Return to Home (RTH)
Also known as: RTH, auto return, failsafe return
A drone safety feature that flies the aircraft back to its recorded takeoff point automatically when signal is lost, battery runs low or the pilot asks for it.
Updated
What it means
When a drone takes off with a good GPS signal, it records a home point. Return to Home brings it back there automatically. It triggers in three common situations: the pilot presses the RTH button, the control signal is lost for a set time, or the battery drops to a level the drone calculates as necessary to get home.
Most consumer drones climb to a set RTH altitude, fly back in a straight line, and descend to land. Newer models use obstacle avoidance and the recorded flight path to avoid hazards on the way.
It is one of the most important safety systems on a modern drone, and also one of the most misunderstood.
How it works in practice
Before every flight, wait for the app to confirm that the home point is recorded, and set the RTH altitude higher than the tallest obstacles around, such as trees, cliffs and buildings. If you move during a flight, such as on a boat, update the home point to your current position.
Know what your drone will do on signal loss. Some pilots prefer the drone to hover or land rather than return in certain environments, and most apps let you choose. Check the setting before flying over water or in narrow valleys, and respect any geofencing zones nearby.
Low-battery RTH often triggers earlier than expected in wind, because the drone needs more power to fly back against it, which shortens real flight time.
What to watch out for
A low RTH altitude in hilly or forested terrain is a classic cause of crashes, as the drone flies home in a straight line into a tree or ridge. Always set it above the tallest obstacle in the area.
A home point recorded before GPS was fully locked can be wrong by many meters. Wait for a confirmed home point before taking off.
Obstacle sensors may not work at night, in fog or in some flight modes, and they do not see thin wires. Do not rely on RTH alone. Fly within visual line of sight and keep your own eye on the drone.
How RawClip handles it
A safe flight brings your footage home. Copy the aerial clips from the drone card, upload them with your other footage, and RawClip builds one highlight with the best shots from the air and the ground.