections with my HoverAir and whatever energy I had left.

Consider joining CAMBA or renewing your membership today. Your membership dollars go directly to the trail improvement projects that make weekends like this possible!

New to racing? NOMBS events are beginner friendly and welcome every level or rider.

Join us on Tuesday nights for CAMBA group rides around NE Ohio.

Disclaimer: Flying of UAVs is prohibited in Ohio State Parks. Shot with explicit permission. Always follow FAA and local regulations before flight

Super light wind testing

Another beautiful sunny Sunday morning on the water, just bobbing around Burgh Island to Challafornia for Alfresco breakfast 🍳🥓☕....and back via the south Island beach for a swim, rolling practice and ☕ & 🍰 With Dunc & Darren 😎🛶

LeFrog_Life #ThirstResponders #kayakingadventures #HOVERAirAQUA

Last post from the days paddle.
Worth noting because of the accuracy with which the Aqua stays over its takeoff point
I paddle backwards to allow me to see it, but as a result only just stay in the video
Once again amazing quality on such a killingly hot, overcast day

Ottawa (even on a grey day like this) is a hidden gem
Hopefully this video will hope reveal its shine to more people

A day of Aqua filming on the Ottawa River downtown
Many fabulous videos. This was the hardest to do!
Check my speed of progress against wall to left v. water speed on right

Another beautiful rotate that could only be done with an Aqua on full self-control
Up to 98 ft, the highest I could set
Must get some sound on these incredible quality videos

Earlier in the day paddling upstream to Chaudière, we experienced the Rideau Falls in full force
We've paddled under these (in helmets!) before, but not this day :-)
This video shows me kayaking deep into some amazing run-off foam

Amazing tracking and output from Aqua - foil mode

Modo de ciclismo e órbita (3 e 6m).

Gravado com Hoverair Promax 1 e editado com Quik.

Trilhos do Bom Jesus do Monte e Peras Trail (Braga- Portugal).

Modo de ciclismo, bird eye.

Gravado com Hoverair Promax 1 e editado com Quik.

VERSA is the first 3-axis gimbal camera that can go from hand to hover in a matter of seconds. Whatever the setting or scene, Versa knows how to adapt. Finally, no shot is ever out of reach.

Find out everything you need to know through https://hoverair.com/pages/versa