Drone Flying (A Beginner's Guide to Recreational Flying)

You don’t know how to fly them, where to buy them, or what they can do; but you know you need one.

Drones are a fun hobby for people looking to spend more time outside, enjoy technology and photography!

Check out our our guide below and we’ll teach you everything you need to know about getting into the exciting hobby of drone flying.

Whether you’re interested in flying drones for recreational purposes, such as capturing aerial photos and videos, or you want to use them for more practical applications, such as mapping or surveying, there is a drone that can meet your needs.

Many people enjoy the excitement and challenge of flying drones, and the hobby can be a great way to spend time outdoors and explore new areas.

A Very Brief History of Drones

Drones, or UAV’s (unmanned aerial vehicles) have been around longer than you may think.

The U.S military began experimenting with UAV’s back in the 1930’s with radio controlled airplanes. However, these original models proved to be too expensive and unpractical for military purposes.

As technology improved, militaries around the world were able to improve each model up into the 1990’s when “drones” became a practical and precise military tool.

What are drones used for?

Currently drones are used for a vast variety of activities including…

Aerial Photography
Aerial Videography
Deliveries
Racing
Disaster Relief
Surveillance and Security
Real Estate Marketing
Construction & Surveying
Mapping Wild Fires
Farm Surveying
Recreation

What types of drones are there?

Drones come in a variety of shapes, styles, brands and uses.

When shopping for a drone, it is important to have some idea what you will be using the drone for. That said, you’ll first want to look at the various rotor styles and see what will suite your needs.

Multi Rotor Drones – Popular for both professional and recreational use, multi-rotor drones are the most common drones on the market. They can be used for photography/videography, surveillance and racing among other uses.

Fixed Wing Drones – Fixed wing drones are different from multi-rotor drones in that they utilize a wing style body, similar to that of an airplane. They are remote controlled and battery powered with a typical operating time of several hours. Fixed wing drones are typically used for commercial purposes like surveillance and mapping.

Single Rotor Drones – Single rotor drones look very similar to helicopters. These drones typically are gas powered and require more skill and knowledge to operate than multi rotor drones.

Fixed Wing Hybrid Drones – Utilizing the best features from multi rotor and fixed wing styles. These are the drones that Amazon has been testing for their PrimeAir delivery service. Very expensive, but very cool…

What type of drone should I get as a beginner?

DJI is a leading manufacturer of consumer and professional drones, and they offer a wide range of models that are suitable for beginners.

Some of the entry-level drones offered by DJI include the DJI Mavic 3 and the DJI Mini 3, which are both lightweight, portable drones that are easy to fly and offer a variety of excellent features.

Both of these drones are equipped with advanced flight controls and sensors, and offer long battery life as well as stable flight performance.

Both models also come with intuitive smartphone apps that allow you to easily control and fly the drone, and they offer a variety of camera and video capabilities.

Both the DJI Mavic 3 and DJI Mini 3 feature a The Return to Home (RTH) function includes Smart RTH, Low Battery RTH, and Failsafe RTH. This instructs the aircraft to automatically return to its starting point in situations like a dropped signal or low battery.

If you’re a beginner looking to get into drones, a DJI drone is a solid choice, as the company has a reputation for producing high-quality, reliable products with great features for both professional and beginner drone enthusiasts.

It’s always a good idea to do your research and read reviews before making a purchase to ensure that the drone you choose is suitable for your needs, goals and experience level.

What laws should I be aware of before drone flying?

Drone flying laws are constantly evolving and vary greatly depending on your location. For a full list of drone laws by country, check out DroneRush.com‘s full list of countries and regulations.

That said, there are some general rules of thumb and common sense practices that all drone fliers should know and practice.

Do not fly over people

Stay within line of sight; You should always be able to see your drone while flying.

Stay FAR away from airports and manned aircrafts

If you’re drone has a camera (most do); You’ll need to respect privacy laws and private properties

Check regulations and rules before flying. For example, drone flying is not permitted within National Park boundaries.

Where can I learn more about drones and learn from other drone users?

There are also many online communities and forums where drone enthusiasts can connect with each other and share tips, tricks, and experiences.

If you’re new to drones, you may want to start with a smaller, more affordable model to get a feel for the hobby, and then gradually work your way up to more advanced drones as you gain experience.

Check out r/drones and r/dji to learn more from engaged communities of passionate drone users.