Don't make these seven mistakes when Flying a Drone

It's undeniable: drone flying is one of the most thrilling, exciting activities you can do. It's a great way to explore new areas, get a bird's-eye view of your surroundings, and even get your heart pumping by racing against friends.

 

However, in the excitement of flying drones, it's important to remember that there are certain things you should never do. 

Making even one of these mistakes could result in serious injury, damage to your drone, or expensive repairs. Before you get your racing drones out, here are the worst mistakes you can make when flying a drone:

1. Not Checking the Weather Conditions

Starting with an obvious one, you must check the weather conditions before flying your drone. High winds, rain, and snow can all wreak havoc on your drone and make it difficult to control.

As a matter of fact, wind is one of the most common reasons why drones crash. And it doesn't stop there-if the wind is strong enough, it can damage your drone beyond repair.

What weather conditions are safe to fly in?

Generally, you should avoid flying at wind speeds of 10 to 12 mph. These conditions make it difficult to control your drone and can cause it to veer off course. To be safe, always check the wind speed and direction before flying.

You can do this through various weather apps or by flying close to the ground and feeling the wind yourself.

2. Flying in Restricted Areas

There are various restricted areas where flying a drone is not allowed. These include airports, national parks, military bases, and power plants. Flying in these areas can result in serious penalties, including jail time.

How do you know if an area is restricted?

The best way to find out is by checking the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) website. They have a detailed map that shows all the restricted areas in the United States. They even have a mobile app that you can use to check for restricted areas while on the go.

3. Flying Without Knowing the Rules and Regulations

Another mistake drone pilots make is flying without knowing the rules and regulations. The FAA has a set of regulations that all drone pilots must follow, regardless of where they are flying.

Some of these regulations include:

Flying below 400 feet

The reason for this rule is to minimize the risk of collision with other aircraft. It's also important to note that flying at night is not allowed unless your drone is equipped with lights.

Keeping your drone within your visual line of sight

This means you must be able to see your drone at all times while flying. If you lose sight of your drone, you could lose control of it, and it could crash.

Yielding the right of way to other aircraft

This rule is in place to avoid collisions. Remember, drones are considered aircraft, so you must yield the right of way to other aircraft, such as planes and helicopters.

Flying in designated areas only

Just like how you can't fly in restricted areas, there are also designated flying areas. These are usually open fields or parks where it's safe to fly your drone.

Flying away from people and crowds

Did you know that flying your drone near people is actually against the law? That's because drones can be very dangerous, especially if they lose power and crash.

To avoid injuring people, always fly your drone away from crowds. If you must fly near people, make sure they are aware of the risks and give them the option to move away.

4. Not Registering Your Drone

If you're flying a drone that weighs more than 0.55 pounds, you must register it with the FAA. The reason for this is to help the FAA keep track of all the drones flying in the United States.

Not registering your drone can result in serious penalties, including a $27,500 fine.

So if you're flying a drone that weighs more than 0.55 pounds, make sure to register it before taking off.

How do you register your drone?

You can do it online through the FAA's website. All you need is your email address and a credit or debit card. The registration process is quick and easy, and it only costs $5.5.

5. Not Inspecting Your Drone Before Flight

Unfortunately, many beginner drone pilots make the mistake of not inspecting their drones before a flight. They get too caught up in the excitement of flying and forget to do a basic safety check.

But just like any other aircraft, drones need to be inspected before each flight. This is to ensure that everything is in working order and there is no damage.

To do a basic inspection of your drone, you should:

Check the propellers to make sure they're tight and not loose

Inspect the battery to make sure it's fully charged

Check the drone for any cracks or damage

Make sure all the lights are working

Once you've done a basic inspection of your drone, you're ready for takeoff. Just remember to do a pre-flight check before each flight to ensure your drone is safe to fly. 

Check out Drone Flyer for the latest in the world of drone racing. 

6. Not Checking for Obstacles

Where are you flying your drone? If you're flying in an open field, then you probably don't have to worry about obstacles. But if you're flying in a more crowded area, such as a park or near buildings, then you need to be extra careful.

Here are some obstacles you need to be aware of:

Trees: If you're flying near trees, be careful of the branches. They can knock your drone out of the sky.

Buildings: flying near buildings can be dangerous because of the wind. The wind can gust and push your drone into the side of a building.

People: as we mentioned before, flying near people is not allowed. But even if you're flying in an empty area, there could be people nearby. Be aware of your surroundings and make sure there are no people around before flying.

Animals: There's a reason why you're not supposed to fly your drone near animals. They can get scared and run into the path of your drone, causing it to crash.

The best areas to fly drones are open fields with few obstacles. But if you must fly in a more crowded area, just be extra careful and aware of your surroundings.

7. Not Reading the Manual

We get it - manuals are boring. But guess what? Your drone's manual is important and contains a lot of information that could save you from making a costly mistake. Remember that while drones operate similarly, each drone is different.

So before flying your drone, take the time to read the manual. This will help you understand how your specific drone works and what all the features do. It's also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the controls, so you know what they do before taking off.

What are some essential things you should know before flying your drone?

Here are a few things you should know:

How to take off and land safely

How to control the drone

How to avoid obstacles

What the different lights mean

What the different buttons do

Conclusion

Flying (or racing) a drone can be a lot of fun. But it's important to remember that drones are not toys. They are aircraft that need to be operated safely and responsibly.

So before you take your drone out for a spin, avoid these seven mistakes. By doing so, you'll be able to fly safely and avoid costly mistakes 

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