5 Questions Asked By New Drone Pilots: Answered

A new drone pilot wants to know the steps for planning and executing a successful safe flight mission, the regulations that govern drone flying, troubleshooting and problem-solving steps, how to identify and avoid common flying mistakes, and how to maintain and repair the drone. 

These are all important factors to consider when flying a drone safely and efficiently. A flight instructor will provide guidance on these topics and will demonstrate how to plan and execute a flight mission, navigate regulations and laws, troubleshoot and solve problems, avoid common mistakes and maintain the drone properly.

At the time of this writing, do drone flight regulations stipulate that a drone pilot must be tutored by a flight instructor? The answer is, “No.” However by calling upon and learning from an experienced drone pilot or a professional drone flight school, any new drone pilot would benefit greatly. 

What top 5 questions would a new drone pilot ask a flight instructor?

1. What are the basic flight controls and how do I operate them?
2. What are the safety procedures and protocols I should follow before and during flight?
3. How do I plan and execute a successful flight mission?
4. What are the regulations and laws that govern drone flying in my area?
5. How do I troubleshoot and solve common problems that may arise during flight?

QUESTION 1: What are the basic flight controls and how do I operate them?

The basic flight controls of a drone typically include the following:

• Throttle: controls the drone’s altitude and ascent/descent rate.
• Yaw: controls the rotation of the drone around its vertical axis.
• Pitch: controls the tilt of the drone’s nose up or down.
• Roll: controls the tilt of the drone’s wings left or right.

It is important to understand how to operate these controls in order to safely and effectively fly a drone. A flight instructor will likely provide hands-on training and guidance on how to use these controls, as well as demonstrate how they work through a pre-flight check.

QUESTION 2: What are the safety procedures and protocols I should follow before and during flight?

The safety procedures and protocols that a new drone pilot should follow before and during flight include:

• Conducting a pre-flight check of the drone and its systems to ensure that everything is in good working condition.
• Checking local weather conditions and ensuring that they are within safe flying parameters.
• Securing any loose items or payloads that may be attached to the drone.
• Being aware of your surroundings and avoiding flying in restricted or hazardous areas.
• Maintaining a safe distance from people, buildings, power lines, and other potential hazards.
• Keeping the drone in visual line of sight at all times.
• Monitoring the drone’s battery level and returning it to a safe landing zone before the battery becomes critically low.
• Aborting the flight if anything goes wrong and the drone is no longer safe to fly.
• Following any additional regulations or guidelines set forth by local authorities or the FAA.

It’s crucial to follow these procedures to ensure the safety of yourself, others, and the property around you. A flight instructor will provide guidance on these procedures and will likely demonstrate them through a pre-flight briefing.

QUESTION 3: How do I plan and execute a successful flight mission?

The steps for planning and executing a successful flight mission for a drone pilot include:

• Defining the goals and objectives of the flight mission: what kind of data or footage do you need to collect, what areas need to be surveyed, etc.
• Conducting a site survey: determining the location and layout of the area to be flown, identifying potential hazards and obstacles, and obtaining necessary permissions and permits.
• Planning the flight path: creating a detailed flight plan, including the takeoff and landing location, altitude, speed, and waypoints, using mapping software.
• Conducting a pre-flight check: verifying that the drone and all its systems are in good working condition, and that the batteries and payloads are properly configured.
• Launching the drone: using the flight controls to take off and fly the drone according to the planned flight path.
• Monitoring the drone’s telemetry data: keeping an eye on the drone’s battery level, GPS position, altitude, and other important flight parameters.
• Collecting data or footage: using the drone’s cameras or other sensors to collect the necessary data or footage.
• Landing the drone: safely returning the drone to the takeoff and landing location, and conducting a post-flight check.
• Analyzing the data or footage: reviewing the data or footage collected during the flight to ensure that it meets the goals and objectives of the mission.

A flight instructor will likely provide guidance on these steps and will demonstrate how to plan and execute a flight mission through a pre-flight briefing.

QUESTION 4: What are the regulations and laws that govern drone flying in my area?

The regulations and laws that govern drone flying vary depending on the location and the specific use case of the drone. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for regulating the use of drones. 

The main regulations that drone pilots should be aware of include:

• The FAA’s “Part 107” Rules: These rules outline the requirements for flying drones for commercial or business purposes, such as obtaining a Remote Pilot certificate, flying below 400ft, during daylight and visual line of sight.
• Airspace Restrictions: Drones are prohibited from flying in certain airspace, such as near airports, military bases, and other restricted areas. Pilots should check the FAA’s B4UFLY mobile app or website for information on specific airspace restrictions.
• Privacy Regulations: Drones are subject to privacy regulations and laws, which vary by state. Pilots should be aware of local regulations and laws regarding drone footage and data collection.
• Insurance: Some states or municipalities require drone operators to have insurance.

It’s important to check with the FAA and local authorities to ensure that you are aware of and compliant with all regulations and laws that apply to your specific drone flying operation. A flight instructor will provide guidance on these regulations and laws and will help you understand how they apply to your specific situation.

QUESTION 5: How do I troubleshoot and solve common problems that may arise during flight?

The troubleshooting and problem-solving steps a new drone pilot should be aware of include:

• Identifying the problem: Determine what is causing the issue by looking at the drone’s telemetry data, such as battery level, GPS position, altitude, and other flight parameters.
• Isolating the problem: Determine whether the problem is with the drone itself or with the pilot’s control inputs.
• Checking for software or firmware updates: Make sure the drone’s software and firmware are up-to-date and that any updates have been properly installed.
• Check for physical damage: Look for any physical damage to the drone or its components, such as a cracked propeller or a loose connector.
• Check the environment: Ensure that the drone is not in an area with strong electromagnetic interference, or in a location with high temperatures or humidity.
• Returning to home: If the problem can’t be solved immediately, it’s best to bring the drone back to home location by using the “return to home” function.
• Contacting manufacturer: If the problem can’t be solved by the pilot, contact the manufacturer for guidance or to schedule a repair.

By following these steps, a new drone pilot should be able to troubleshoot and solve common problems that may arise during flight. A flight instructor will provide guidance on how to troubleshoot and solve problems that may arise during flight, as well as provide hands-on training on how to fix common issues.