Drones are becoming increasingly popular and for good reason! They offer a unique bird's eye perspective of the world and allow pilots to capture amazing footage they never could before.
However, flying a drone can be tricky, especially for beginner drone pilots, and there are a few drone flying tips you need to keep in mind to stay safe and have a good experience. In this article, we will go over some basic tips to fly drones safely and responsibly.
Don't fly your drone near airports or areas where aircraft are present
If you are an enthusiast of flying drones, then you already know of the various regulations and safety precautions necessary to abide by. One of the most important things to consider is keeping your drone away from designated air spaces that are unused by aircraft, such as airports or nearby airfields.
Operating your drone near these areas can have dangerous consequences, as it can potentially lead to mid-air collisions with other powered fliers and risk crashing on a runway.
Furthermore, given the recent campaigns against terrorism, authorities may confiscate and even arrest those found using a drone too close to certain sensitive areas such as military bases or industrial parks.
To avoid any unnecessary trouble and keep yourself safe, it is always recommended to double-check the flight regulations for unmanned aerial vehicles before venturing out with your drone. After all, safety should always be first when it comes to playing with consumer drones!
Keep your drone within line of sight at all times
If you're a new drone pilot just starting to get into recreational flying, it's important to understand the basics of safety to ensure you have a safe flight every time. One of the most important rules when you start flying is to keep your drone within line of sight at all times. Firstly, this prevents you from accidentally losing your drone.
Additionally, making sure you don't lose sight of your drone ensures that you always know where your craft is and can avoid potential obstacles like power lines, trees, and other aircraft, which you should not be flying near in the first place if you want to keep your drone safe, refer to rule #1!
It also allows you to visually monitor the altitude and direction, helping to prevent dangerous collisions. Keeping your drone in sight requires practice and good judgment—it's important to know the range of visibility with different weather conditions and times of day.
Don't fly your drone above 400 feet
While not all drones can climb as high as 400 feet, it's important for everyone who operates drones to remember that the FAA places a legal limit of 400 feet in the U.S. This is done for several reasons.
Firstly, at such heights, you are more likely to interfere with other aircraft or military operations that may be taking place. It's also unpredictable how easily you will lose control or the signal of your expansive drone at these altitudes, and if that happens your risk of crashing — and injuring people or damaging property — is much higher.
For example, if a drone were to start raining full-sized pieces of itself above someone’s house, it could cause serious damage.
So, as long as it’s sunny out and you’re able to keep an eye on where your drone is going, try to stick to flying below 400 feet for safety reasons and in compliance with the law. Doing so will help protect both you and others from unnecessary accidents, destruction, and potential liability issues that nobody wants to deal with!
Don't fly your drone too close to people or animals
As a drone pilot, it is essential to recognize that you must be responsible when piloting your drone. This means taking care not to fly too close to people or animals who might find the presence of the drone intrusive or even dangerous.
When controlling your drone, always keep people and animals at least 30 meters away from the device--the more distance the better. Avoid flying over crowds, above residential neighborhoods, or into wildlife sanctuaries unless you have specific permission from local authorities.
It should also go without saying that you should never use any type of weapon attached to a drone! Responsible flying practices are essential for the safe operation of your drone and will ensure that it remains an enjoyable activity for everybody involved.
Make sure the battery is fully charged before flying
When you spend time flying drones, safety should always be the number one priority. One of the keys to keeping you and your surroundings safe when using a drone is making sure that its battery has been fully charged before taking off.
If you have an older model battery that isn’t equipped with a charge monitor, manually checking the amount of remaining charge by pressing and holding the power button should suffice.
If you don’t know exactly how much flying time is left in the battery, it’s better to err on the side of caution and return home as soon as practical power levels drop below 25%. To get the most out of your drones flight time, charging right away after each session will also help boost your overall performance.
Not only will it give you peace of mind knowing that you're ready for your next session, but it will also keep your drone running at peak efficiency.
Bottom Line
As you can see, there are a few simple things to keep in mind when flying your drone. Making sure you practice these precautions will help ensure that your flights are successful and enjoyable!
Happy flying!
