I'm seeing wildly different real-world payload performance compared to manufacturer specs. My hexacopter is rated for 5kg payload but starts getting unstable around 3.5kg, especially in wind.

What's your experience with actual usable payload vs rated capacity? I'm planning sensor configurations for mapping work and need realistic numbers for:

• Multispectral camera (500g) + thermal sensor (800g) + GPS module (200g)
• Effect on flight time and stability

Rule of thumb: use 60-70% of rated payload for reliable operation. Heavy loads drain battery faster and reduce flight time significantly - your 1.5kg sensor combo should be fine but expect 25-30% shorter flights.

That's totally normal - manufacturers rate at 2:1 thrust-to-weight ratio minimum, but you need 3:1 or 4:1 for wind resistance and agility. Your hexacopter is performing as designed, just conservatively rated.

Consider upgrading to carbon fiber frame components and higher voltage battery pack if you need the full payload regularly. Reducing dead weight and switching to 6S can boost effective payload capacity without motor changes.