In this test, we took the Antigravity A1 Range Test out into an open environment to see how far it could really fly. This was a straightforward range test with a clear line of sight, no cinematic intentions, and no complex maneuvers just a simple forward flight to measure distance, signal strength, and return-to-home accuracy. The goal was to understand what kind of performance you can realistically expect from the Antigravity A1 in ideal conditions.
Test Setup and Initial Flight
With the battery at 95%, the drone was sent straight forward in sports mode, maintaining direct line of sight in an open area. This was purely a test scenario, designed to measure maximum range rather than capture polished footage. The drone was flown forward while monitoring speed, signal, satellites, and battery levels, with return-to-home enabled to later assess its accuracy.
Early Performance and Signal Stability
At around 500 meters, the drone was already flying at maximum speed, approximately 60 meters per second, or about 57 km/h. At this point, there were 32 satellites locked in, and both the goggles and RC controller showed a full signal. All key information battery percentage for the goggles, remote, and drone was clearly visible. The system estimated around 30 minutes of flight time remaining, and there were no interferences or signal issues.
Reaching 1,000 meters, the signal remained strong and stable. Since this test was conducted in an open environment, interference was minimal, making it ideal for evaluating the drone’s true range potential.
Extending the Range and Altitude Adjustment
As the drone continued forward, some signal drops appeared on the goggles and remote. This suggested that the goggles, rather than the RC controller, might be the limiting factor. By increasing the drone’s altitude to about 100 meters, the signal noticeably improved.
At distances beyond 2,000 meters, the signal stabilized again. With over 30 satellites connected, the drone continued flying smoothly, passing 2,300 meters and then 2,400 meters without interruptions.
Crossing Major Distance Milestones
Reaching 3,000 meters without any signal interruptions was particularly impressive. Raising the altitude again to 100 meters further helped maintain a strong connection. At 3,300 meters, the drone continued to perform exceptionally well, and battery consumption remained surprisingly low, with around 70% still available.
One standout feature during this test was the built-in audio recording from the goggles. This allowed the entire experience to be documented without setting up an external camera. The noise canceling microphones worked effectively, even in a loud coastal environment, making this feature especially useful for travel or documentation purposes.
Pushing the Limits
At 4,300 meters, the total round trip distance would amount to 8,600 meters. The question then became whether the drone could reach a full 10 km round trip. Unfortunately, turning the goggles caused a loss of signal, resulting in image transmission loss. This effectively marked the limit of the test.
The maximum distance achieved was 4,600 meters in one direction, which is an impressive result especially considering the drone still had about 60% battery remaining at that point.
Return-to-Home Accuracy Test
From 4,600 meters out, the return-to-home function was activated without any manual input to assess its accuracy. This test was particularly important, as the Antigravity A1 is not only the company’s first drone but also the first proper 360-degree drone of its kind. Testing whether it performed as advertised was a key objective.
In CE regions, the stated transmission range is around 6 km, while in FCC regions like the US, it can reach up to 10 km. Even so, achieving 4,600 meters with stable 360-degree video allowing full reframing, speed ramps, and creative flexibility was extremely impressive.
Flight Back and Footage Quality
As the drone returned, it passed the 2,500-meter mark with 51% battery remaining. The wait felt long, but the flight back remained stable. The footage was recorded in 8K at 30 fps with full auto settings, with the drone managing exposure and camera controls automatically.
Although the weather conditions were far from ideal rainy, gray, and dull the 8K footage still offered a good opportunity to evaluate image quality in challenging conditions.
Landing and Final Observations
At around 700 meters out, the drone descended to an altitude of 80 meters. The return-to-home accuracy was tested closely, as the drone originally took off from a backpack. The drone returned almost exactly to that spot, which was impressive.
While hovering above, the noise level measured around 74 dB. It was not overly loud, but still noticeable enough to require raising one’s voice. The drone initially detected the landing area as unsafe, so the automatic landing was canceled and a manual hand landing was performed instead.
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Article Summary
Overall, the Antigravity A1 achieved a straight line distance of 4,600 meters with excellent signal stability, strong battery performance, and highly accurate return-to-home functionality. In an open environment with no interference, this performance is more than commendable. This test was purely to establish baseline expectations. A future range test is planned in a more challenging environment with Wi-Fi, radio towers, and other interferences to see how the drone performs under real world conditions. For now, the results are very encouraging.
Read More: Antigravity A1 Review
