I love film, in fact my main points of focus in college were photography and videography. Aerial shots have always left me in awe and I loved the idea of showing shots that I could not take while on the ground. So, when it came time add to my arsenal available to my clients, I knew I needed to start droning.
This was not quick, nor easy. So, I thought I would take the time to explain some things for people who might be interested in droning, even if just for fun.
Special Note: This series focuses on droning in the USA. Be sure to follow all laws for your country, state, and city.
Lets start at the beginning. There are who types of drone operators, hobbyist and commercial. If you are flying commercial use you must have a Part 107 licence and from here on out I will use commercial and Part 107 interchangeably.
Most people will only fly as a hobbyist, so lets start there. I started as a hobbyist, as getting a good understanding of flight before becoming licensed will only help in the long run.
What Should a Beginner Buy
So, what should you fly? Well, you could go crazy and spend a lot of money on anything from a Mavic 2 Pro, Phantom 4 Pro, or Inspire…but, you may find yourself blowing in money for nothing. This is not to say that you should get one of the El Cheapo drones that flood toy stores for less than the cost of a cup of coffee, but one should not start out on there own with a drone that cost more than a month’s rent.
I actually suggest getting a DJI Tello and a GameSir T1d Controller. This should run you about $150 and is best for beginners.
So, what are some of the perks outside of the price point?
Well, lets start with the weight. It is less than half a pound. This means it does not have to be registered. Any drone between .55 lbs and 55 lbs must be registered with the FAA (If the drone is over 55 lbs there are other things you have to do that are beyond my purview).
Being a lightweight drone, this is perfect to practice indoors, as you really can’t hurt anything. If you take it outdoors, make sure this is no wind, because it will be affected by wind because of its light nature.
The will also get you used to a basic HUD (Heads Up Display), as most drone you will use utilize apps in order to fly. In fact, you don’t even need the controller I mentioned, as you can fly with the touch screen. However, if you plan to upgrade to a bigger drone, then you want to get used to a physical controller. Not to mention that a physical controller handles better than a virtual one.
The video from this drone is only 720p and you have a fixed camera. It may be lacking, but the purpose of this drone is not to get used to filming, it is to get used to flying. I want to make sure it is clear: You can have the greatest camera on a drone, but if you can’t fly it and fly it safely, than you have no business trying the film with a drone.
Now, if you want to spend more, you can go for something like a DJI Spark, It will run around $320. Like the Tello, the spark is able to fly indoors. you will also have to buy a controller separately.
Now there are a couple of differences. The camera is on a gimble meaning you can tilt the camera up and down. It is also a 1080p camera, which is an upgrade from the 720p of the Tello. The major thing is that the Spark weighs around .66 lbs, meaning you must register with the FAA (Although, as of writing this, there is a new model in the works that will, supposedly, be under the threshold).
So, before we get to flying, lets discuss what happens if you need to register with the FAA.
Registering Your Drone
Okay, so as I said earlier, if your drone is between .55 and 55 pounds, then you must go through registration with the FAA.
To do this you will go to https://faadronezone.faa.gov and set up an account. If you are flying as a hobbyist you will register yourself. However, if you have a Part 107 and are flying commercially, then you must register each drone. The cost is $5 per drone for commercial flyers and $5 per person for hobbyists. The registration lasts for three years.
After registration, you will be given a registration number that must be labelled on your drone where it can be seen. Think of it as a licence plate that identifies the drone and its owner in the event of a fly away or an accident.
Now, I know what you’re saying, “but, I’m responsible. Why should i register?” Well, that is a bad attitude to have, as anything can happen, even to seasoned flyers. That and you don’t want to deal with the fine for being caught without a registration. If you fail to register your drone, then you may incur civil penalties up to $27,500 and criminal penalties up to $250,000 and/or up to three years in prison. In other words, just register the thing.
Flying
I could get into the controls of flying, but I will leave that to you. Read the user manuals. Most of the basics are the same from drone to drone, however, there are some differences between each model.
This is not to say that I am not going to discuss flying, but I think it is more fitting to start next time with flying for hobbyists. Now, for those thinking of getting a Part 107, do not think that you can skip it, because most of what I will say is the same for both.
‘Til next time.
Cheers,
Shane H. Wilder