FPV Drone Reviews

Drone Technology: What’s Next for Major Drone Companies?

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Are you an avid drone enthusiast, always curious regarding the latest trends and developments in the industry? Have you ever wondered what the future has in store for unmanned aerial vehicles as drone technology makes more advances than ever before?

The drone market is fascinating to be sure, steeped in an industry that prides itself on innovative, multi-functional technology. For a detailed look at the drone market of today, drone technology trends, and the future outlook of the industry, keep reading.


drone hovering above a person's hand

Drone Market Overview

Key Facts 

Once upon a time, drone technology was misunderstood by the masses, who imagined aerial vehicles constantly swarming about as an invasion of privacy. Not only that, but both commercial and recreational drone pilots had expectations for drone usage above and beyond the realm of reality. This created a host of frustrated users who did not fully understand if what they were demanding from their drones was possible or not.

The good thing is, this conflict has died down considerably, making it much easier to look at the drone market and determine where it is going. One major development in the drone market is significant improvements in software. Key market players have invested in advanced software too.

Drone companies recognized that it was not just the drones that appealed to pilots, but their innate function to harvest data for commercial and recreational purposes. As a result, there has been a substantial rise in strategic partnerships in the market, as bare bones drone hardware does not meet the mark for most users. Drone companies identified this gap and bridged it by working alongside other industry players to create comprehensive drone offerings.

Major Manufacturers

Quite a few mergers and acquisitions have taken place to meet the demands of drone technology and form these strategic partnerships. Companies like Agribotix, PrecisionHawk, and 3DR are not focusing on hardware any longer and instead have moved on to software.

This is partly because DJI has becoming the leader in drone hardware. Not only that, but 3DR openly admitted that their competitor’s pricing options was the primary factor behind their $100 million hardware collapse.

Specialization has been a huge trend among manufacturers in areas like safety and security, delivery systems, and agriculture. As manufacturers carve out their own niche, they are better able to beat the competition with advanced offerings like lighter-than-air, VTOL fixed-wing, and fixed-wing capabilities.

The Autonomous Air Taxi industry has made tremendous strides, particularly as there is substantial monetary backing in this sector. Major manufacturers are vying for the best hardware and top spot. Two key examples of this are Boeing’s acquisition of Aurora Flight and Geely’s acquisition of Terrafugia.

Other companies have altered their game plan from one type of drone to another, such as Ehang’s transition from recreational drones to Autonomous Air Taxis. In both the recreational market, selfie drones and drone racing events are still the main attraction.

Quite a few manufacturers have found it difficult to keep up with user demands. Parrot found it difficult to meet with the changing times, so Bebop became a leader in commercial drone usage. Lily also did not meet the mark, bringing Mota Group to the forefront of the consumer market. Even DreamQii was forced to send out refunds when their PlexiDrone failed users.

Software Changes and Developments 

person using drone controller

Drone technology has experienced significant software changes and developments as of late. Inspection software has come to the forefront with features like pattern recognition. The strategic partnerships that have been created by leading companies create a cumulative solution to drone user needs rather than just elements of the puzzle.

API’s and other techniques that let drone data integrate into established systems has been a huge stride for the industry and is growing all the time. Aerial Data Providers have brought aerial acquired data to new heights with satellite controlled virtual platforms.

Strategic partnerships to enhance software development approaches have crossed national and international borders. For instance, Airmap and Skyward were the first to offer LAANC accreditation.

Service Operations 

Service operations in drone technology have also come a long way. Zipline and Matternet are just a handful of the numerous companies using drones to transport medical supplies throughout Europe and Africa. Drone warehousing has become the latest development on the scene.

Drone entertainment is another service that has reached untold popularity and demand, both for indoor and outdoor enjoyment.

Drone Technology Trends

Co-Piloting Functionalities 

Drone technology is advancing ever onward towards the future, but there are key trends that bear mentioning for any aerial vehicle enthusiast. Co-piloting functionalities have become the innovative solution for drone operation, making flight time seamless and efficient.

Co-piloting capabilities have put software in the driver’s seat rather than drone users themselves. This makes filming or any other drone use much easier because you do not have to put all your focus on flying the drone.

There are a couple different co-pilot systems in the works that have been reported to take this functionality to the next level, where you do not have to think about flying the drone at all. This allows you more room to focus on any other aspect of drone usage you require.

Drone Camera Improvements 

One major drone technology trend is improvements to drone camera software. The goal is to create software with a built-in camera that identifies surrounding obstacles or objects that could impede or damage the drone while in operation.

This would be a step up from current drones that have some sensory capabilities, but only in a very limited capacity. Many drone manufacturers are interesting in making drones more autonomous and independent from users by enhancing this camera functionality.

New Technological Advances 

The small Panoptes Ebumper 4 drone that uses sonar to identify outside hazards and obstacles can now circumvent these impediments altogether, all without involving the pilot. Another drone technology update in the works is a drone guiding system using infra-red sensors and receivers. Supposedly, it would let the drone view its environment and avoid any obstacles of its own volition, provided it was not being operated at too high a speed.
guy using vr goggles to watch drone
One exciting drone technology improvement is current manufacturers’ efforts to change the way pilots can use the drone camera while the aerial vehicle is in flight. If this technology makes it all the way, you will have plenty of other options besides adjusting your camera face or changing gimbal settings.

Companies enhancing their drone technology are working to make every aspect of drone operation more streamlined and efficient for users. They want to improve lighting, lens settings, and filters, along with recording and bitrate, all with a few calibrations on your controller or tablet.

Additional Hardware Components 

A common gripe for drone pilots is the massive hardware restrictions placed on them. Things like power issues and insufficient battery life are a few of the biggest ones, but there are plenty others.

The best drone models on the market still feature drone technology that only allows 20 to 25 minutes of flight for every battery. So, whenever you take your drone out, you are probably used to bringing at least one additional charged battery, if not more. If you take videos and images on your drone, the battery life is drained much faster.

Well, drone companies are trying to change things up with various battery solutions. They are also trying to manufacturer a large battery with a longer rate of usage. One of the most recent developments on this front in drone technology was Sunlight Photonic’s announcement they would sell a new, solar powered drone.

The modding sector has helped make improvements with battery and power issues, creating various drone shortcuts for underpowered vehicles that could lengthen the battery by anywhere from 70 to 80 percent.

Future Outlook

Hobby Drones

What does the future look like for drones? With the latest developments in drone technology, hobby drones are racing to the front of the line. There are over 1.1 million hobby drones in the USA alone, while the Federal Aviation Administration expects the number will increase to 2.4 million by the year 2022.

The one major uncertainty is whether pilots will keep being enthused about the hobby. Researchers have projected that the range of interested pilots could be as low as 2 million or as inflated as 3.2 million, but time will tell how accurate those numbers really are.

Commercial Drones 

With commercial drones and advances in drone technology, there are upwards of 80,000 certified remote pilots. By 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration projects that there will be 301,000 commercial pilots in the sky.

With such a jump in numbers, there will be a greater demand for larger, better developed aerial vehicles with fewer inconsistencies and more features like complete co-piloting and advanced camera sensory technology. That said, the Federal Aviation Administration thinks there will be as few as 452,000 and as many as 718,000 registered drones by 2022.

Conclusion

two woman sitting on sand while flying a drone
Source: Pexels

Drone technology is showing us every day that the potential for advancements and astounding features is limitless. With more and more drones taking to the sky, drone companies will have to work hard to continue to meet user demands. However, with drone technology like enhanced battery life, pilot-independent obstacle avoidance, and infrared sensors coming to the forefront, they are more than up to the challenge.

WARNING: Before You Fly Your New Drone, You Need To Know This

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drone flying with unfocused blue mountains, green valley and a green mountain

How To Fly A Drone Responsibly

Let me guess — you want to know how to fly a drone. Great!

Maybe you were playing with your cousin's remote control car and thought, "This thing should fly!"

Or maybe you attended a phenomenal wedding on the shores of Valencia and watched a 23-minute video of drone footage. Who's to say? (I am to say. It was AWESOME.)

Whatever the reason, drones are becoming more and more popular by the minute.

According to a report by the Federal Aviation Administration, the number of U.S. commercial drones is expected to grow by a factor of 10 over the next half-decade...

From 42,000 drones in 2016 to more than 420,000 by 2021.

Estimately, we'd have more drones than people by the early 2030s!

No matter your reasons for wanting to own, maintain, and operate a drone, you better believe the right one for you exists, and we can help!

Wait A Second — What IS A drone?

First of all, let's start with the basics. You can't fly a drone if you don't know what it is!

you have got to feel the flow

​Via GIPHY

A drone is an unmanned (or un-womanned) aerial vehicle. That doesn't mean uncontrolled — but it means the pilot is not in the vehicle itself.

Mostly, we're talking about commercial drones today, so we're not talking about this:

MQ-9 Reaper, US Navy Drone

MQ-9 Reaper, US Navy Drone. Image from
US Air Force

or this

Dassault nEUROn, Paris Air Show 2007. Image via

Dassault nEUROn, Paris Air Show 2007 Image CC by 1.0, by Captainm via
Wikimedia Commons

or these

Holloman unmanned QF-4 drone

Holloman unmanned QF-4 drone. Image via
US Air Force

For the most part, we're talking about things you can purchase at your town's technology store. I doubt your local Best Buy has any of those multi-million dollar bomb-droppers in the back room.

But that's not to say that the history of drones doesn't include some military trivia.

History of drones

Barrage balloons on the beach at Normandy

Landing ships putting cargo ashore on one of the invasion beaches during the Battle of Normandy. Note the barrage balloons. Via Wikimedia

Even though it can seem like drones have exploded just recently, their history goes all the way back to 1849. Austrian soldiers attacked the city of Venice with unmanned balloons filled with explosives.

Of course, that's not the whole story...

There's a good reason drones didn't become standard practice immediately following that  — many of the balloons blew back and bombed the Austrians themselves. So clearly there were a couple kinks to work out.

chemical mixing

Via GIPHY

Luckily, the kinks were worked out! And that means that now, you can have the drone your heart desires delivered right to your front door.

Drone uses

drone wedding photography

Drone Wedding Photography, image via cmcc04 

Think about it — what would you need a drone for?

In fact, drones have many uses, but some of the most popular are:

  • Nature Photography

  • Landscape Photography

  • Music Videos

  • Weddings

  • Aviation Practice

  • Collecting evidence that your neighbor, Tim Robbins, is actually a terrorist who hates America. (if you're too young to get that joke, it's time for a movie night!)

  • Just plain fun.

If you use drones for nature, you might be able to snap photos like this!

Drone Photography of Whale

, by Ryan Hallock, via Ryan Hallock

Whether it's professional or just for fun, if you pick the right drone, you'll have a lot of fun!

Drone definitions

If you're new to the world of drones, it can feel like people are speaking a foreign language.

a wondering expression

Via GIPHY

But stay with me here — we can de-mystify it all. Here are some common definitions about drones:

  • FPV — First Person View

  • Propellers — The broad, angled blades that make drone flight possible

  • Throttle — Control used to increase or decrease the RPM (speed) of the electric motors

  • Rotor — The shaft that connects to the propellers to give your drone lift. (Also important when it comes to the names of some drone types!)

  • Brushless motor — As opposed to a brushed motor, these are more reliable, efficient, and quiet.

  • Landing Gear — It looks different for every drone. Some look like helicopters, but if there's nothing on the drone's underbelly to damage, some have none at all.

  • Gimbal — A pivoting mount, for stabilizing cameras and other sensors on the drone.

Don't worry if the lingo confuses you at first — that happens to everyone! But if you stay focused, you'll be able to pick it up in no time!

Types of drones

Drone in flight there are many types of drones

Via Pixabay

It won't surprise you to learn that many types of drones are available. Largely, these are broken up into different types, and just like a good bird-watcher, I want you to be able to know these drones by sight.

There are four major types of drone, and they are:

drone with wikimedia logo on it, 4 rotors

Image CC by A-SA by 3.0, by Clément Bucco-Lechat, via Wikimedia


Multi Rotor Drones
USGS Team Flies Drones for Oregon BLM Forestry Research

USGS Team Flies Drones for Oregon BLM Forestry Research. Image by Bureau of Land Management


Fixed Wing Drones
E-flite Blade mSR Micro Single Rotor Model Helicopter

E-flite Blade mSR Micro Single Rotor Model Helicopter, Image CC by 3.0, by Wesha, via Wikimedia Commons


Single Rotor Helicopter


Fixed-Wing Hybrid

Knowing how to fly a drone can certainly be influenced by knowing what you're flying. So watch out for all these different drones!

Drone controls

Drone Controls

MavMount Drone controller with tablet adapter. Image via MavMount

Nothing matters more than controlling your drone.

Just to start with, some drones can cost more than $3,000! That is a lot of money to let get away from you because of a windy day.

So before you make that mistake, let's learn some drone controls.

In general, the four controls you'll need to worry about on a multicopter drone are:

  • Roll — Rolls the copter

  • Pitch — Tilts the copter forward and backward

  • Yaw — Rotates the quadcopter left or right

  • Throttle — Adjusts the altitude of the quadcopter

Once you've nailed down your knowledge of the controls, you can get ready for some serious fun — drone maneuvers!

Dancing in the sky

via GIPHY

I know what you're thinking.

"But when will I get to show off my drone's sweet dance moves?"

Well, we're getting to that. But if you don't treat the craft of drones with respect and patience, three terrible things could happen:

  • You could accidentally break the law.

  • You could accidentally damage property, wildlife, or physically injure someone.

  • Worst of all, you could end up in a viral drone fail video.

While some drone maneuvers are hard to explain in words and lend themselves more to the practical, some can be! The website Clayviation described a maneuver they call Dizzy Up like this:

"Starting from a few feet above the ground, lift straight up while rotating. This only uses your left stick, simply placing it in a forward and left or forward and right position.

Practice different combinations of quickly up with slow rotation, slowly up with quick rotation, etc. Rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise."

With moves like these, you and your drone can dazzle!

Flight modes

https://giphy.com/gifs/scooby–doo–where–are–you–mystery–incorporated–69jvP3VXUYhr3YUYu9” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>via GIPHY

Just like a camera, drones have modes. Many of these vary by drone, and operator skill. However, you should read up before using your drone.

Some modes will require you to draw paths!

Here are a few common flight modes:

  • Manual mode — This mode allows you total control over the vehicle. Only experienced drone users should pull this one.

  • Altitude hold — Useful for when you need to hold a certain altitude and you want smooth filming.

  • GPS Position Hold — Good for beginners! The vehicle does take new directions from you, but it also holds the new path steady until you tell it something new.

  • Failsafe — Emergencies happen to everyone. With Failsafe mode, you can tell the drone what to do if it runs too far afield, or other variables (e.g. rain) This is a good example of why you need to check these modes before flying — you need to know which way the drone will take home.

"By 2020, the commercial drone market is expected to generate just under 2.4 billion U.S. dollars in global revenue." — Statista

Staying on the right side of the law

https://giphy.com/gifs/oACFYaf7KE1eo“>via GIPHY

Can I tell you a secret?

There is absolutely no reason not to properly register your drone. Wanna know why?

According to the Federal Aviation Administration:

"Even if you're only flying in your backyard, drones that weigh more than 0.55 pounds must be registered.

1. Register your drone with the FAA – Visit faadronezone.faa.gov and select "Fly Model Aircraft under Section 336" to get started.

  • You must be at least 13 years old to register your drone. If you are less then 13 years old, a responsible adult must register in your place.

  • Registration costs $5 and is valid for 3 years.

It only costs five dollars — that's why! 

To make sure your drone is good with the feds, you have to be over 13 years old and have $5. That's certainly a lower bar than registering your car in my home state of New York.

When you click on the link to register, it will ask you for a valid email address.

how to fly a drone faadronezone

Image via screen capture by author

And if you're still not convinced, here's a gem from the FAA: "You will be subject to civil and criminal penalties if you meet the criteria to register an unmanned aircraft and do not register."

That's way too much hassle over a small amount. Register your drone.

Drone licenses and certifications

thats cool

Via GIPHY

If you're interested, you can also receive certifications and licenses for your drone, to prove you know your stuff.

Pretty cool!

Unfortunately, though you have to be 13 to register a drone, you have to be 16 to pass the knowledge test. But after that, you can receive your remote pilot certificate, and you will be an FAA-certified remote pilot!

Side benefits

One fringe benefit of registering your drone is loss prevention.

Luckily, Uncle Sam is VERY interested in where all things in the sky are, be they UFOs, drones, and suspiciously not Carl's house from Pixar's "UP."

This means that you can mark your drone with a registration number, and if your drone is lost or stolen, you can use that number to attempt to locate it. It won't always end in recovery, but better safe than sorry.

house flying using balloons

Via GIPHY

Pre-flight checklist

via GIPHY

You know how they say there are no shortcuts? Well, they're wrong. And I'm going to show you one right now.

Print out this list. And before every flight — every single flight — look at it, and do what it says.

I promise you your drone experience will improve.

Before the day you fly

  • Check the weather

  • Update Firmware

  • Update App

  • SD card formatted

  • Story board/shot list

  • Plan your flight route/area

  • Check for obstacles

  • Get needed permissions

  • Pre-notification requirements?

  • Check NOTAMS

  • Controller batteries charged

  • Ground stations batteries charged

  • Aircraft Batteries Charged

  • First Aid Kit

  • equipment packed

Immediately before you fly

  • Final equipment check

  • Inspect aircraft

  • Warn all spectators

  • Home point set/RTH height

  • Satellite strength check

  •  Signal strength check

  • Batteries properly fitted

  • Correct flight mode selected

  • Compass Calibrated

  • Battery temperature correct

  • SD card in aircraft

  • Gimbal clamp removed

  • REMOVE LENS CAP

  • Check wind speed

  • Propellers: tight and freely moving

  • Flip out antenna

  • Know take off and landing sites

  • Double check for obstacles

Take Off!

  • Turn on controller

  • Turn on aircraft

  • PRESS RECORD

  • Ascend to 15 feet and hover: monitor behavior and sound!

  • All controls responsive?

Always fly responsibly! 

If your SD Card isn't formatted, you might get your drone in the air only to realize it can't take pictures. If you haven't done an obstacle check, you might not have noticed a large tree in the distance.

Also, something like checking that all controls are responsive prior to take-off could actually prevent you from crashing.

drone crashing

Via GIPHY

For the uninitiated newbie, it's easy to get swept up. "I don't want to learn all this boring stuff — I want to fly," they think.

And so they have a bad experience because they weren't properly prepared.

Of course there's another side to that problem.

And lest you're knowingly shaking your head at hotheaded newbies, the experience drone flyer faces a different obstacle. "I'm good at this and I know what I'm doing," they'll think. "I can skip a few steps."

And you know what? Enough of those skipped steps and the veterans run into a problem, too, as a result.

But if you follow the checklist, it will help you with things that you, as an advanced drone flyer might forget, and as a new one, might not know to check for.

not agreeing

Via GIPHY

Safety tips

sports drone in flight

Image via Pixhere

There are a myriad ways to keep you and your drone safe. Many best practices for your drone won't blow your mind, but they'll do their job.

Some tips include:

  • Fly in good weather — Unlike actual planes, a drone isn't equipped with fancy tech to let you operate in all kinds of inclement weather. And that means it's important to actually see your drone, and if you can't, you should fly a different day. But there's no harm in waiting, but if it rains or snows, that can spell bad news for your aerial buddy.

  • No Airports (More on that later)

  • Stay within sight — Staying within sight has a double effect — staying within range. If, for instance, you have your Failsafe engaged, then forcing your drone out of range can mean triggering your Failsafe and sending it home. Be careful.

  • Check the area — Checking for obstructions doesn't mean just looking around to make sure nothing's around. It doesn't have to take forever, but it's a deep look at the landscape and how it might change. For instance, perhaps you are nearby a bulldozer, unoperated until 11 am. Something in the landscape was still, and now it's not. Taking stock of the deeper terrain around you will help you anticipate challenges for flying, and even whether or not you should pack it all up.

  • Did you need to be told not to fly above a military base? They will shoot down your drone.

"The commercial drone market is expected to grow to around 8.7 billion U.S. dollars worldwide by 2021." - Statista

Drone regulations

drone regulations

Not surprisingly, drones are a relatively new area of law, and that comes with some problems. The Founding Fathers certainly did not enshrine Americans' right to small, unmanned aerial vehicles in the Constitution.

However, even though there are legal holes where drones should be, here's a classic and familiar standard to go by:

Don't drink and drone.

Seems simple enough, right? Whereas specific statutes exist for bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, cars, and even horses, most states haven't caught up with drones yet. But that doesn't mean they can't get you for injudicious use of drone.

The code says:

“No person may operate model aircraft so as to endanger the safety of the national airspace system."

The FAA doesn't want you to do it. Your mother REALLY doesn't want you to do it. And it's not worth it just to show off to your friends at a party.

Don't drink and drone, and don't let your friends do it, either.

That's a good place to start, here's the next step:

Where to fly and where NOT to

woman flying

Via GIPHY

Would you like to guess where you should fly?

You're going to be disappointed when I tell you.

  • You should NOT fly above an active crime scene or a fire.

  • Do: fly in an open meadow.

  • You should NOT fly above a packed SuperBowl stadium because you forgot to buy Patriots tickets.

  • DO: Fly in places with a clear field of vision.

  • You should NOT give the planes at your local airport a small, annoying buddy.

If you're not experienced, flying over grass doesn't hurt.

All these seem pretty obvious, no? Based on what I've told you, I'll let you guess if it's a good or bad idea to fly your drone over the White House.

All kidding aside ... do not.

How To Fly A Drone

Though there are many who claim otherwise, you cannot learn to fly a drone in seven minutes. HOWEVER, in seven minutes, I can guarantee you'll find enough resources to keep you busy. Check out this one:

Or this tutorial on quadcopters:

This one will give you five steps a beginning drone enthusiast should master:

So you’ve crashed your drone

plane crashed by a gorilla

Via GIPHY

If you remembered to do a good pre-flight check, it was good weather, there were few obstructions, and you didn't drink and drone, you still might end up with a crashed drone.

In this case, I definitely hope you kept the receipt. But also — relax!

Here's your next step:

Retrieve the drone. And often you'll be amazed at how little the damage was — maybe a broken propeller here or there. Don't panic until you can assess the damage and take your next steps.

How to use drone camera (legally!)

a reminder about power

Via GIPHY

I want to tell you a story.

One night, in Lower Township, New Jersey, a man allegedly shot down his neighbor's drone, after his neighbor put it to hover to take pictures of another neighborhood house for his friend — a builder.

Is the story funny? Obviously. But it gets a serious point across.

With great power comes great responsibility.

Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. And just because you feel that you can go wherever you want with your drone doesn't make it legal (granted, it's not always legal to shoot it down).

In Florida, for example, Criminal Code Section 934.50 forbids using drones for surveillance in violation of another person's reasonable expectation of privacy. In Arkansas, AR Code Section 5-60-103 forbids using drones to invade privacy and commit video voyeurism. In California, Civil Code Section 1708.8 forbids the using drones to record another person without consent. And Nevada law (NRS 193.130) prohibits weapons on drones.

So when you pick up that remote, you should think carefully, or you could end up in serious trouble.

Think about it...

...the story of the New Jersey man's shot drone could've ended in much less comic ways.

Drone milestones

drone flying

Via GIPHY

So how do you know if your drone game is any good?

How can you tell if you're improving at all?

Well, there are some skills that, if you master them, you'll be pretty far from where you started. But your ultimate goal is not to learn any one particular skill — but to use them in conjunction to get more out of your droning experience.

Let's check out a couple:

Figure eight

The figure 8 will help you focus on flying and improve your perception of where your drone is in 3D space. It requires combining turning and passing-by skills.

Want more variety? Try varying the size of the loops, or the speed at which you are doing them.

Flying in circles

This will give you an opportunity to improve your droning. Making accurate circles will enhance your skills. For this one, just pitch forward with your right stick, and give it some yaw to turn.

With these in your back pocket, you'll be able to combine them with other skills to make more complex figures as a result. If you're a photographer or videographer, you can also practice moving your drone around as smoothly as possible.

Dot Your I's And Cross Your T's

Now you have a head full of knowledge about drones, but we're not done yet!

And here are a few more things to make your droning experience the best it can be!

Drone maintenance

Similar to your pre-flight checklist, DJI Guides has a helpful maintenance checklist to follow. If you want to keep your drone in fantastic shape, we recommend you keep an eye on:

  • Visual Damage — Obviously, if it's damage you can see, that's not great. You'll already know, due to your pre-flight checklist, whether all controls are responding and if there's an internal issue. But it's a good idea to check the outsides as well for anything you may have missed.

  • Battery — The most important tip we have is this: Don't charge your battery directly after a flight. It's probably too hot.

  • Transportation — Things can happen to your drone while you're carrying it around. Even if you think you're pretty careful, best to check on it.

  • Storage — Make sure your drone is not too hot nor too cold. 77% is probably a good temperature for storage.

Drone pilot ground schools

drones flying

Via GIPHY

A lot of droning can seem solitary and only for lone wolves, but it's not only a solo game!

And if you're the kind of student that doesn't thrive alone, don't worry.

You can join a drone pilot ground school to get an instructor who can get you FAA-certified as a remote pilot. It might cost you a pretty penny ($299).

But we can't all learn Figure Eights by ourselves.

Drone apps

Phones have become a part of our lives and you want a phone that can jive with your drone. Here are a couple of apps that might pique your interest:

AirMap

It has the information for UAV laws in over 20 countries, so you'll never accidentally break the law. And it also allows you to map out flight paths for your drone from the app itself.

UAV Forecast

Another app meant for avid droners, this app will tell you everything you could want to know about the weather (and you should want to know everything.) With apps like these, you'll be able to more confidently plan your outings, knowing exactly the conditions you'll face.

Best drone for me!

swinging using drones

Via GIPHY

And finally, the moment you've been waiting for — what is the best drone for YOU?

Honestly ... I can't just tell you that.

I know that My Dear Drone chooses the 818 Hornet as a great drone for beginners (it's a quadcopter.)

It's a fact that the DJI Phantom 4 has an excellent smartphone app, and it's undeniable that it's solidly outside the range of anything a beginner needs. But we sold Phantoms when I worked at Best Buy, and they rarely came back.

Off the top of my head, I can't tell you which drone is perfect for you.

But you know what to look for, how to obey the law, how to take care of a drone, what you want to learn, and where to get more information.

Hopefully, that information takes you higher and higher in the world of droning, because, above all, remember ... the sky's the limit.

Featured image via Pixhere

superman balloon

Via GIPHY

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Where to Get Started with Drone Racing

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fpv drone racing feat

​Drone racing is rapidly becoming one of the hottest sports hobbies in the world with competing kids and adults. With its fast-paced racing and first-person immersive views, it provides all the thrills of high-speed competition​ without the threat of bodily harm. If you are an adrenaline junkie looking for your next fix, then drone racing may be the perfect fit for you.

What is Drone Racing?

To best answer, this question, let’s first take a look at what a drone actually is. They are best described as a multi-rotor flying vehicle that is piloted via a remote control. Think of the old-timey remote-controlled helicopters you had as a kid and then add 3 more rotors, or propellers, on top of the vehicle.

A Sport

a sport

​Drone racing as a sport is more than just who has the fastest drone. While speed is certainly an important factor, the typical drone race courses require the pilot to be extremely skilled at quick maneuvers in tight spaces. Whether racing on indoor or outdoor courses, it takes a good combination of speed, maneuverability, and timing to be a successful drone racer.

Getting Started With Your First Racing Drone

getting started

​When venturing into any sport, it is important for you to have the right equipment. Racing these high-speed quadcopters is no different. You need the right combination of racing drone, controller, and FPV (or First-Person View), systems if you want to be competitive.

Purchase That Is Designed For Racing

​When it comes to your first drone, be sure you’re purchasing one designed for racing. Some drones are for the casual flyer that enjoys getting a bird’s eye view of the surrounding landscape. Racing drones, on the other hand, are designed for extreme speed and maneuverability.

There are a large number of models to choose from, and that can be an entire article all on its own. However, when selecting your first racing drone, it is best with a pre-built racing model. These will come with about everything you need to start flying.

As you get deeper into the sport, you may want to custom build the drone you want. This pre-built model will also eventually provide you with spare parts. Those will come in handy as learning to make some these high-speed maneuvers can result in the occasional crash landing.

Finding the Right Controller

controller

​More important than selecting the right drone is the process of selecting the perfect controller. Just like with drone models, there are many to choose from and the prices can range from $150 up to over $1000.

Regardless of the racing drone, you select, the controller is what will keep you flying smooth and stable. You will want to take your time and do your homework and find the controller that is best for you.

Finding the Right FPV Solution

fpv goggle

Once you select your first drone and controller it’s time to consider the best FPV option for you. The solution you choose here also has to be tailored to your preferences. Keep in mind that you will not be able to see your drone most of the time while you are flying it.

Types of FPV Solutions

There are two primary types of FPV solutions​. Most racers are using FPV video goggles these days. These are similar to the virtual reality headgear you see for cell phones. These goggles allow you to see what the camera on your drone sees. It is just like you are sitting in the cockpit of your very own aircraft.

If you aren’t ready to spend the money on the goggles​, you can go with an FPV screen. While you save money on the screen, you do lose the freedom to stand and move around while flying your drone. There can also be issues with glare on the screen if you are flying outside. If you plan to get serious about your racing then you will most likely end up with the goggles at some point.

Get Out There and Learn to Fly

outdoor drone racing

​Now that you have your drone, a good controller, and the right FPV, it’s time to go racing right?!? Not so fast my friend. Before you decide to go enter your first race, you are going to want to practice a lot. As we mentioned earlier, these races are as much about maneuvers as they are about speed.

​Courses Required

Drone racing courses will require you to go obstacles often within a very tight turning radius. Even the most seasoned of racers can crash one out of every three races. Crashes lead repairs and additional costs.

It is best to start from the beginning and learn to cruise​ around open sky before you get into obstacles. Get a feel for your controller and the responsiveness of your drone. You will also need to get a feel for the video that you see with your FPV goggles or screen. The technology is getting better, but the video feed can take some getting used to.

Once you master basic flight, then you can begin to work on maneuvering closer to the ground before working up to obstacles. The best advice is to be patient and enjoy the experience of learning to fly your new racing drone.

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