How to Be a Drone Pilot 

How to Be a Drone Pilot 
If you need to get an up-close look at a far-away object, a drone is the solution.Rocksweeper/Shutterstock
Bill Lindsey
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Is a drone a tool used by the film industry and the military for specialized tasks or is it a toy similar to a radio-controlled airplane? The short answer is “yes.”

Drones have revolutionized filmmaking by providing an easier, much less expensive way to film scenes from above without the need for a plane or helicopter. The military uses drones the size of small aircraft to monitor far-away areas and sometimes to launch an attack without having to send a pilot into harm’s way. Search-and-rescue organizations use drones equipped with infrared cameras to find lost hikers. These devices are also popular with regular folks, but the most common questions asked are, “Why would I get one?” and “What can I do with it?” As it turns out, there are many answers to these questions.

Military forces utilize drones that can quickly be deployed to observe enemy activity without having to place soldiers in harm’s way. (Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock)
Military forces utilize drones that can quickly be deployed to observe enemy activity without having to place soldiers in harm’s way. Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

Varieties

Drones can be found for less than $100 or more than $5,000. The difference lies in quality and abilities, because with these little aircraft, you often get what you pay for. A $50 starter drone will often have very limited flight times due to the battery used and some may not have a camera. Drones are operated by means of a remote controller, which in some cases could be a cellphone. In most cases, the more basic drones aren’t particularly durable, especially when crashed. Some very small ones can be used indoors, but consider how pets may react and don’t allow children to use them without basic instruction or adult supervision—four sharp, rapidly spinning blades demand respect, even from a “toy” drone. A basic drone can be a fun way to learn the basics, but the limited fly time may soon become annoying. Stepping up to a model with a better battery, or better yet, easily replaceable batteries provides more flight time.
Drones are sometimes compared to radio-controlled (RC) model helicopters that are designed to look like real helicopters. But unlike RC helicopters, some drones are equipped with a GPS system to find specific locations and to automatically return to the takeoff spot when the battery goes below a set level. A major difference is the requirement for all drone operators whose equipment weighs more than half a pound to register their equipment with the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA).
Drones range in price from $100 to over $5,000, with more expensive models featuring hi-definition video cameras and GPS navigation systems. (PROFFIPhoto/Shutterstock)
Drones range in price from $100 to over $5,000, with more expensive models featuring hi-definition video cameras and GPS navigation systems. PROFFIPhoto/Shutterstock

Flying for Fun

Recreational users—defined as someone who doesn’t use the drone for business purposes, is at least 13 years of age, and is a U.S. citizen—need only to successfully pass a test of basic safety requirements and obey flight rules in order to register with the FAA.
Recreational drone pilots can use drones to inspect home roofs as a business, take photos for a school website, provide volunteer aerial monitoring of nature sites, and other uses defined by the FAA as noncommercial on its website (FAA.gov), while those flying for commercial purposes need to earn FAA certification. Commercial pilots are held to higher standards and must adhere to a very strict set of rules and regulations but are allowed to deliver packages, dispense chemicals over agricultural areas, and a host of other uses.
Drones are often put to good use by engineers who need to inspect hard-to-access sections of buildings, towers, and bridges. (Dmitry Kalinovsky/Shutterstock)
Drones are often put to good use by engineers who need to inspect hard-to-access sections of buildings, towers, and bridges. Dmitry Kalinovsky/Shutterstock

For casual users, a drone provides a birds-eye view of their home and neighborhood. A drone is a good way to observe wildlife that may not be feasible to approach, taking care to not disturb them. Others seek out drones with a “follow me feature” that can track them from a pre-determined distance to obtain video as they take part in activities such as running, hiking, kayaking, walking the dog, or myriad other action activities. Many home or building inspectors rely on drones to get an up-close view of windows, a roof, or a tower that isn’t easily accessible. Simply put, drones are a great way to go where a human can’t safely roam.

Many drones are used solely for recreational applications such as making personal videos or competing in organized races. (Lukas Davidziuk/Shutterstock)
Many drones are used solely for recreational applications such as making personal videos or competing in organized races. Lukas Davidziuk/Shutterstock

One very unique example took place when investigators wanted to explore the abandoned operations building in Nikola Tesla’s Wardenclyffe Tower in Shoreham, New York. Because the building is contaminated with dangerous mold, humans can’t enter it, so a drone was sent in to view and record current conditions. In another example of a novel use of a drone, a team of National Geographic-sponsored biologists used a drone to fly in and collect samples of nasal mucus expelled from humpback whales in Alaska when they surfaced and exhaled.

A growing number of companies are exploring the use of drones to deliver packages to consumers and retrieve items in warehouses. (MiniStocker/Shutterstock)
A growing number of companies are exploring the use of drones to deliver packages to consumers and retrieve items in warehouses. MiniStocker/Shutterstock

Things to Consider

Recreational drone pilots need to mind their manners; flying over a neighbor’s yard or used to peek into windows of multistory buildings isn’t acceptable and can quickly lead to legal issues. Additionally, in most cases, drones can’t be operated within five miles of airports, near or over military facilities, near flying aircraft, at altitudes above 400 feet, near flying or nesting birds, or in or above certain wildlife sanctuaries. A full list of no-fly zones can be viewed at FS.USDA.gov.
Bill Lindsey
Bill Lindsey
Author
Bill Lindsey is an award-winning writer based in South Florida. He covers real estate, automobiles, timepieces, boats, and travel topics.
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