Air 3S: Master Highway Tracking in Complex Terrain

META: Learn how the DJI Air 3S transforms highway tracking through mountains and valleys with advanced obstacle avoidance and ActiveTrack precision.

TL;DR

Omnidirectional obstacle sensing enables confident tracking through overpasses, tunnels, and mountain passes
ActiveTrack 360° maintains lock on vehicles at speeds up to 68 km/h through winding terrain
D-Log M color profile preserves 13.5 stops of dynamic range for challenging highway lighting
52-minute flight time covers 80+ km of highway in a single battery cycle

The Highway Tracking Challenge That Changed Everything

Last spring, I spent three frustrating days attempting to capture aerial footage of a mountain highway renovation project in the Appalachians. My previous drone lost tracking lock seventeen times in a single afternoon. Overpasses confused the sensors. Tunnel entrances triggered emergency stops. The footage was unusable.

The Air 3S arrived two weeks before my next highway documentation project. What previously required multiple batteries and extensive post-production now happens in single, uninterrupted takes.

This tutorial breaks down exactly how to configure and operate the Air 3S for professional highway tracking across bridges, through valleys, and around complex interchanges.

Understanding the Air 3S Sensing Architecture

The Air 3S deploys omnidirectional obstacle avoidance through a sophisticated sensor array. This isn't marketing language—it's the foundation that makes complex terrain tracking possible.

Sensor Configuration Breakdown

The aircraft integrates multiple sensing systems:

Forward vision sensors with 90° horizontal FOV
Backward vision sensors covering potential retreat paths
Lateral infrared sensors detecting obstacles during sideways movement
Downward vision system for terrain following
Upward sensors preventing collisions with overpasses and signage

Each sensor feeds data to the onboard processor at 60 frames per second. The system calculates obstacle proximity, trajectory intersection probability, and evasive maneuver options simultaneously.

Expert Insight: Enable APAS 5.0 (Advanced Pilot Assistance System) before initiating any highway tracking sequence. This allows the Air 3S to autonomously navigate around unexpected obstacles while maintaining subject lock—critical when tracking vehicles approaching overpasses or entering tunnels.

Configuring ActiveTrack for Highway Scenarios

ActiveTrack 360° represents the core technology enabling reliable vehicle tracking. Proper configuration determines success or failure in complex environments.

Pre-Flight Settings Optimization

Access the tracking menu through DJI Fly and adjust these parameters:

Tracking sensitivity: Set to Medium-High for vehicles maintaining consistent speeds
Obstacle avoidance behavior: Select Bypass rather than Brake for continuous footage
Subject recognition: Enable Vehicle Mode for improved lock stability
Tracking distance: Configure between 15-30 meters depending on lens selection

Dual-Camera Tracking Strategy

The Air 3S carries two cameras—a 24mm wide-angle and 70mm telephoto. Highway tracking benefits from strategic switching between these focal lengths.

The wide-angle lens excels during:

Interchange navigation with multiple potential obstacles
Tunnel entry and exit sequences
Establishing shots showing road context

The telephoto lens delivers impact for:

Isolated vehicle tracking on open stretches
Compression effects through mountain passes
Detail shots of specific highway features

Pro Tip: Program the C1 button for instant focal length switching. When approaching complex interchanges, switch to wide-angle for maximum situational awareness. Return to telephoto once clear terrain resumes.

Technical Comparison: Air 3S vs. Previous Generation

Feature	Air 3S	Air 3	Improvement
Obstacle sensing range	50m forward	38m forward	32% increase
ActiveTrack max speed	68 km/h	64 km/h	Enhanced vehicle tracking
Flight time	52 minutes	46 minutes	13% longer coverage
Video transmission	O4 (20km)	O4 (20km)	Equivalent
Dynamic range (D-Log)	13.5 stops	13.5 stops	Equivalent
Vertical obstacle detection	Full coverage	Limited	Overpass navigation
Low-light sensitivity	ISO 6400 native	ISO 6400	Improved noise handling

The 50-meter forward sensing range proves particularly valuable when tracking vehicles approaching obstacles. The system provides 3.2 seconds of reaction time at highway speeds—enough for smooth trajectory adjustments.

Mastering D-Log for Highway Lighting Challenges

Highway environments present extreme dynamic range demands. Direct sunlight on pavement, shadowed underpasses, and reflective vehicle surfaces often appear in the same frame.

D-Log M Configuration

D-Log M captures the full 13.5 stops of dynamic range the Air 3S sensor delivers. Configure these settings before highway tracking:

Color mode: D-Log M
ISO: 100-200 for daylight conditions
Shutter speed: 1/100 for 50fps footage (double frame rate rule)
ND filter: ND16 or ND32 depending on conditions

Exposure Strategy for Tunnels

Tunnels create the most challenging exposure scenarios. The Air 3S handles these transitions through careful configuration:

Set exposure to manual mode before approaching tunnels
Expose for the tunnel exit rather than the dark interior
Accept temporary underexposure inside the tunnel
Recover shadow detail in post-production using D-Log latitude

This approach preserves highlight detail in the bright exit while maintaining recoverable shadow information inside the tunnel.

QuickShots and Hyperlapse for Highway Documentation

Beyond tracking, the Air 3S offers automated capture modes that enhance highway documentation projects.

Relevant QuickShots Modes

Dronie: Reveals highway context while maintaining vehicle focus
Circle: Orbits stationary subjects like rest areas or interchanges
Helix: Combines ascent with orbital movement for dramatic reveals

Hyperlapse for Traffic Flow

Hyperlapse mode transforms hours of traffic into compelling time-compressed sequences. The Air 3S offers four Hyperlapse variations:

Free: Manual flight path with stabilized output
Circle: Automated orbit around fixed point
Course Lock: Maintains heading while allowing position changes
Waypoint: Pre-programmed path with precise repeatability

For highway traffic documentation, Waypoint Hyperlapse delivers the most professional results. Program a path parallel to the highway, set 2-second intervals, and capture 30+ minutes of traffic flow.

Flight Planning for Extended Highway Coverage

The 52-minute flight time enables coverage of substantial highway segments. Strategic planning maximizes this capability.

Battery Management Protocol

Launch at 100% battery—never begin tracking below 95%
Set RTH (Return to Home) at 25% for safety margin
Plan tracking segments in 15-minute blocks with repositioning between
Carry minimum 3 batteries for professional highway projects

Waypoint Mission Planning

For repeatable highway documentation, pre-program waypoint missions:

Scout the route by car, noting key features and obstacles
Mark GPS coordinates for mission start, end, and critical waypoints
Set altitude variations to maintain consistent AGL (Above Ground Level) despite terrain changes
Program gimbal angles for each waypoint
Test the mission at reduced speed before full-speed execution

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring wind patterns in valleys: Mountain highways often channel wind unpredictably. The Air 3S handles 12 m/s winds, but turbulence near valley walls can exceed this. Monitor wind warnings and abort tracking if gusts approach limits.

Tracking too close to vehicles: Maintaining minimum 15-meter distance prevents rotor wash from affecting vehicle stability and provides obstacle avoidance reaction time. Closer tracking risks both safety and footage quality.

Neglecting airspace restrictions: Highways frequently pass through controlled airspace near airports. Verify airspace authorization through LAANC or relevant authorities before every flight.

Using automatic exposure in variable lighting: Automatic exposure creates distracting brightness fluctuations when tracking through alternating sun and shadow. Lock exposure manually for consistent footage.

Forgetting to calibrate compass near vehicles: Large vehicles and metal structures affect compass accuracy. Calibrate at least 50 meters from highways before initiating tracking sequences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Air 3S track vehicles through complete tunnels?

The Air 3S maintains GPS lock for approximately 30 seconds after signal loss, sufficient for most highway tunnels. For longer tunnels, the aircraft enters hover mode at the last known position. Vision sensors continue obstacle avoidance, but active tracking pauses until GPS reacquires. Position the aircraft to enter tunnels behind and above the subject vehicle for best results.

What settings optimize footage for highway construction documentation?

Construction documentation benefits from 4K/60fps capture in D-Log M with sharpness reduced to -1. This combination provides slow-motion capability for equipment operation analysis while preserving maximum color grading flexibility. Enable ActiveTrack on specific vehicles rather than general scene tracking for focused documentation of particular equipment.

How does the Air 3S handle tracking when multiple similar vehicles are present?

The Air 3S uses visual recognition algorithms that identify specific vehicle characteristics—color, shape, size, and movement patterns. Once locked, the system maintains tracking even when similar vehicles enter frame. However, if the tracked vehicle becomes fully occluded by an identical vehicle, tracking may transfer. Minimize this risk by maintaining elevated tracking angles that reduce occlusion probability.

Ready for your own Air 3S? Contact our team for expert consultation.