Drones are everywhere. And while the term ‘drone’ may have picked up negative connotations due to its use by the media when reporting on the role they play in the military, nowadays drones have become part of everyday life for many people.
Drones are everywhere. And while the term ‘drone’ may have picked up negative connotations due to its use by the media when reporting on the role they play in the military, nowadays drones have become part of everyday life for many people. As prices have dropped and availability has increased, the range of affordable drones on offer to people has skyrocketed, meaning anyone can get involved and start flying. In this book we’ll take you through all the basics, and examine some of the best drones and accessories on the market. You’ll then find inspirational guides to show you what you can do with your drone, and even build your own. On top of that, discover the amazing ways drones are being used today and how they are changing the…
You might have heard of drones in the past, but now you’re able to buy them! It’s not uncommon to watch a video shot from a drone and immediately want to do the same yourself. As you’ll have discovered by now, there are so many uses for drones that more and more are being thought of every day, and in addition to their practical uses, they’re also fun devices to play with. With great fun comes a great range of choices to make. Quadcopters, multirotors and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are serious tools with specific uses and benefits. Every type has different advantages and disadvantages, but they all share the same issue of security. You won’t be allowed to fly a drone over Downing Street, for example, but you need…
Drones are now common enough that there are stores that stock them and, of course, online shops that sell different types. The differences can be as obvious as cost and manufacturer, but more importantly affect how much work you have to do. You’re not likelyto ever be able to fly a drone home straight from the shop. There are some that need assembling, and some that just need their batteries charged up first. Drones are highly complex devices that rely on so many different parts. The more your interest and hobby develops, and the more experience you gain, the more you’re going to be aware of these components. You’ll no doubt start off buying a complete drone, but later on you might prefer to assemble one yourself in order to…
You could go on Amazon right now and take your pick from more than 700 different drones. However, you might encounter a problem when it comes to choosing which one to buy, as you will be swamped with jargon and reviews. Quadcopters cross lines between electronics, hobbyist products and, in some cases, even toys. So, high-street stores that sell any of these could also sell drones. The retail store Argos, for example, offers a number of UAVs, but not every store will necessarily have every product. Once you have an idea of the type of drone you want, and the amount of money you can afford to spend on it, use online sites to narrow down your search. Read the reviews on these sites, but remember to read them with…
ROTORS You’ll see they’re twisted slightly. Rotors are not straight; they are shaped exactly like aircraft wings, and for the same reason. Their shape affects air flowing over them and that is what produces lift BATTERY Your drone isn’t going anywhere without a charged battery. This is perhaps the most limiting element you’ll face. Fully charged ones will typically only power the drone for 20 minutes SHELL Unless you crash your drone very neatly, you will usually just see this shell. It is the casing; the fuselage of the UAV. Bright colours really help you spot this from a distance LANDING GEAR In this example, the landing gear is an extension of the boom, but you can have more elaborate ones. They let the drone set down on the ground…
ENSURE IT’S LEGAL The laws surrounding drones are constantly changing and being readdressed. One of the most important things to do before you even take your drone out for the first test flight is to do some research and understand the basic laws regarding flying a drone in your country. Ignorance is not an excuse, and you don’t want to get on the wrong side of the law before you’ve even got the most out of your drone. There are limits to where you can fly, especially near people, airports and military bases, so check before you head out and about. Use your common sense and always make sure you’re abiding by the rules. KNOW YOUR BOUNDARIES There’s a reason so many stunning drone videos are of landscapes: you cannot…
