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Announce to anyone close to the drone that you are about to take off.Be sure there’s a memory card in your drone if you plan to take pictures or video.Being able to see what your drone sees makes for safer flight Check that the immediate area around your drone to determine if it’s clear to take off and land.Pay attention to the weather conditions.Check that your controller and drone are properly connected.Check that your batteries are charged and have adequate power for flight.Check the rules and regulations for the area you plan to fly in.Look for signs of wear, or cracks in the propellers Check the physical condition of the drone.Click here for tips about flying in winter. Always keep an eye on your drone’s battery levels so that you have enough time to return and land. Much like the rain, wind and temperature can also affect your flight, including, how much battery time you have to work with. Not only can the rainwater affect electronic equipment, but it also can hinder visibility and transmission signals. It is a good plan to postpone your flight if it looks like rain might be on the horizon. Discover local flying rules and regulations to help you fly with peace of mind.īefore every flight, pay attention to the terrain and prepare for different weather conditions wind, rain, and temperature can significantly affect flight performance. Always be sure to check where local airports and heliports are for safety reasons, you don’t want to fly close to them. Take note of where buildings, trees, and power lines are so that you can safely fly your drone. This is done so that there are no surprises when you take off and are in the air. When you arrive at a new location, always take a minute to observe the terrain around you. Once you’ve mastered the controls and you’re ready to take to the skies, the next important step is to study your surroundings. For added safety, keep your drone in GPS mode while flying so that it hovers and maintains its position if the input to the control sticks is ceased. Just be sure to remember which side of the drone is the front, so that you can remember which way is forward and backward. The drone control layout is quite intuitive and easy to operate. It can help to learn what each button does before flying. These controls can take photos, record video, tilt or pan the camera, as well as give you access to menus. You will most likely also have several buttons that allow you to control the camera. Pushing the right joystick up, down, left, and right causes the drone to move forward, backward, left, and right, respectively. The right stick controls the drone’s heading or movement. Alternatively, pushing this joystick to the left and right rotates the drone to the left and right, respectively. Pushing the left joystick up causes the drone to fly up while pushing the joystick down causes the drone to descend. For the sake of simplicity, today we’ll talk about the modes commonly found on consumer drones like the Mavic, Phantom, and Spark. While the appearance of some controllers can differ in shape and size, the fundamental controls are the same. Many drones on the market use a standard controller layout, consisting of control sticks and buttons. These two modes provide a great opportunity for novice pilots to build their confidence before embarking on a full-fledged flight. Many of the drones in the DJI lineup offer both a simulator that connects the controller to your phone or tablet and a beginner mode that restricts the drone altitude and speed.
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Many drones offer beginner modes and simulators that allow you to get used to the controls and fly in a safe way, without putting your drone or anyone else in harm’s way. To unleash your creativity safely and responsibly, please check out the latest tips, links, and instructional videos.Įven if you have never flown a drone before, you can become a master in a short amount of time with some practice. It’s also a good idea to do some research about air traffic and drone rules in your area. Learn about the controls, settings, and discover key information about the battery performance. Today we’ll take a look at some of the important steps and elements that come with flying a drone.īefore going airborne, take a few minutes to become familiar with your drone. While this can be a little intimidating at first, with a few simple steps you can take to the skies and master your aerial platform in a safe and controlled way. Drones can be fun to fly as a hobby, or perhaps you want to create inspiring aerial photography. A limitless world with new perspectives and freedoms that come with being un-tethered by gravity, free to travel the skies any way that you chose. You’ve picked up a drone, congratulations! You have taken the first step into a fun new world.
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