A Beginner’s Guide to Flying a Drone for the First Time

Have you always been interested in flying a drone, but unsure of how to do so for the first time? Have you wondered how to fly a drone or what it takes to do it safely? If so, then you should learn all about how to go about flying a drone with rules and regulations.

As you might imagine, there are several things to consider before you fly one somewhere. Even the slightest oversight could lead to a catastrophic trip for your drone.

See below for an in-depth guide on what you can do to ensure control and safety for everyone involved before you fly.

1. Check the Weather

Flying on a drone is one of the most relaxing things that you can do. Nothing is more calming than sending it up into the air and watching it go to work, all while capturing some awesome videos and images!

However, imagine the horror of sending your new drone up into the air and then a huge gust of wind sending it out of your sight. All it takes is a wind a few miles stronger than you were anticipating, then you’ll find it hard to keep control of it while it’s up in the air.

By the time your drone is up in the air, it’s almost too late. You’ll find it difficult to control the drone enough to help it land safely.

That’s why it’s important to check the weather right away. We highly recommend that you download a reputable weather app you can trust. Make sure that it gives you up to the minute forecasting.

Generally speaking, you want to give yourself an hour or two of cushion during a cloudy day. That said, make sure that you never fly in winds that are higher than 35 miles per hour. In our minds, even 30 miles per hour winds are pushing it.

2. Know the Rules

As you might imagine, you can’t just fly a drone wherever you so, please. For example, flying a drone over a person’s property is considered a violation of privacy and may make others feel uncomfortable. There are even reports of people shooting drones down when they hit their property, so you want to be cautious.

Before you start flying a drone, make sure to familiarize yourself with the common roles. There are a number of restrictions for flying over people. A drone can be a safety hazard over large crowds, as the propellers could cause lacerations, heavy drones could cause concussions, and so forth.

Also, while you want to fly the drone high enough to keep people out of harm’s way, you also need to keep the drone below 400 feet.

Always keep the drone in sight. Don’t rely on the built-in camera or use it as your primary viewpoint. As the one operating the drone, you want to keep your eyes on the sky and ensure that it stays close to your vicinity.

There are several other rules like this according to the Federal Aviation Administration, so make sure to familiarize yourself with them.

Side note: if you’re looking for a new drone, then be sure to read this review on DrDrone to compare the DJI Mini 2, Mavic Air 2, and Mavic 2 drone models.

3. Always Check Airspace Regulations

You’re on vacation and notice a beautiful spot that would be the perfect place to capture a photo of sunrise and/or sunset. But how can you ensure that you’re legally allowed to fly the drone in that area?

Thankfully, you don’t have to carry a map with you. There are several phone applications that you can download that will let you know whether or not you are in restricted airspace. We recommend apps like AirMap, UAV Forecast, Hover, and B4UFLY.

By always having one of these apps on your phone, you can quickly check to ensure you’re in a safe area to fly your drone. If not, it can also help you locate a verified spot.

4. Consider Getting Your Certification

First, let’s preface this by saying that certification isn’t required to fly a drone if you’re doing it just for fun. That said, who doesn’t like to make a few bucks while performing their hobby?

If you end up loving drone flying, then you should get certified to make money. To get compensated for the content on your drone, you need to be licensed by the FAA.

Be sure to look into the process of becoming a drone pilot so that you can operate your drone for commercial use. Some even make a full-time living doing this!

5. Register Your Drone

Lastly, make sure that you register your drone before you take it out to fly for the first time. Not doing so is against the FAA regulations.

The cost and process of registration will depend on the size of the drone, but it generally will cost you around $5 to accomplish. That’s more than fair for several hours of flying.

If you don’t register your drone, then you might face civil and criminal charges. The fines can be quite hefty (even reaching 5 figures), so you’ll definitely want to pay the $5 registration fee instead.

Use These Tips Before Flying a Drone

Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on all of the tips and steps you need to follow before flying a drone, be sure to use them to your advantage.

Take the time to browse our website for more articles on how to learn to fly a drone, as well as many other topics that you will find interesting and helpful.