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Still  trying to pick out a first drone?  Read Here!

It appears these days everyone is flying a drone of some type.  Even my kids have one each of their own, even if it is a more of a micro-quad.  They enjoy flying them through the house, and into everything!  Here are my tips to fly drones safely so you can fly another day.

Register Your Drone

If you have purchased a drone over .55 pounds, this is a requirement of the FAA.  The FAA encourages the use of the Automated Registration System. 

RTFM!

Read the freaking manual!  Its boring, I know, but it tells you all sorts of good information about all sorts of good things.  A great example is how to PROPERLY turn your drone on and off.  There is guaranteed to be a step by step process of how to safely power your drone up and into a flight-ready mode.

Learn the Controls

Everybody wants to go straight outside and start flying around.  This is not always the case.  Learn the controls and switches first.  Learn all of your orientations. Nose out. Nose in. Nose left. Nose right.  These variations will cause the drone to react differently from your perspective.

Through Preflight Checklist

You are now the proud owner of an aircraft.  You are also about to take this aforementioned aircraft into the air.  This makes you a pilot.  Being a pilot means you have to think like one.  If something is wrong on the ground, it only gets worse in the air.  Are all the screws tightened?  Blades properly installed?  Battery secured?  Flight area clear of hindrances?  Ensure you have done your ‘walk around’ and everything is exactly the way it should be.  If it is not, fix it.  Otherwise, you are putting yourself, your drone, and others at risk.

B4UFly

Get the B4UFly mobile app.  This will allow you to file a flight plan, let others know you are there, and allow you to find out if there is any active restrictions in your area.

Practice, Practice, Practice

I have discovered, when I travel and can’t bring a full-sized drone, a pocket-sized drone that can fit into a small pocket in my bag will allow me to continue honing my skills.  It is fun to set up a small obstacle course through a room.  Landing locations, above objects, below desks or chairs, can all be considered when planning out a fun flight path.

Keep Your Drone Insight

You can’t accurately fly your drone if you can’t accurately see it visually.  Do keep in mind Mr. Pilot, this is also a regulation of the FAA.  See Operating Requirements, and read the rest of all that good info while you are there.

Pay Attention

Pay attention to your surroundings.  If you are flying outdoors, or even indoors, things are constantly moving around you.  Fly with another drone operator or a spotter as necessary.

Educate Yourself With Regulations

FAA is primary, but also local regulations may come into play.  Many states, along with DC, have drone laws put into place.  Ignorance is never an excuse to not know about something.

Stay Away From People

Many state and national parks have a no drone policy.  Drones are also banned from large public gatherings. A drone mishap could lead to injury and innocent unknowing bystanders could get injured.

Be Cautious of Gusty Areas

Anything that has a large footprint has the ability to block the wind, but once you go either over or around this will change your winds.  Be mindful of changing weather patterns. If its a bad weather day, maybe you should go to lunch instead to see if it passes over.

Create a Flight Plan

Plan your flight path along with your shots and videos you would like to accomplish.  Also, it is a great idea to walk your path of intended flight as you might not see a hazard from a distance.  Do not attempt something that would surpass your experience or skill level.

Keep Spares on Hand

Nothing can ruin a beautiful day quicker than a mechanical that could keep your drone grounded.  Keep spare blades, batteries, and some basic tools so you can quickly return your drone back to its full flight status.

Keep Things Simple

Do not try to force yourself into learning faster.  Take things easy.  Do not disable systems put into place to help you out and make flying easier.  This could lead to not having the extra stability you might need

Bonus Tip!

If your going to crash, and you will, kill the throttle!  Keeping the power up when you strike an object will definitely damage the props.  You have much greater of a chance of little to no damage with this method.  When your drone gets away from you and you are unable to get things back under control, kill the power and allow it to come crashing down.  Its a gentler crash that you powering into an object.

I hope this was able to give you a few thoughts about safety before you jump into a very fun and rewarding hobby.  If you feel I missed something that needs to be added to this list, please feel free to comment below and I will add it right away.

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