The first question you’ll need to ask yourself before purchasing your first drone is whether or not you’ll be transitioning from hobbyist to commercial pilot in the future. You’ll also need to think about what you’re going to be using the drone for. If you’re only going to be using it for family photos or for your own personal exploration and fun, then a system like the new Mavic 3 will most likely cost you a lot of money and can feel overwhelming at first because of all the features it has to offer. While this is a system that you can certainly learn to use as your skill levels and confidence grows, it won’t be the best choice for someone just starting out in droning because of the cost and capabilities. Here are few factors you need to consider before you buy a drone.
What is a drone?
A drone is a type of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Drones can also be called unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). A drone is essentially a flying robot that can be controlled remotely by a radio controller or fly on its own using software-guided flight plans like Litchi, DroneDeploy, or Pix4d.
Who should get a drone?
Everyone can benefit from flying and seeing a different perspective of the world. Have you ever sat and looked at the birds flying and wondered what the world would be like? Get a drone and have that experience. It’s an entirely different world when you’re looking at it from above. It doesn’t take a photographer or a dream of becoming a drone pilot to fly a drone. No, all you need is an urge to fly. Since the Wright brothers took to the air in 1903, humans have been pushing the limits of flight. So soar like the eagle you are. Get a drone.
Why should you have a drone?
There are a couple of reasons why you might want to buy a drone. First, you want to take pictures or videos of what’s out there. Second, you might want to pursue your dream of becoming a Part 107 pilot or maybe you’ve always wanted to be a cinematographer and this is a great way to pursue that dream and maybe improve your filming skills. Whatever the reason is, you should definitely get a drone.
Why should you consider its weight?
Once you get your very first drone, you’re going to learn a lot. Not only how to fly it, but what it takes to fly it safely. Safety is going to be at the top of your list when you’re getting ready for any flight. You’ll quickly learn that there are a lot of rules and regulations out there that even a hobbyist pilot needs to know.
One of these rules is about registering a drone with the FAA. It’s a relatively small $5 fee to register your drone. Currently, hobbyist pilots don’t need to register their drones if they weigh less than 249 grams. Anything over 250 grams needs to be registered, even if it’s just for personal use or for hobbyist flying. Commercial pilots, on the other hand, need to register every drone they fly commercially, including those under 249 grams.
