CHAPTER 3

Get Behind the Controls

Once you have a drone, it’s time for the most exciting part—getting behind the controls! Children as young as 7 can learn to fly a simple drone.

The handheld controller is the pilot’s connection to the drone. Just like a video game controller, most recreational drone controllers have two joysticks. These are used to control the pitch, yaw, throttle, and roll of the drone. The throttle determines how fast the drone travels. Once it is airborne, the pilot must maintain the drone’s height in the air while controlling the other elements.

Many drones have a screen on the controller. This lets pilots see the view from the drone’s camera.

One of the most important maneuvers for a pilot to master is the roll. Many drone crashes happen when a pilot flies the drone into an object such as a building or tree. A roll can redirect the drone and avoid a crash.

KNOW THE RULES

Before you fly, there are some rules to know. The FAA sets drone rules in the United States. Drones more than 0.55 pound (250 g) and less than 55 pounds (25 kg) flown outdoors need to be registered. The person registering must be at least 13 years old.

Some pilots have reported drones flying within 100 feet (30 meters) of their planes. This close distance can lead to a collision.

Drone pilots also must follow the FAA’s in-flight rules. Pilots can fly no higher than 400 feet (122 m) in the air. They cannot interfere with manned aircraft. Pilots must keep drones beyond 5 miles (8 km) of an airport unless they have permission. Pilots cannot fly over air shows or major sporting events without permission. They must keep drones within sight at all times. This is known as maintaining a visual line of sight.

KEEPING OTHERS SAFE

By following rules, you help protect others. A recreational drone can weigh as much as 55 pounds (25 kg). That’s enough to cause a commercial airliner to crash under the right conditions if the two aircraft collide. In 2014 U.S. pilots reported more than 230 sightings of recreational drones. In 2015 that number jumped to almost 600 sightings in a six-month period.