Drones are the newest technology trend, and it looks like it isn’t going away anytime soon. Almost everywhere you look, you are bound to find drone enthusiasts flying these devices.
Big companies like Amazon have even jumped on the trend. As their Prime Air drone delivery service is edging toward its highly anticipated launch soon, more unmanned aerial systems by groups like NASA are also in the works.
While Amazon and NASA are dedicating their major tech divisions to the development of these drone services, commercial drones continue to draw in geared small-time hobbyists. You can now find a wide range of quadcopters that fit your budget. So if you are looking forward to flying your UAV soon, you might want to familiarize yourself with these helpful guidelines first.
Drone Flying Dos and Don’ts
DO familiarize the drone flying laws in your country
Before purchasing a drone, you need to review the latest UAV laws and regulations in your country or state. the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates all aspects of civil aviation, including drone flying. This does not mean you need a professional pilot’s license to fly a hobby drone, but you definitely need to register the UAV if it weighs more than .55 lbs, the average drone weight on the market.
Luckily, drone registration is an easy and convenient process. All you need to do is to fill out the form online. Registration fee as of 2017 is $5.
DON’T fly over military bases and airports
In 2016, a drone owner was arrested and forced to pay a hefty fine after his drone nearly collided with an Air France aircraft. The pilot was forced to switch from autopilot to manual flight controls in order to avoid the drone flying over Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.
If there is one thing you can learn from that incident, it is that drones and airports clash with one another. So refrain from endangering lives and getting into trouble by steering clear from all areas. The same thing can be said for military bases. Your drone app will typically tag them as no-fly zones, so this is enough reason for you to stay away.
DO fly your drone within your line of sight
You would want to keep sight of your drone at all times to prevent it from crashing into something. While you’re at it, scan the area for any other flying vehicles so you can prevent an on-air collision.
DO install a GPS tracker
Unfortunately, flyaway drones are unpreventable, even the most expensive drones are prone to flying away! At times like these, pro and novice users trust and use drone tracking devices like Trackimo.
These tools can particularly come in handy when it comes to recovering your valuable asset by providing accurate location details of your missing drone.
Don’t fly over 400 feet
Flying a drone over 400 feet is not only dangerous but is also above the legal limit set by the FAA. An anonymous drone owner from the Netherlands once flew a drone up to 11,000 feet above the air. At this altitude, the drone is flying way above the clouds. He made it back just in time with just 4 percent left of its battery life. Attempt anything like this and you just might end up with a severely mangled drone.
DO respect people’s safety and privacy
Look, not everyone is as enthusiastic about seeing your drone as you are. Aside from it being extremely intrusive, it can also jeopardize their safety. Refrain from flying your drone within 50 meters of people, private structures, and over venues of large gatherings like concerts or other events.
As a drone owner, all you really need is common sense and good judgement. Adhere to the rules and always value the safety of yourself and others while flying your drone.
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