Drones are slowly becoming a mainstay for photography and videography needs. If you’re in the content creation industry, you will know how vital drone shots can be to enhance the look of a video. Hence, to elevate your work, learning how to fly a drone can be a helpful skill.
For many, flying drones could be a hobby as they invest in hi-tech drones and use them recreationally. In such cases, it will be helpful to improve your skills and watch your hobby flourish.
Whether you fly a drone recreationally or for your work, learning how to control them properly ensures that you will not damage your drone or others around you accidentally.
Are you curious about how to fly a drone and want to learn the tips and tricks to perfect your skills? Before learning to fly drones like a pro, know the basics of UAV and drone controls:
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What Do You Mean by UAV Controls?
UAV stands for unmanned aerial vehicles, which is another way of addressing drones. UAV controls are similar to drone control systems. UAVs, like Drones, require flight control hardware and software, which allows them to be controlled remotely by a pilot or by a computer.
UAV flight dynamics are usually highly variable and non-linear. Hence, they may require continuous supervision and control to maintain their altitude and stability. But is it the same for drones?
What Should You Know About Drone Controllers?
When using a drone controller, there are four main aspects of it that you should familiarize yourself with: Throttle, Yaw, Pitch, and Roll.
Left JoyStick: Throttling and Yawing
Yawing refers to the clockwise and counter-clockwise movement of the drone; you can troll this movement by shifting the left joystick on the controller in the left and right direction.
Throttling refers to the drone’s speed, which depends on the power that you give to the drone’s motors. You can control this function by moving the left joystick up and down. It’s crucial to get comfortable using this function, as users usually need to control the drone’s throttle and use the functions of the right joystick.
Right Joystick: Rolling and Pitching
Rolling refers to the left or right movement of the drone, and you can control this by shifting the right joystick left or right. This function is essential when you want to avoid any trees or other obstacles on your drone’s path but do not want to change the altitude.
Pitching refers to the tilting of your drone. By moving the right joystick up and down on the controller, you can control whether your drone will tilt forwards or backward. Although it may sound easy, controlling the throttle and pitch of your drone can be extremely challenging, especially when you have to keep the drone facing towards you. Spend some time practicing these movements to ensure that you fly like a pro.
How to Fly a Drone?
Before you feel comfortable showing your drone flying skills, you will need to practice for quite a while. Before you take your drone out on some busy streets, here is how you should practice flying your drone as a beginner.
Find an Open Space
It is best to try and find open spaces without too many obstacles to get in your way as a beginner. In an open field, you can practice your basic skills without worrying about accidentally damaging your drone or others in the process.
Positioning the Drone
You will need to position the drone according to the instruction manual. Ideally, the drone should be kept on a flat surface and facing you. Ensure that you position it this way before every flight until you feel comfortable in your drone flying skills.
Connecting the Transmitter
When connecting the transmitter, you will need to remember a vital sequence. Right before you turn the transmitter on, push the throttle (left joystick) down. Connect your transmitter and then turn your drone’s battery on. When you’re done flying, your drone follows the same sequence but in reverse order. This sequencing is crucial, and you will need to practice it for every take-off and landing.
Practice Basic Moves
Throttle, Yaw, Pitch, and Roll may sound easy on their own, but when you need to use these controls in conjunction with each other, it can be complicated. Try practicing these basic moves as much as you can until you feel comfortable controlling your drone.
Learning how to fly a drone may look complicated, but you will only need to follow a few basic steps. With time, you can hone your skills further and continue taking spectacular drone footage.