CHAPTER 2

Choosing a Drone

Drones that fly are also called unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). All UAVs share some features. A pilot on the ground operates a UAV using a remote control device. Some UAVs also can fly on a pre-programmed flight path. Beyond that, each UAV has its own unique features and capabilities. Buyers choose recreational drones based on their own needs and preferences.

Drones can have rotors or fixed wings. Quadcopters are one of the most common types of rotor drones. They have four rotors. Other recreational drones have six or eight rotors. The biggest difference in the number of rotors is the amount of thrust the drone can generate.

Fixed-wing drones don’t have rotors. They look like small airplanes. These drones usually have a longer battery life than rotor drones do.

Parrot’s Disco fixed-wing drone can fly about 50 miles (80 km) per hour.

Some drones are even multi-purpose. Parrot’s Hydrofoil drone can fly in the air. But it can also ride on the surface of the water. As a watercraft, it reaches a top speed of 6 miles (10 kilometers) per hour.

FACT

Axis Drones’ Aerius mini-drone is so small it fits on the tip of a finger.

DRONES FOR EVERY EXPERIENCE LEVEL

With so many choices available, buying a drone is no simple task. A beginner pilot may want an inexpensive drone that is easier to replace when it crashes. Beginners can buy a basic drone for as little as $25.

As pilots get better at flying, they can upgrade to more advanced flying machines. An experienced pilot may choose an octocopter. This type of drone has eight arms that each operate on an individual motor. Pilots can often attach large cameras to these strong drones.

DRONES FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES

Before buying, hobbyists should consider how they will use the drone. Racers need a small drone with a lot of power, such as the OFM Seeker 450 V2 quadcopter. This drone can reach a top speed of 62 miles (100 km) per hour. It is one of the fastest racing drones on the market today. Some racers have drones with carbon fiber frames. Carbon fiber is lightweight yet strong.

An octocopter flies through the air holding a large camera.

FACT

If one or two engines fail on an octocopter, the pilot can still land the drone with the remaining engines.

DRONES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

The ability to take stunning videos and photos is a main attraction for many drone enthusiasts. Drone cameras allow hobbyists to capture overhead shots of mountainous regions, forests, and other areas. Buyers interested in photography should consider the quality of a drone’s cameras. The quality of cameras on recreational drones varies. Some basic cameras have 2-megapixel resolution, while advanced cameras often have at least 10-megapixel resolution. Most drones also have high-definition (HD) video cameras.

Professional photographers often use the Phantom 3. This drone snaps 12-megapixel still photos. A wide-angle lens captures a large area to the sides. The drone also has image stabilization to reduce blurring. A control lets the pilot easily hover to take images.

The DJI Phantom 3 can stay in the air about 20 minutes before needing to be recharged.

FACT

In 2016 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) updated its rules for those who want to fly drones for business use in the United States. Pilots of drones weighing from 0.55 to 55 pounds (250 grams to 25 kilograms) must be at least 16 years old. They also need to complete training and get a certificate. These pilots also need to follow all of the FAA’s other drone rules.

CRASH CONSIDERATIONS

Drones are built to be lightweight and fast. However, these qualities also make drones vulnerable. Most popular recreational drones won’t survive a crash from hundreds of feet in the air. Weather can easily cause a drone to crash. Even a light gust of wind can send a tiny drone off course. When purchasing a drone, buyers need to consider how well the drone will stand up to crashes.

Some manufacturers sell crash kits. These kits can come with everything from replacement propellers to a new body cover for the drone. Crash kits allow many repairs to be made in the field at a minimal cost.

Crashes can easily damage fragile parts such as propellers. Replacement propellers and other parts can be helpful to have on hand.

Owners of more expensive drones may buy drone insurance. The insurance can cover some of the costs resulting from a crash.

FACT

The small Walkera QR Infra X Smart drone was the first to have a crash-avoidance system. If an object is nearby, it will automatically fly in the opposite direction.

DIY DRONES

With so many types of drones available, there is a drone that fits the needs of almost every buyer. But some people want the challenge of building their own custom drones. These drone enthusiasts either use drone kits or build drones from scratch. Basic kits have everything needed to build a drone for less than $100.

A man gets ready to fly his homemade drone in a park in Singapore.

To build a drone from scratch, all the parts must be purchased individually. Building a custom drone in this way isn’t for beginners. Like any complex machine, building a drone takes a lot of knowledge and patience. An understanding of aerodynamics is critical. The way a builder shapes a drone and positions the rotors will determine its success in flight. Knowledge of small-engine design can help hobbyists build their own engines. Experience with robotics can lead to even more features. Imagine a drone with a robotic arm that can land and grab you a snack!

Experts say the advantage to building a drone is having a better understanding of how it works. Drones can be tricky to fly, and many inexperienced operators crash their drones. Building your own drone can lead to better piloting skills.