Knowing the laws and requirements for drone ownership, use, and operation in your jurisdiction is essential so that you don’t get into trouble with the authorities. In the following guide, we have given answers to some frequently asked questions by drone users and people looking to purchase or operate drones.
How Far Can a Drone Fly?
Drone range could mean one of two things, depending on what you are asking. Maybe you want to know how many miles of the ground the drone can cover before the battery runs out, but typically the range refers to how far the drone can fly away from the controller. Many drones offer enough speed and flight time to cover ten or more miles of ground, but can only travel less than one mile from the remote control. But with advancements in drone technologies, the range where the drones fly out of the operator has been steadily increasing. Drone makers are constantly releasing newer products with improved features and capabilities to stay ahead of the competition. Today, it is not uncommon to find a drone that can fly around 6.2 miles from the control. Every drone version comes with an advertized flight range, which may or may not perform in real-life scenarios, but provides a pretty good idea about what you could anticipate. Nevertheless, the physical limitations of your drone’s range must cede to the lawful requirement to keep your drone in sight at all times during flight. While a toy drone may have a range of approximately 20 to 100 yards, a high-end consumer drone may get a range of roughly 2.5 to 4.5 miles (4 – 8km). Mid-level consumer drones will typically possess a range of approximately 0.25 to 1.5 miles (400m – 3km). The specific range of your drone depends on the strength of the controller signal and the type of transmitting technology used. Unsurprisingly, more expensive drones will generally offer a longer range. For most recreational uses, however, you will have trouble reaching the limit of your controller signal without first going way beyond your visual line of sight, which is against FAA regulations. Below is a list of the top 3 long-range drones:
DJI Air 2S: 7.5 miles
The DJI Air 2S is capable of a staggering 7.5 miles of connectivity, hauling a 1-inch, 20MP camera that can shoot 5.4K video, but all that is packed into a small consumer drone.
DJI Mavic 2 Pro: 6.2 miles.
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is one of the best consumer drones on the market. It has 6.2 miles (10KM) of range, which is common for a handful of DJI drones that use Ocusync 2.0. The 4K camera on this drone is tough to beat, and it also features direction obstacle avoidance sensors, for the best possible safety in the sky.
DJI Mavic 2 Zoom: 6.2 miles.
The DJI Mavic 2 Zoom is the same airframe as the Mavic 2 Pro, but offers both optical and digital zoom on top of a smaller camera sensor. It is capable of the same 6.2 miles of connectivity
How to Register a Drone
UNITED STATES
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones must be registered with the FAA and your registration is valid for three years.
Here is a guide on how to register your drone:
You can register your drone at FAA DroneZone either under part 107 or the Exception for Recreational Flyers. If you are not sure what kind of a drone flyer you are, check out FAA’s User Identification Tool.
All drones must be registered, except those that weigh 0.55 pounds or less (less than 250 grams) and are flown exclusively under the Exception for Recreational Flyers.Drones registered under part 107 may be flown for recreational purposes as well as under part 107.Drones registered under the Exception for Recreational Flyers cannot be flown for Part 107 operations.
Information Needed to Register:
Physical address and mailing address (if different from physical address)Email addressPhone numberMake and model of your droneSpecific Remote ID serial number provided by the manufacturer (if applicable)Credit or debit card
Registration Fees:
Part 107 (commercial operators) registration costs $5 per drone and is valid for three (3) years.The Exception for Recreational Flyers registration costs $5 and is valid for three (3) years.Once registered, drone registration cannot be transferred between types (part 107 or the Exception for Recreational Flyers).
Registration Requirements:
13 years of age or older (if the owner is less than 13 years of age, a person 13 years of age or older must register the drone)A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.For foreign operators, FAA will consider the certificate issued to be a recognition of ownership rather than a certificate of U.S. aircraft registration.
Once you register your drone, you will receive an FAA registration certificate. You must have your registration certificate (either a paper copy or digital copy) in your possession when you fly. If another person operates your drone, they must have your drone registration certificate (either a paper or digital copy) in their possession. Federal law requires drone operators who are required to register, to show their certificate of registration to any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer if asked. Failure to register a drone that requires registration may result in regulatory and criminal penalties. The FAA may assess civil penalties up to $27,500. Criminal penalties include fines of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to three (3) years.
Renewing your Drone Registration
When your drone registration expires, you need to renew your registration at the FAA DroneZone. If you are having trouble logging into the DroneZone, you may need to reset your password. Be sure to use the email address you used when you originally registered your drone with the FAA.
CANADA
All drones between 250 g and 25 kg in weight must be registered. This includes custom-built drones and drones built from a kit or off-the shelf. Drones under 250 g do not need to be registered unless something is attached to it that increases its weight to 250 g or more. Drones over 25 kg also do not need to be registered, but require a special flight operations certificate instead. Registration Fee: $5 Marking your drone: You must clearly mark your drone with its registration number.
Penalties:
If you fly a drone without meeting these requirements, you may be fined. Fines are:
$1,000 for recreational users$5,000 for commercial users
How to register your drone
Individuals and businesses can register their drone through Transport Canada’s Drone Management Portal. What you need before you start It only takes 3 minutes to register a drone. To begin, you will need the following information:
Purchase date (if applicable)Make, model, serial number, weight and type of droneVisa, Mastercard, American Express, or Interac card
How to Get a Drone License (US, Canada, Australia)
UNITED STATES
In order to fly your drone under the FAA’s Small UAS Rule (Part 107), you must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). This certificate demonstrates that you understand the regulations, operating requirements, and procedures for safely flying drones.
First-Time Pilot
Eligibility:
Be at least 16 years oldBe able to read, speak, write, and understand EnglishBe in a physical and mental condition to safely fly a dronePass the initial aeronautical knowledge exam: “Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)”
Requirements for Remote Pilot Certificate:
Must be easily accessible by the remote pilot during all UAS operationsCertificate holders must complete an online recurrent training every 24 calendar months to maintain aeronautical knowledge recency
To become a drone pilot, the following steps will guide you through the process: Step 1: Obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) by creating an Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) profile prior to registering for a knowledge test. Step 2: Schedule an appointment with a FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center. Be sure to bring a government-issued photo ID to your test. Step 3: Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge test: “Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)”. Knowledge test topic areas include:
Applicable regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges, limitations, and flight operationAirspace classification and operating requirements, and flight restrictions affecting small unmanned aircraft operationAviation weather sources and effects of weather on small unmanned aircraft performanceSmall unmanned aircraft loading and performanceEmergency proceduresCrew resource managementRadio communication proceduresDetermining the performance of small unmanned aircraftPhysiological effects of drugs and alcoholAeronautical decision-making and judgmentAirport operationsMaintenance and preflight inspection proceduresOperation at night
Step 4: Complete FAA Form 8710-13 for a remote pilot certificate (FAA Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application) using the electronic FAA Integrated Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application system (IACRA)* Step 5: A confirmation email will be sent when an applicant has completed the TSA security background check. This email will provide instructions for printing a copy of the temporary remote pilot certificate from IACRA. Step 6: A permanent remote pilot certificate will be sent via mail once all other FAA-internal processing is complete. Step 7: Have your Remote Pilot Certificate available whenever you fly your UAS.
Existing Part 61 Certificate Holders
Eligibility:
Must hold a pilot certificate issued under 14 CFR part 61Must have completed a flight review within the previous 24 months
Requirements for Remote Pilot Certificate:
Must be easily accessible by the remote pilot during all UAS operationsCertificate holders must complete an online recurrent training every 24 calendar months to maintain aeronautical knowledge recency
To get a drone pilot license, follow these steps: Step 1: Create an account, or log into your existing account, on the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) website. Step 2: Complete the Part 107 Small UAS Initial (ALC-451) online training course. The course will cover these topic areas:
Applicable regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges, limitations, and flight operationEffects of weather on small unmanned aircraft performanceSmall unmanned aircraft loading and performanceEmergency proceduresCrew resource managementDetermining the performance of small unmanned aircraftMaintenance and preflight inspection proceduresOperation at night
Step 3: Create an account, or log into your existing account, in IACRA. Step 4: Complete Form 8710-13 for a remote pilot certificate (FAA Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application) in IACRA. Step 5: Make an appointment with one of the following entities to validate your identity. Bring your completed Form 8710-13, proof of your current flight review, photo ID, and your online course completion certificate.
At an FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)With an FAA-designated pilot examiner (DPE)An airman certification representative (ACR)An FAA-certificated flight instructor (CFI)*
Please note: * CFIs cannot issue temporary certificates. They can process applications for applicants who do not want a temporary certificate. Step 6: The representative will sign your application and issue you a temporary airman certificate.
You’ll receive your permanent certificate via U.S. mail within several weeks.
Step 7: Have your Remote Pilot Certificate available whenever you fly your UAS.
CANADA
Drone pilots must carry a valid drone pilot certificate at all times while operating their drone. A valid drone pilot certificate is a printed or electronic document issued by Transport Canada. No other form of certification will be accepted. There are two types of pilot certificates: basic and advanced. The type of licence you need depends on how you want to fly:
Drone Pilot Certificate-Basic Operations
To get a drone pilot certificate for basic operations in Canada, you need to take the online exam. If you pass the Small Basic Exam, you will be issued a Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations. You can download and print your certificate through the Drone Management Portal. Your pilot certificate does not expire, but you need to keep your skills up-to-date. Drone Pilot Certificate- Advanced Operations For advanced operations, you need: Drone pilots who hold a Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations can conduct both basic and advanced operations. Once the $25 fee is paid, you will be issued a Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations. You can download and print your certificate through the Drone Management Portal. Your pilot certificate does not expire, but you need to keep your skills up-to-date.
Keeping your skills up-to-date
Before operating a drone, you are required to must have completed one of the following within the previous 24 months:
Re-taking and passing either the Small Basic Exam or Small Advanced Exam;Successfully passing a flight review ; orCompleting any one of the following training activities:Attendance at a safety seminar endorsed by Transport Canada Civil Aviation;Completion of an drone recurrent training program from a drone flight school; orCompletion of a Transport Canada endorsed self-paced study program
Your pilot certificate does not expire, but you must be able to show proof of completion of one of these activities whenever you fly.
What Happens If You Fly a Drone Above 400 Feet?
One of the most established rules of drone flight, and one that applies to both recreational and professional drone pilots, is that they can only fly at a maximum altitude of 400 feet. It is not legal to fly a drone above 400 feet in the United States. If you exceed that, you are breaking an FAA regulation. The relevant rules under Part 107 are summarized within Section 107.51. This section is entitled “Operating limitations for small unmanned aircraft” and contains a set of limits associated with speed, altitude, and visibility. Pertaining to altitude, item B of the Section states that: “The altitude of the small unmanned aircraft cannot be higher than 400 feet above ground level unless the small unmanned aircraft is (1) flown within a 400-foot radius of a structure, and (2) does not fly higher than 400 feet above the structure’s immediate uppermost limit.” When you fly a drone above 400 feet, you risk a dangerous in-flight collision that can damage equipment and lead to unwanted consequences. Most near-miss events between aircraft occur above 400 feet. You may risk losing your drone at great heights. Your drone should always be in your line of sight, and it can be hard to see your drone at altitudes above 400 feet.
Penalty for Flying a Drone Over 400 Feet
The 400-foot rule compliance is voluntary for most drone pilots. The FAA does not have a mechanism to determine if drone pilots are licensed or not. This is fine and may seem like something you need not pay much attention to until you have to come into contact with a manned airplane. If the FAA can identify the drone pilot, you could face severe penalties. Depending on how high above 400 feet you are flying, you may be fined or face arrest. Although drones may seem insignificant in comparison to larger crewed aircraft, piloting a drone requires accountability. FAA restrictions protect you, other aircraft, and the people on the ground from unfortunate mishaps due to negligence or misuse.
Can You Fly Drones in National Parks?
UNITED STATES
In the US, you are prohibited from flying a drone in National parks. National Parks were classified as “no drone” zones in 2014. And flying here means stiff penalties. In order to fly your drone in a national park, you will need a Special Use Permit. This permit can be issued only for uses such as search and rescue, research, and fire safety. However, it is next to impossible to procure this permit. As there was a recent supreme court case that stated National Park Service (NPS) cannot charge visitors for Photography and/or special use permits. To put it clearly, special use permits are still in effect, they just do not charge fees for them anymore. If you are caught flying without your permit, National Park Service rangers have the authority to confiscate your gear. Besides, you could get the maximum penalty of 6 months in jail and a $5,000 fine.
CANADA
Under the “National Parks Aircraft Access Regulations”, drones are considered aircraft, and the take-off or landing of a drone requires a Restricted Activity Permit issued by the superintendent. These permits can be issued under section 3(1) for the purposes of (a) natural or cultural resource management and protection directly related to the administration of the park; (b) any other management or control function directly related to the administration of the park; (c) public safety; or (d) law enforcement. What this means is that you cannot fly your drone in any of Canada’s National Parks unless it is for one of the reasons listed above, and recreational flight is completely prohibited.
AUSTRALIA
In Australia, you need the approval to launch, land, or operate a drone in a national park or other reserve managed by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). To seek approval to fly a drone for recreation, you must complete the application form (DOC 65KB) and send it to the relevant NPWS Office for the park you intend to visit. You can find the park in which you wish to fly a drone on the NPWS website and look for the park office contact details. In addition to seeking approval to fly from NPWS, you must also make sure that you are flying according to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations. A full list of CASA drone safety rules can be found on the CASA Know Your Drone website. You can also use a CASA-approved drone safety app to find further information about the location where you want to fly your drone. Approved drone safety apps can be accessed on the CASA website. Similarly, you need the approval to fly a drone for commercial purposes. Any commercial or business activity carried out in a park requires formal approval such as a lease, license, permit, or consent. Commercial use of drones in parks often involves commercial filming and photography. The Filming and Photography Policy sets out the process for obtaining approval for this purpose. For other types of professional commercial use of drones in parks (e.g. survey or research) contact NPWS for guidance. A commercial drone user may also need to be licenced and certified by CASA and notify CASA before flying. CASA guidelines must be checked to establish requirements for individual operations. It is your responsibility as the drone user to ensure that the drone is operated according to CASA regulations.
What is Headless Mode on a Drone?
Flying a drone in headless mode means that your drone “faces forward” no matter your position on the ground. The headless mode makes the drone respond to your controls irrelative to which way it is actually facing so that you do not have to keep track of the drone’s orientation in flight. To understand how the headless mode on a drone works, you first need to understand the physics of flying a drone. Your drone has 4 propellers (blades) that manipulate the airflow in order to fly. Two of these propellers rotate clockwise, and two rotate counterclockwise. Each one has a motor that determines the speed of rotation. Additionally, the rotation rate of a given pair of propellers determines the direction the drone will take. This flying mechanism gives the drone three basic maneuvers: Yaw, pitch, and roll.
Yawing is when the drone rotates on its own axis.Pitching is when the drone moves forward or backward.Rolling is moving to the left or the right.
You can combine these maneuvers to fly in any direction you want, because all flying patterns, no matter how complicated they appear, are based on these three drone movements. So, if you are going to make the “advanced” moves, you will need to master these basic movements. Flying headless has many benefits, such as: But, headless mode can also have a few drawbacks. The headless mode relies on internal magnetic sensors inside the drone. So, flying in a location where there is a lot of electromagnetic interference, such as cell phone towers), could increase the risk of crashing. You have to be careful because you will experience difficulties flying safely in such areas.
How Much Weight Can a Drone Carry
A drone’s carrying capacity depends entirely on the type of drone you are looking at and what it was designed for. The maximum capacity for a small hobby drone is around 4.4 pounds while the maximum capacity for a professional drone can be up to 485 pounds. It all depends on what you want out of the drone. Below are our top 3 Best High capacity Lift Drones:
What is an FPV Drone?
FVP drones refer to First-person view drones. The “FPV” does not describe the aircraft, but rather the method. As opposed to the conventional method of drone piloting, wherein the pilot controls the aircraft from their perspective on the ground, FPV drones are piloted from the drone’s point of view (i.e., the onboard camera). In other words, you will be flying the drone from the perspective of someone who is actually on board. While there aren’t major physical differences between FVP drones and conventional drones, and generally both are RC aircraft with onboard camera systems capable of transmitting video, the main difference is how the video is transmitted. FPV pilots use the live video transmission from the drone’s camera. That video is transmitted from the drone to a compatible ground receiver and display—either a monitor or video goggles.
How to Clean Drone Motors
Just like other mechanical components, your drone motors also accumulate dust and dirt over time. This dust can come from flying in a sandy atmosphere or from a recent crash in muddy lands. Whatever the reason is, to keep the motor running efficiently, you should ensure nothing is hindering its rotary motion. The best way to clean your drone motor is by using compressed air (for non-magnetic dirt deposits) or silly putty (for magnetic dirt particles). Follow the instructions below to clean your drone motor: The two major parts in a Brushless DC motor found in most drones is the magnetic rotor assembly and the static coil assembly. When you disassemble the motor, the two parts should come apart.
Remove propeller
Before you can do anything, it is a necessity to remove the propeller since you cannot take out the stator assembly with the propeller on. Follow your drone manufacturer’s guide to remove the propeller the right way.
Remove the motor from arm
Although, you can clean your motor without removing it from the drone, removing it makes things a little easier. On some drones, the motors are more closely integrated into the arm so removing it becomes necessary. If you are unsure how to remove your particular drone motor from the arm, check out your drone manual for the assembly/disassembly guide. Make sure you do not break any delicate plastic housing because you are going to put the motor back in as it was.
Disassemble the motor
Once the motor is off the arm, it is time to open it up. Some motors have a shaft screw at the bottom while others have a c-clip ring. The screw can be opened with a screwdriver while for the c-clip, you will need a pair of tweezers to squeeze the open ends together and take the ring out.
Separate the rotor and stator
Once the screw or c-clip is off, you can open the motor and separate the two main parts. Remember that the permanent magnets used inside the motor are quite powerful so you will need to apply some serious force to separate the two parts.
Examine the parts
Once the two sections are apart, it is time to see where the dirt particles have accumulated. There are two types of sand/dust particles: Ferrous and non-ferrous. This is the main part of the drone cleaning. You can either use a compressed air canister or silly putty. You can easily purchase both items online.
If the dust is non-ferrous, you can use the air duster to blow it off. To do that, just hold the nozzle a few inches away at 45-degree angle and blow in short bursts. Remember not to press for too long as the cold air tends to condensate the moisture in the surrounding, which is not good for metallic parts. Do this for both the rotor and stator until all the dust and dirt particles are off.If the dust is ferrous and is sticking to the rotor magnets, the compressed air is not very effective. It will blow the dust off from one place and it will stick to the opposite magnet. In such a case silly putty is very handy. Press the putty inside the rotor spaces and go around the rotor to take out all the particles. You can repeat this for the stator coils as well.
After cleaning both the rotor and stator, you can put them back and re-assemble the motor. During closing the rotor on the stator, remember not to let the rotor hit the bearing with a snap. It can damage the bearing. Try to slowly and gently let the rotor down over the stator.
Are Drones Waterproof?
Many drones are only splashproof, but some manufacturers may advertise them as waterproof. True waterproof drones can be submerged in water or handle a heavy downpour, while splashproof drones can only withstand a small amount of water.
How to Make your Drone More Visible in the Sky
Keeping your drone in direct sight and using physical additions such as lights and different colors will increase visibility. Making sure that your drone has a maximum amount of contrast between the drone and the natural environment is the key to increasing the visible range. You can make your drone more visible in the sky by choosing a drone with a brighter color, using a drone with a higher surface area, adding lights, adding decals and skins, adding reflective tape, using the propeller guards, and creating maximum contrast with your environment. The best color for drone visibility can depend on your local environment. For instance, when flying in the blue sky, you may choose an orange drone to provide maximum contrast. Another option for people who want to make their drone more visible is to purchase a drone with a higher surface area. Drones are becoming smaller and smaller, with pocket and foldable drones increasing in popularity. The decreasing size means that it can be hard to identify. If you are struggling to see your drone in the distance; it would help if you opted for purchasing a drone with a much broader surface area when viewed from below.
How to Find a Lost Drone
Successfully finding a lost drone without a tracker will rely on a few factors. There will be a greater probability of finding the drone during the day when the light is supportive of your mission, together with assistance from friends or relatives. This will not only increase the chances of the lost drone being found but will ensure your safety in the process as well. During the nighttime, you can still find the lost drone if it is powered since its flashing lights will act as a beacon or guide. Regardless of the manner, the reason, and location where your drone has gotten lost, the most important tip to remember are that pilots should never turn off their controller, as it may be the best chance you have of locating your drone. Keep the remote controller connected for as long as you can, as there are several ways you can use it to find the drone.
Use Return Home Mode with Boosted Signal
The first thing you should try is hitting the Return Home Mode on your controller. If you are still within a decent range of the drone and the connection between them is reasonable, the drone should slowly begin making its way back on its own.
Check Last Known Coordinates or Flight Logs
This is another option for anyone who has lost their drone, but it can be particularly helpful for pilots who have lost their drone due to the battery running out of charge. In most cases, remote controllers can store the drone’s last known coordinates before it is disconnected, which will at least help you and your search party target the correct area.
Use another Drone to Scan the Area
If you happen to have another drone with a functional camera that can fly a decent distance from the controller, this may save a lot of time searching for the lost drone. You can use another drone to gain a general view by surveying the surrounding areas – air, land, and water. If the lost drone still has power by nightfall, using a second drone may be the easiest way to spot its flashing lights from a bird’s eye view.
Use Apps to Find your Drone
The Find My Drone app is completely free for iOS and allows users to identify their lost drone’s location by connecting their iPhone to their UAV. The app is highly effective and leads pilots directly to their drone since it functions through MAVlink protocol similar to those used in many standard open source autopilot programs. This app can be useful for locating your lost drone whether or not it is within range.
Why Won’t My Drone Take Off?
There can be several reasons why a drone fails to take off. In most situations, the problem can arise due to issues with the power supply, propeller positioning, compass calibration, or flight location. Some cases are more complex, which have to do with the internal components of the drone and that require a professional to be fixed. Below are some of the potential issues that can lead to your drone not taking off and what to do to fix them:
Problem with the batteries
If your drone is not powering up and shows no signs of life, start by checking the batteries. The batteries will need to be charged before each use. Especially if they are new, be sure to charge before first use, as they are often not charged at all or are only charged to a slight degree when purchased. The battery needs to meet the drone’s requirements in particular as an inadequate voltage supply may cause various problems, so you must ensure the batteries are compatible with the drone.
Compass needs calibration
Though not common, this can also be the reason. Quadcopters may not take off if their compass is not calibrated correctly or overall lack thereof is detected, even if it is powered up and seems to be working just fine. Depending on your drone model, be sure to perform the compass calibration according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Software issues
If your drone is powered up, but the propellers are not spinning, the issue may be related to the software. Such software problems are common with DJI drones and involve remote control settings since they may automatically switch between modes. In such a case, you can easily change any settings causing a failure to take off within the app’s remote control settings.
Incorrect propeller mounting
Incorrect propeller mounting may be the case if your quadcopter is powered up but is not launching, even if the propellers are spinning at full throttle. In some situations, the drone may appear to be lifting off the ground on some sides but not others. Drones require a particular kind of airflow for them to launch and take flight. Thus, inadequate or improper positioning of the propellers will inhibit the drone from lifting off the ground. You may need to switch propellers around so that the correct pattern is followed, and they should be tightly mounted so that they do not slip on the motor shaft.
Unsuitable flight area or restrictions
If you do not ensure that your drone is registered in the country or state you are situated in, or if the drone was registered only recently, it might be a possible reason for the drone’s inability to take off. You will need to make sure that the drone is registered appropriately, and also ensure that the control app is linked to your account and phone number. Practice some patience after registering your drone since it typically takes around a day before the system catches up, allowing you to fly with the newly-registered drone.
