Last Updated on 4 months by JoinTheWays

Drone tips and tricks to Become a Pro Drone Pilot

Do you know that there are drone tips and tricks and tips that can unleash your creativity?

As a drone pilot, knowing flying tips and tricks will take your content creation to the next level, especially when using professional drones like DJI Mavic 3 Pro, Exo Blackhawk 2 pro, and so.

First, we need to understand these drone tricks differ for beginners who are just starting with drones and professionals who have been using drones for many years.

This guide will explain the things to start as a beginner, all the cool things you can do with a drone, and lastly, the do and don’t of drones – Let’s get started

Drone tips and tricks

And it’s not all about flying technique, either. Some 31-minute videos are simply about workflow and planning to ensure you’re safe and legal. But there are some great drone moves and shot ideas to help ensure that you come home with the best footage possible.

Drone tips and tricks for beginners

As a beginner pilot or someone starting with drones, you don’t need to worry about advanced drone tricks should be concerned about mastering the drones and some basics things to do with the drone I will discuss below;

UNDERSTAND DRONE RULES, REGULATIONS & RESTRICTIONS

It is the first and most important thing to consider as a beginner. There are a lot of drone rules, laws, and restrictions for flying a drone you need to be aware of depending on the country in which you reside.

Therefore, the rules will guide you and direct you on the safe ways of using a drone, areas to avoid flying drones, allowed height, how to get drone insurance, drone licenses, and everything you need before your first flight.

Therefore understanding the rules, regulations, insurance, and instructions is crucial for beginners.

START WITH EASY-TO-FLY SMALL DRONES

When you are starting, you don’t need to start with large drones. You need to master flying easy to fly models like DJI Mini 2 or Exo mini pro are good when starting.

These models are compact, lightweight, and simple to maneuver instructions videos on how to fly them with just one click, controllers are easy to use, and their user manual a very straight. You can master flying these drones without even taking a drone flying course.

CHARGE EVERYTHING BEFORE FLYING A DRONE!

I know you existed when the new drone you purchased landed! You want to fly it right off the bat. I know cause I always get excited too.

But we don’t realize that charging a drone before its flight is always a good practice because you will notice if drone components have deficits, and you get much more flight time than an uncharged battery.

Another important thing is if you have some budget buy from two batteries above as they will increase your flight time, especially if you want to travel a lot.

ADJUST YOUR SETTINGS

Another crucial thing to consider as a beginner is to make the setting at an optimum state to avoid anything going wrong when a drone is in the air.

Here are some of the most basic settings to check when you are flying a drone for the first time:

• Make sure the drone is well calibrated so it can correct navigation data with accuracy
• Make sure the camera is well settled
• Set Return Home Altitude so when it goes beyond the allowed height, it will return back
• Review Drone Rules for Area

UTILIZE THE RETURN TO HOME FEATURE

One of the things you want to make sure of as a beginner is a drone is safe when anything goes wrong when practicing flying the drone. That’s why you need to utilize the return to home feature.

For example, if you fly a drone and lose it out of sight or run out of battery which quite happens a lot, you need to press a return to the home button, and the drone will automatically return. This feature is so important to use when you are starting.

PRACTICE ON FLAT LAND SURFACES

As a beginner, you need some time and practice to master flying a drone. You need a flat and comfortable flat surface to practice and give yourself enough room to make mistakes without risking damaging the drone.

So, areas like an empty stadium, an open area far from people, or roads are enough to practice. Also, buy a solid mat or something you can fold to take off your drone and protect it from damage when landing.

MAKE SURE THE DRONE DOESN’T GO OUT OF RANGE

A beginner must keep a drone in our range so that you can see the drone when the battery is low. Make sure you keep a drone in sight where you can see it.

CHECK THE WEATHER

When you are a beginner flying a drone, flying a drone in terrible weather conditions is not a good idea. Therefore make sure the weather is clear before you practice.

BONUS TIPS: ALWAYS PRACTICE BECAUSE PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

It is the big one – I can’t stress this enough, you need to practice more and more to get used to drones “the more you practice, the better you get flying these things” Simple.

That’s it for beginners.

Let’s talk about drone tips and tricks for professionals;

Drone tips and tricks for pro

Now skilled pilots know the Ins ad out of drones, but if you need to take your skills further in your professional jobs and enjoy the most out of drone flights, knowing the tips and tricks will massively help you.

Let’s discuss them one by one,

USE ND filters

If you are a professional pilot who loves taking pictures or video footage, you want to ensure you’re ND filters. ND Filters will provide most of your footage with a shallow depth of field.

Always fly in line of sight

It is the most important one for any drone pilot for beginners and pros. Keeping the drone in sight will make sure your drone is safe and will not interfere privacy of neighbors or cause any harmful issues.

Calibrate your GPS

Another great tip to follow when first starting is to ensure that you calibrate your GPS for your drone before you take your maiden voyage. Calibrating your GPS will tell your drone where you want it to return to at the end of its flights or in case anything goes wrong.

Forget this step might have to start over from scratch or buy a replacement when things go wrong.

Switch to sport mode

This one is the best drone trick for pro pilots. The sport mode allows the drone to fast-travel while getting beautiful shots and moves.

In sport mode, your drone will remove some of its obstacle avoidance feature and allows the drone to travel faster. So, you should try and get used to this mode – It’s super cool.

Fly on a flat surface

Drones are to take off from a flat surface free from obstructions. It is for drone safety and durability. Therefore buy a mat, fly your drone from a flat surface and land it on a flat surface too.

It will ensure the long durability of a drone.

Try Different camera movements

This drone tip is a good reminder that drones are for fun. Therefore, a good trick for videography is to try different camera movements when coordinating your complex shot types.

It will help you to find your favorite camera movement that you can work on and perfect it.

Play around with cinematic modes

Cinematic modes are a great way to experience drone capabilities in terms of shooting video in different modes and at different speeds. So as a pro in the videography area, you want to try these cinematic modes and find your favorite one. Drones like DJI Mini pro-2 and Exo mini pro have excellent cinematic drones.

Play around with Active Track

Try Active track mode. Many drone cameras have these days.

The active track can be a great way to shoot moving footage that keeps your subject centered.

BONUS TIP: Protect your drone and anyone around your flying environment!

For the durability of your drone, you need to protect it and anyone else in the flying environment. It is vital for the privacy of crowds and to avoid possible collisions with planes.

Do’s and don’ts of drones

The following are the dos and don’t of drones to fly safely.

Do’s

• Ensure your drone (except Nano in uncontrolled airspace up to 15 meters) is Digital Sky ‘No Permission – No Take Off’ (NPNT) Compliant.
• Obtain a Unique Identification Number (UIN) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for operating in controlled airspace and affix it to your drone
• Obtain an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP), Applicable for DGCA and commercial operations, and keep it handy.
• Obtain permission before each flight through the Digital Sky Platform
• Ensure the drone is in good condition (not damaged) and fit for flying safely
• Keep an eye on interference: Interference can be from mobile devices or blockage of signals, do watch out when flying your drone
• Fly only during daylight (after sunrise to before sunset)
• Fly in good weather: Good weather lets you fly a drone better and keep track of it in the air
• Fly in visual line of sight (VLOS): Always be within a line of sight range of your drone
• Follow flying guidelines
• Do your homework before spending considerable money on a drone. Make sure you clearly understand all operational and regulatory aspects.
• Be aware of Airspace Restrictions/No Drone Zones.
• Do stay away from airports and heliports
• Respect the privacy of people
• Keep local police informed about your drone flying activity. If you are ever approached by the police, provide all requisite information.
• Do log your flights and intimately concerned authorities (like DGCA, and local police ) of any incidents/accidents.

Drone mistakes to avoid (Don’ts)

Here are things to avoid with drones;

• Don’t fly a nano drone above 15m (50ft) from the ground level
• Don’t fly a micro drone above 60m (200ft) from the ground level
• Don’t fly drones more than 120m (400ft) from the ground level
• Don’t fly a drone near other aircraft.
• Don’t fly a drone near airports and heliports.
• Don’t fly a drone over groups of people, public events, or stadiums full of people without permission.
• Don’t fly a drone over government facilities/military bases or/ near any no-drone zones.
• Don’t fly a drone over private property unless permission is issued.
• Don’t fly a drone in controlled airspace near airports without filing a flight plan or AAI/ADC permission (at least 24 hours before actual operation)
• Don’t drop or carry hazardous material.
• Don’t fly a drone under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Don’t fly a drone from a moving vehicle, ship, or aircraft

FAQs