Matt Chandler - Recreational drones

Bonney Field in Sacramento, California, is usually home to soccer tournaments. But in the summer of 2015 during the state fair, the field was transformed into a flight zone. More than 100 drone pilots took part in the Fat Shark U.S. National Drone Racing Championships. At first glance, it might have looked like the seated racers were just relaxing with friends. But upon a closer look, their goggles and slight, quick hand movements would have told a different story. These racers were locked in fierce competition while twisting their drones through a challenging course. In the end, Australian pilot Chad Nowak became the first U.S. national champion.

Drones have been around for nearly 100 years. The first for many years. In the 1930s they drew attention from just a small group of enthusiasts. Unlike todays battery-operated models, early drones ran on gasoline. These bulky airplanes often had wingspans of more than 10 feet (3 meters).

Today more than 400,000 recreational drones are in use in the United States. Hundreds of thousands more fly worldwide. Events like the National Drone Racing Championships draw hundreds of competitors. After the competitions are over, thousands of people might view online videos of the events.

Luke Bannister

FACT

Competitors at major drone races can win huge cash prizes. In 2016 British teenager Luke Bannister piloted a drone at the World Drone Prix in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He won the $250,000 grand prize.

CHAPTER 2

Choosing a Drone

Drones that fly are also called device. Some UAVs also can fly on a pre-programmed flight path. Beyond that, each UAV has its own unique features and capabilities. Buyers choose recreational drones based on their own needs and preferences.

Drones can have the drone can generate.

Fixed-wing drones dont have rotors. They look like small airplanes. These drones usually have a longer battery life than rotor drones do.

Parrots Disco fixed-wing drone can fly about 50 miles (80 km) per hour.

Some drones are even multi-purpose. Parrots Hydrofoil drone can fly in the air. But it can also ride on the surface of the water. As a watercraft, it reaches a top speed of 6 miles (10 kilometers) per hour.

FACT

Axis Drones Aerius mini-drone is so small it fits on the tip of a finger.

DRONES FOR EVERY EXPERIENCE LEVEL

With so many choices available, buying a drone is no simple task. A beginner pilot may want an inexpensive drone that is easier to replace when it crashes. Beginners can buy a basic drone for as little as $25.

As pilots get better at flying, they can upgrade to more advanced flying machines. An experienced pilot may choose an octocopter. This type of drone has eight arms that each operate on an individual motor. Pilots can often attach large cameras to these strong drones.

DRONES FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES

Before buying, hobbyists should consider how they will use the drone. Racers need a small drone with a lot of power, such as the OFM Seeker 450 V2 quadcopter. This drone can reach a top speed of 62 miles (100 km) per hour. It is one of the fastest racing drones on the market today. Some racers have drones with carbon fiber frames. Carbon fiber is lightweight yet strong.

An octocopter flies through the air holding a large camera.

FACT

If one or two engines fail on an octocopter, the pilot can still land the drone with the remaining engines.

DRONES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

The ability to take stunning videos and photos is a main attraction for many drone enthusiasts. Drone (HD) video cameras.

Professional photographers often use the Phantom 3. This drone snaps 12-megapixel still photos. A wide-angle lens captures a large area to the sides. The drone also has image stabilization to reduce blurring. A control lets the pilot easily hover to take images.

The DJI Phantom 3 can stay in the air about 20 minutes before needing to be recharged.

FACT

In 2016 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) updated its rules for those who want to fly drones for business use in the United States. Pilots of drones weighing from 0.55 to 55 pounds (250 grams to 25 kilograms) must be at least 16 years old. They also need to complete training and get a certificate. These pilots also need to follow all of the FAAs other drone rules.

CRASH CONSIDERATIONS

Drones are built to be lightweight and fast. However, these qualities also make drones vulnerable. Most popular recreational drones wont survive a crash from hundreds of feet in the air. Weather can easily cause a drone to crash. Even a light gust of wind can send a tiny drone off course. When purchasing a drone, buyers need to consider how well the drone will stand up to crashes.

Some manufacturers sell crash kits. These kits can come with everything from replacement propellers to a new body cover for the drone. Crash kits allow many repairs to be made in the field at a minimal cost.

Crashes can easily damage fragile parts such as propellers. Replacement propellers and other parts can be helpful to have on hand.

Owners of more expensive drones may buy drone . The insurance can cover some of the costs resulting from a crash.

FACT

The small Walkera QR Infra X Smart drone was the first to have a crash-avoidance system. If an object is nearby, it will automatically fly in the opposite direction.

DIY DRONES

With so many types of drones available, there is a drone that fits the needs of almost every buyer. But some people want the challenge of building their own drones. These drone enthusiasts either use drone kits or build drones from scratch. Basic kits have everything needed to build a drone for less than $100.

A man gets ready to fly his homemade drone in a park in Singapore.

To build a drone from scratch, all the parts must be purchased individually. Building a custom drone in this way isnt for beginners. Like any complex machine, building a drone takes a lot of knowledge and patience. An understanding of can lead to even more features. Imagine a drone with a robotic arm that can land and grab you a snack!

Experts say the advantage to building a drone is having a better understanding of how it works. Drones can be tricky to fly, and many inexperienced operators crash their drones. Building your own drone can lead to better piloting skills.

CHAPTER 3