How to keep your drone safe

Every year, more people, companies and institutions take advantage of the advances in drone technology. As the number of drones increases, so do the laws, regulations, and recommendations to promote the proper use of drones.

Businesses are using drones to expand their services, institutions want to increase the quality of life for their citizens (presumably), and people generally just want to have fun. Whatever the reason, here are some tips so you can use your drone as safely as possible.

First I have a very unpopular recommendation: read the manual.

I know how difficult it can be, but once you have your drone, you should take it easy and not blow it up right away. This is a new technology and even if you are familiar with drones, you cannot risk your investment just because you are too lazy to read the instructions. It will take you just a few minutes to read at least what you consider the most important parts to make sure you fully understand how to operate it.

Laws and regulations

Another important aspect is to obey the laws and regulations of the area in which you plan to fly your drone. They vary depending on where you are, but in general terms they are very similar. Most regulations talk about how high your drone can go. The FAA stipulates that a drone cannot rise more than 120 m (400 ft).

A different limitation to flying your drone is not how high but where you can take it. There are certain areas where flying a drone is prohibited. An example is 5 miles from an airport. You cannot fly a drone over people or vehicles because this could be considered a risk for both of you and you will be responsible for any damage caused by your drone. The smart way is to find out about the regulations and the areas where the drone will be used.

Keep track of

Another important safety tip (and a law in fact) is to fly your drone only as far as you can see it and not beyond that. I don't think I should explain this, but just to make sure it goes here: Losing sight of your drone can be really dangerous for people on the ground and costly if you lose your drone entirely. If you can't see your drone, there is a possibility that you will lose communication with the controller and lose full control. Although many drones have the 'back to safety' capability that allows them to return to their starting point, it is still recommended not to venture as far as to lose sight of your drone.

When to fly

Checking the weather can help determine when is a good or bad time to fly them. Although some drones show no problems flying on cloudy days, others show some deficiencies in these conditions. Again, reading the manual is a good idea.

In the event that you have not only cloudy days but also strong winds, no matter how good your drone is, it is a bad idea to blow them up. Winds can make maneuvering the drone difficult and can go anywhere. Again, no matter how good your drone is, if it can happen to life-size helicopters, it will also happen to your طائرات بدون طيار. On days with strong winds, keep your drone at home.

Check components

So now that you've read the manual and have all the information you need to fly your drone, you're ready to have a little fun, right? Well, not quite. Although you know the theory, you still have to verify that the drone works correctly. You must verify that each component is in perfect condition. This includes propellers, batteries, lights and everything that is connected to the drone. And this should be done every time you fly the drone. Every time the drone is to be used, it must be verified.

Use apps

Many companies offer a smartphone app that helps pilots control their drones. If you do, chances are the app has an option to help you calibrate your drone. This is a great tool to make sure the parts work properly and you can fly your drone with no worries.

Obtain permission

Finally, if your drone has a camera and is capable of taking photos or videos, then you need to have the permission of the corresponding authorities to take a photo or video, otherwise it is illegal to do so.

So here you go, you have an initial list of things to consider before flying your drone. Many of the above tips are actually laws to protect the people around you and even yourself, and they vary depending on where you are. Others are just for your own good. Overall, they are meant to make your drone flying experience a good one.