Driving a drone
If you consider buying a recreational drone to try to fly during your vacation, to take pictures / video or just for fun, keep in mind that these small devices at the cutting edge of technology are not mere toys.
Indeed, before starting to pilot multirotors, it is imperative to be aware of certain rules, both to avoid accidents that fines, or any other bad surprise.
Here are some tips before learning how to fly a drone and how you can steer and master it without the slightest danger:
In France, airspace is particularly regulated for security reasons. Any user of drones, whether amateur or professional, must be aware of the regulations in force .
These rules can range from simple safety and privacy statements to flight restrictions.
Here is a small summary of the most important rules to know:
Do not get involved in buying expensive gear that you risk crashing the first weekend. Instead, choose a small drone that can withstand shocks.
"These cheap drones will allow you to acquire the good driving reflexes that will allow you, if you wish, to then go on a quadrotor large format at the cutting edge of technology."
That said, it is not because they are small that they will be easy to maneuver, quite the opposite!
Certainly, taking off and hovering is not difficult, but maneuvers may become more complex during turns or more elaborate movements (barrels, loops ...).
If it is easier to pilot a recreational drone than a professional multirotor, some basic notions are essential before starting the device:
If you have already purchased a high-end drone, and you are afraid of crashing, you can still train with flight simulators or pass the theoretical patent of pilot of a motorized ultra-light device ( ULM) .
"Avoid starting to fly directly into manual mode, a mode reserved for more experienced pilots."
In addition, some drones incorporate the option of automatic shutdown of propellers in case of shock / contact.
These blades, which can rotate at 10,000 rpm, can be very dangerous at take-off and landing if the automatic mode is deactivated.
If the device does not have a stop system, you can still get hulls to protect the propellers, the latter will cost you only ten euros and you will avoid fooling your fingers.
Training is, as in any learning phase, the basis of driving.
When you think you know how to fly or have enough capacity in flight, nothing is really acquired in life. You will need to maintain your abilities and reflexes through regular training.
At first, your objective will be to take off and land on a fixed point and this by changing the orientation of the drone in relation to your positioning: train you to maneuver the drone by following these steps then redo this exercise by positioning the facing you, then to the right and to the left.
This will allow you to acquire good reflexes and will improve your vision in space!
Indeed, before starting to pilot multirotors, it is imperative to be aware of certain rules, both to avoid accidents that fines, or any other bad surprise.
Here are some tips before learning how to fly a drone and how you can steer and master it without the slightest danger:
Know the rules
In France, airspace is particularly regulated for security reasons. Any user of drones, whether amateur or professional, must be aware of the regulations in force .
These rules can range from simple safety and privacy statements to flight restrictions.
Here is a small summary of the most important rules to know:
- It is forbidden to fly a drone in urban areas such as parks, streets, stadiums, beaches or areas near aerodromes or military bases. You can use the app aip-drones.fr to find out which areas in your area are forbidden;
- No night flight! You have the right to fly up to 30 minutes after sunset.
- Observe a maximum height of 150 meters ;
- Never film people without their knowledge ;
- Do not fly the device from a moving vehicle ;
- Never lose sight of your drone during flights (Except flights in FPV, here a second person will have to keep the drone at sight and can control it via a second radio control if you use a helmet or glasses). The pilot is not allowed to use accessories such as binoculars to keep a direct view of the device.
Choose a suitable drone so for beginners
Do not get involved in buying expensive gear that you risk crashing the first weekend. Instead, choose a small drone that can withstand shocks.
"These cheap drones will allow you to acquire the good driving reflexes that will allow you, if you wish, to then go on a quadrotor large format at the cutting edge of technology."
That said, it is not because they are small that they will be easy to maneuver, quite the opposite!
To train before flying
Do not be fooled by the beautiful marketing slogans of the style: "our drone does not require any notion of piloting" or "totally assisted piloting".Certainly, taking off and hovering is not difficult, but maneuvers may become more complex during turns or more elaborate movements (barrels, loops ...).
If it is easier to pilot a recreational drone than a professional multirotor, some basic notions are essential before starting the device:
How to start with a drone
- Carefully read the user manual and discard all the information that may guide you when starting the engines;
- To practice, choose an area clear of all obstacles, and especially a place with no or little human presence. The ideal would be to train very early in the morning at a low hour. Note that it is forbidden to fly his drone at night;
- Start with simple maneuvers: whether via your smartphone, tablet or radio control, driving must remain basic (up, down, left, right, small eight, circles, etc.). Some Youtube channels offer tutorials that will allow you to learn to drive and thus to improve gradually;
- Constantly check the battery level indicated on the control screen or the drone to anticipate its stop. Do not wait until the last minute to return the drone to its starting point;
- Know the weather conditions before flying, especially winds to anticipate any changes.
If you have already purchased a high-end drone, and you are afraid of crashing, you can still train with flight simulators or pass the theoretical patent of pilot of a motorized ultra-light device ( ULM) .
Always fly in automatic mode
"Avoid starting to fly directly into manual mode, a mode reserved for more experienced pilots."
In addition, some drones incorporate the option of automatic shutdown of propellers in case of shock / contact.
These blades, which can rotate at 10,000 rpm, can be very dangerous at take-off and landing if the automatic mode is deactivated.
If the device does not have a stop system, you can still get hulls to protect the propellers, the latter will cost you only ten euros and you will avoid fooling your fingers.
Preparation before driving
Preparing for the flight is an important step before taking to maneuver the craft:- First of all, and before turning on your remote control, it is important to make sure your phone or tablet has enough battery to maneuver the device for the entire flight time. Also check if the battery of your multi-rotor is well charged .
- Then check that your phone or tablet has enough memory to manage the application dedicated to driving and / or record videos if necessary. Indeed, some applications solicit more RAM than others depending on the technology embedded in the drone.
- Depending on the brand of your drone, it is sometimes possible to choose between two control modes that determine the order of remote control joysticks : "mode 1" have the throttle on the right and the joystick on the left, and "Mode 2", which is the default mode (the most common) and the reverse of the first mode.
- You can also enter the "beginner" mode if your device allows it . This mode is programmed to offer more safety to the drone and assist pilots.
Learn to fly
Training is, as in any learning phase, the basis of driving.
When you think you know how to fly or have enough capacity in flight, nothing is really acquired in life. You will need to maintain your abilities and reflexes through regular training.
Have a plan of attack!
At first, your objective will be to take off and land on a fixed point and this by changing the orientation of the drone in relation to your positioning: train you to maneuver the drone by following these steps then redo this exercise by positioning the facing you, then to the right and to the left.
This will allow you to acquire good reflexes and will improve your vision in space!
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