I've been practicing 45-degree ascent and descent maneuvers for video capture but struggling with consistent performance in windy conditions. My DJI Mini 3 Pro handles light winds well, but when gusts hit 15-20 mph, the motors work overtime to maintain position, significantly reducing stability during flight. I'm finding the battery takes a bigger hit as the drone's motors push harder to stay stable, with flight time shrinking noticeably on windy days. What's the optimal throttle management technique for maintaining forward momentum while preserving battery life? Should I be adjusting my flight path altitude or stick to lower altitudes where wind speeds generally increase with altitude, so air closer to the ground tends to be calmer?

Lower altitude is definitely your friend here. Face the drone directly into the wind during takeoff and landing, or tilt it slightly forward during flight to reduce lateral drift. I've found that maintaining around 50-60% throttle in headwinds gives you enough reserve power without draining the battery excessively.

Are you monitoring your battery percentage closely? Always land with at least 35% battery left on a windy day. Also consider switching to Sport mode for better control authority, but remember it drains battery faster.

The key is avoiding sudden, jerky movements to help the drone's stabilization systems cope more effectively with wind forces. Smooth, deliberate inputs are everything in gusty conditions. Practice your wind flying with cheaper props first!