How to Get Started with Drones: A Beginner’s Guide

Drones are very popular with the public and are one of the most innovative technological products of the 21st century. They are flying robots that can perform various tasks, such as taking aerial photos and videos, delivering packages, inspecting infrastructure, and even racing. Drones have many applications in different industries, such as agriculture, construction, media, entertainment, security, and more.

But how do you get started with drones? What do you need to know before you buy and fly your first drone? In this article, we will answer these questions and provide you with some useful tips and resources to help you learn more about drones and how to use them safely and responsibly.

What is a Drone?

A drone, also known as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), unmanned aircraft system (UAS), or remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS), is a device that can fly without a human pilot on board. It is controlled either by a remote controller, a smartphone app, or an autonomous system that uses sensors and algorithms to navigate.

“Drones are not toys, they are tools.”

Brendan Schulman, a drone lawyer and advocate.

There are many types and sizes of drones, ranging from small toy drones that fit in your palm to large military drones that can carry weapons and surveillance equipment. Some of the most popular types of drones for consumers and hobbyists are:

Quadcopters

These are drones that have four rotors, one at each corner of a square or rectangular frame. They are easy to fly and maneuver, and can hover and perform acrobatic moves. They are also the most common type of drones for photography and videography, as they can carry cameras and gimbals that stabilize the image. Some examples of quadcopters are DJI Mavic Air 2¹, Parrot Anafi Ai², and Autel Evo Nano Plus³.

Racing drones

These are drones that are designed for speed and agility, and are used for competitive drone racing. They are usually smaller and lighter than quadcopters, and have more powerful motors and propellers. They also have a first-person view (FPV) system that allows the pilot to see what the drone sees through a headset or goggles. Some examples of racing drones are DJI Avata FPV⁴, EMAX Hawk Sport⁵, and iFlight Nazgul5⁶.

Fixed-wing drones

These are drones that have wings like an airplane, and can fly faster and farther than quadcopters and racing drones. They are more suitable for long-range and endurance missions, such as mapping, surveying, and monitoring. They also have a higher payload capacity, meaning they can carry more weight. However, they are harder to fly and land, and usually require a runway or a catapult to take off. Some examples of fixed-wing drones are Parrot Disco⁷, SenseFly eBee X⁸, and WingtraOne⁹.

What Do You Need to Fly a Drone?

Before you fly a drone, you need to have the following things:

A drone

Obviously, you need a drone to fly. You can choose from a variety of models and brands, depending on your budget, preference, and purpose. You can also build your own drone from scratch or from a kit, if you are interested in learning more about the technical aspects of drones. However, this requires more time, skill, and money than buying a ready-to-fly drone.

A controller

You need a controller to control your drone. Most drones come with a dedicated controller that has joysticks, buttons, and switches to adjust the speed, direction, altitude, and mode of the drone. Some drones can also be controlled by a smartphone app, either via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. However, a dedicated controller usually offers more range, reliability, and functionality than a smartphone app.

A battery

You need a battery to power your drone. Most drones use rechargeable lithium-polymer (LiPo) batteries, which have high energy density and discharge rate. However, LiPo batteries also have some drawbacks, such as short lifespan, sensitivity to temperature and overcharging, and risk of fire and explosion. Therefore, you need to handle and store them carefully, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety guidelines.

A charger

You need a charger to charge your battery. Most drones come with a charger that plugs into a wall outlet or a USB port. However, some drones may require a special charger that has a balance function, which ensures that each cell of the battery is charged equally and safely. You may also need an adapter or a converter if you travel to a different country with a different voltage or plug type.

A camera

You may need a camera if you want to take photos and videos with your drone. Some drones have a built-in camera, while others have a mount or a gimbal that can hold a camera. You can use different types of cameras, such as action cameras, DSLR cameras, or 360-degree cameras, depending on the quality and angle you want. You may also need a memory card to store your photos and videos.

A FPV system

You may need a FPV system if you want to see what your drone sees in real time. A FPV system consists of a camera, a transmitter, a receiver, and a display. The camera captures the video from the drone, the transmitter sends the video signal to the receiver, the receiver receives the video signal, and the display shows the video on a screen, a headset, or goggles. A FPV system can enhance your flying experience and performance, especially for racing drones.

A registration

You may need to register your drone with the authorities, depending on where you live and fly. For example, in the United States, you need to register your drone with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) if it weighs more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and less than 55 pounds (25 kilograms). You can register your drone online at the FAA Drone Zone website¹⁰, and pay a $5 fee for a three-year registration. You will receive a registration number that you need to mark on your drone.

You also need to follow the FAA rules and regulations for recreational or commercial drone operations, such as flying below 400 feet (120 meters), keeping the drone in sight, and avoiding airports and other restricted areas. You can check the FAA website¹¹ or the B4UFLY app¹²You can check for more information and guidance. Similarly, other countries may have their own rules and requirements for drone registration and operation, so you need to do your research and comply with the local laws before you fly your drone. You can check  the Drone Laws website¹³ or the UAV Coach website¹⁴ for a summary of drone laws by country.

How to Fly a Drone?

Flying a drone can be fun and rewarding, but it can also be challenging and risky. You need to learn the basics of drone flight, practice your skills, and follow some tips and best practices to fly your drone safely and responsibly. Here are some steps to help you fly a drone:

Step 1: Choose a suitable drone and location

Before you fly your drone, you need to choose a drone that matches your skill level and purpose. For beginners, it is recommended to start with a small, simple, and cheap drone that has basic features and functions, such as headless mode, altitude hold, and one-key return. You also need to choose a location that is safe, legal, and suitable for flying. You should avoid flying near people, animals, buildings, vehicles, power lines, trees, and other obstacles. You should also check the weather, wind, and visibility conditions, and make sure they are favorable for flying. You can use apps like UAV Forecast¹⁵ or Kittyhawk¹⁶ to check the weather and airspace information for your location.

Step 2: Prepare your drone and equipment

Before you fly your drone, you need to prepare your drone and equipment. You need to charge your battery, controller, and other devices, and insert the memory card if you have one. You need to attach the propellers, landing gear, camera, and other accessories to your drone, and make sure they are secure and aligned. You need to turn on your drone and controller, and pair them together. You need to calibrate your drone’s compass, gyroscope, and GPS, and check the drone’s status and settings on the controller or app. You need to do a pre-flight checklist, and make sure everything is working properly and ready to fly.

Step 3: Take off and hover

To take off your drone, you need to place it on a flat and clear surface, facing away from you. You need to push the throttle stick (usually the left stick) up slowly, until the drone lifts off the ground. You need to adjust the throttle stick to keep the drone at a stable height, usually a few feet above the ground. You need to use the trim buttons to balance the drone, if it drifts to one side or another. You need to practice hovering your drone, and keeping it steady and centered. You can use the landing button or the throttle stick to land your drone, when you are done hovering.

Step 4: Move and turn

To move your drone, you need to use the directional stick (usually the right stick) to tilt the drone forward, backward, left, or right. You need to push the stick gently, and release it when you want to stop moving. You need to use the yaw stick (usually the left stick) to rotate the drone clockwise or counterclockwise. You need to push the stick slightly, and release it.

Step 5: Fly in different modes and patterns

To fly your drone in different modes and patterns, you need to use the mode switch or the app to change the flight mode of your drone. Some common flight modes in drone engines include:

Manual mode

This is the most basic and challenging mode, where you have full control over the drone’s movements and speed. You need to constantly adjust the throttle, directional, and yaw sticks to keep the drone stable and flying. This mode is suitable for advanced pilots who want to practice their skills and perform tricks and stunts.

Stabilized mode

This is the most common and easy mode, where the drone automatically maintains its altitude and orientation. You only need to use the directional and yaw sticks to move and turn the drone. This mode is suitable for beginners and intermediate pilots who want to fly smoothly and safely.

GPS mode

This is the most advanced and smart mode, where the drone uses the GPS signal to lock its position and altitude. You can use the directional and yaw sticks to move and turn the drone, but the drone will return to its original position and altitude when you release the sticks. This mode is suitable for photography and videography, as it allows the drone to hover and fly steadily and precisely.

Sport mode

This is a special mode that increases the speed and agility of the drone. You can use the directional and yaw sticks to move and turn the drone faster and sharper. This mode is suitable for racing and fun, as it allows the drone to fly more dynamically and thrillingly.

You can also use the app or the controller to activate some of the advanced features and functions of your drone, such as:

Follow me

This feature allows the drone to follow you or another object automatically, using the GPS signal or the camera recognition. You can adjust the distance, height, and angle of the drone, and the drone will keep you or the object in the frame.

Orbit

This feature allows the drone to circle around you or another object automatically, using the GPS signal or the camera recognition. You can adjust the radius, speed, and direction of the drone, and the drone will create a circular motion around you or the object.

Waypoints

This feature allows the drone to fly along a predefined route automatically, using the GPS signal or the map. You can set the waypoints, altitude, speed, and direction of the drone, and the drone will follow the route and fly autonomously.

Return to home

This feature allows the drone to fly back to its takeoff point automatically, using the GPS signal or the compass. You can activate this feature manually or automatically, when the battery is low or the signal is lost. The drone will fly to a safe height, and then fly straight to its home point and land.

Step 6: Practice and improve

To practice and improve your drone flying skills, you need to fly your drone regularly and consistently, and challenge yourself with different scenarios and exercises. You can use some of the online resources and courses to learn more about drones and how to fly them, such as:

Drone Pilot Ground School

This is an online course that prepares you for the FAA Part 107 exam, which is required for commercial drone operations in the United States. The course covers topics such as airspace, weather, regulations, safety, and more. The course also provides practice tests, cheat sheets, and a money-back guarantee.

Udemy Drone Courses

This is a platform that offers various online courses on drones, such as drone photography, drone videography, drone programming, drone building, and more. The courses are taught by experts and instructors, and include video lectures, quizzes, assignments, and certificates.

YouTube Drone Channels

This is a source of free and unlimited videos on drones, such as drone reviews, drone tutorials, drone tips, drone tricks, and more. Some of the popular and helpful drone channels are Drone Film Guide, Flite Test, Rotor Riot, and Drone Camps RC.

Conclusion

Drones are amazing and versatile devices that can provide you with endless fun and opportunities. However, drones are also complex and responsible machines that require knowledge, skill, and care. To get started with drones, you need to have the right drone and equipment, register your drone with the authorities, and learn how to fly your drone safely and responsibly. You also need to practice and improve your drone flying skills and explore the different modes and features of your drone. As Brendan Schulman, a drone lawyer and advocate, said, “Drones are not toys, they are tools.” Drones are not only a hobby but also a passion and a profession. Drones are not only a gadget, but also a gateway to a new and exciting world.*