RTH on Drones: Return to Home as a Key Part of Pre-Flight Preparation
Introduction: why RTH matters
RTH – Return to Home is one of the most important safety features in modern drones. For pilots in Prague, Central Bohemia, Moravia, and Slovakia, it provides confidence that the drone will return to a predefined location if the signal is lost, the battery becomes low, or the pilot triggers it manually. For professionals working with aerial photo and video, RTH is an essential workflow element – it protects expensive gear, increases reliability in commercial projects, and reduces the risk of accidents. The same applies to inspection drones operating near industrial facilities, power lines, or construction sites.
How RTH works
- GPS fixation: when taking off, the drone stores GPS coordinates of its takeoff location (home point).
- RTH activation: triggered manually (controller button) or automatically (lost signal, low battery).
- Flight trajectory: the drone climbs to a preset altitude to avoid obstacles, then flies back directly to home point.
- Landing: after returning, the drone auto-lands or waits for pilot input.
GPS & satellites – the foundation of a reliable return
Correct RTH function depends on a stable GPS signal.
- Satellite count: minimum safe fix = 8–12 satellites. Three satellites are not enough.
- Signal stabilization: always wait until GPS fix is stable and home point is confirmed.
- Location factors: in Prague signal may be disrupted by buildings; in Central Bohemia or Moravia the environment is more open. In Slovak mountains, terrain obstacles must be considered.
Behavior options when signal is lost
Modern drones (DJI and similar) allow configuration of the drone’s behavior when connection is lost or the battery is critically low:
- Return to Home (RTH): climbs to set altitude → returns to home point.
- Immediate landing: useful when landing safely is possible (e.g., open field in Central Bohemia).
- Hover: best when flying above water or under an obstacle.
If classic RTH activates, the drone may hit an obstacle while ascending.
If auto-landing engages, it may descend into water.
With hover mode, the pilot can approach, reconnect signal, and save the drone.
Advanced RTH settings: obstacle handling
DJI and other modern systems allow defining drone behavior when encountering an obstacle during RTH:
- Stop at obstacle: the drone halts and waits. Useful in dense Prague architecture or industrial areas in Moravia.
- Obstacle bypass: the drone tries to fly around it. Practical for aerial filming in open landscapes — vineyards in Pálava or Slovak mountain regions.
This dramatically increases safety — both for creative cinematography and technical inspections.
Pre-flight RTH checklist
- Home point: verify correct GPS position is saved.
- RTH altitude: set 30–50 m or more to avoid trees, buildings, power lines.
- Batteries: ensure sufficient charge — low percentage may trigger RTH sooner than expected.
- Test RTH: perform test flights in a safe area (e.g., a field in Central Bohemia).
Practical RTH field tips
- Prague: fly near Vltava or viewpoints → set higher RTH altitude due to bridges and buildings.
- Central Bohemia: forests in Posázaví or Křivoklátsko require increased altitude.
- Moravia: vineyards in Pálava or Brno infrastructure → watch for lamps and wires.
- Slovakia: mountains (Tatras, Liptov) → higher altitude needed due to terrain.
- Czech Republic generally: castles, chateaux, industry zones = individual altitude setup.
RTH for commercial drone projects
For professional creators shooting cinema drone photo & video, RTH is critical:
- Marketing: night panoramas of Prague or Bratislava look premium — reliability is essential.
- Tourism: regions rely on drone footage for promotion.
- Film & music videos: night streets or vineyards add depth and atmosphere.
For inspection drones, RTH is equally important:
- Industrial zones: protects drone from losing signal among structures.
- Power lines: hover mode allows safe re-control without hitting pylons.
- Construction sites: in Prague or Brno, combine RTH with obstacle sensors.
Common RTH pilot mistakes
- Home point not set → drone returns to wrong location.
- Too low RTH altitude → collision risk.
- Ignoring battery status → no energy left for return.
- Activating RTH in tight urban space → Prague streets = hazard.
- Insufficient satellites → inaccurate return or failure.
- Incorrect obstacle behavior → drone may stop at a risky point or try unsafe bypass.
Summary
RTH (Return to Home) is a fundamental safety mechanism. Correct setup before takeoff is a critical part of pre-flight preparation. For aerial filmmakers in Prague, Central Bohemia, Moravia, and Slovakia, as well as industrial inspection operators, RTH offers reliability and asset protection on every mission.
