A drone implies an unmanned aerial vehicle, but they differ according to whether they have operators on the ground or whether they are autonomous drones. The creator of modern drones is considered to be Abraham Karem of Baghdad, who is an aeronautical engineer by profession and who constructed the first drone for the Israeli Air Force.
Drones have a large number of purposes, from extremely useful ones such as monitoring climate change and conducting analyses after natural disasters, through recording and delivering certain products, to military ones related to reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeted strikes.
In the text below, we will bring you some interesting facts about drones and tell you everything you need to know about them.
Do You Need a Drone Pilot Qualification?
If you will use your drone for recreational use, then you don’t. For those looking to make some money with stunning aerial footage, you’ll need to fly under Part 107 guidelines – which includes taking a test to become a certified drone pilot.
For those who just want to have fun flying around and taking photos and videos to show their friends, you can do so without passing any rigorous tests.
Who Uses Drones and for What?
In 95 percent of cases, unmanned aerial vehicles are used for TV or video production, or they are used for commercial purposes such as thermal imaging, an inspection of pipelines and power lines, recording of conditions for the application of agrotechnical measures, geodetic surveys, damage recording for the insurance business.
Drones can also be designed for industrial applications since an inspection drone can give you real-time visuals and aerial data of your worksite and equipment from impossible-to-reach angles and locations. The DCV Rulebook does not provide for locations where the use of unmanned aircraft is explicitly prohibited, but provides for the conditions under which flying can take place, i.e., who and how must approve the requested activity:
- The drone can fly only during the day and be in the field of vision of the one who controls it, and that is up to 500 meters from him/her
- The maximum height is 100 meters above the ground unless the Directorate allows use at a higher height
- All unmanned aircraft can be used in an undeveloped and uninhabited area where there are no people or a built-up but populated area in which there are construction facilities that are not intended for human life, in which they occasionally stay.
- For economic purposes, with the prior approval of the Directorate, it is possible to use them in populated areas.
Do You Need to Register Your Drone?
Everyone should register their drone, whether they are flying recreationally or for commercial use. The only time you don’t have to register it is if your drone weighs less than 250 grams. Most drones on the market weigh more than 250 grams, but there are also lighter aircraft, such as the Sanrock U52 and 4DRC F10 drones.
To register your drone, you must be prepared with the following details: personal information (home address, email address, phone number), the make and model of your drone, and a credit or debit card. It costs $5 to sign up, but that will cover you for the next three years. The only prerequisites for registration are that you must be thirteen years of age or older and be a US citizen or legal resident.
Something Else Worth Knowing
The FAA just introduced a new rule that goes into effect on September 23, 2023. From that date, all drones will be required to have a Remote ID, which will notify authorities and other parties of the identification and location details of your drone during flight. The 2023 deadline is to give manufacturers such as DJI time to implement this new feature in their drones. The FAA is proposing a plan to make Remote ID broadcast modules available so you can simply plug them into your current drone without having to buy a new one that has Remote ID built in.
If you stick to the rules and guidelines, you’re sure to have a lot of fun flying your drone without causing any problems. Use common sense and don’t fly near an airport or over a neighbor’s garden. Also, consider the time of day you’re flying: get out during sunrise or sunset when there are fewer people and you can capture shots of gloriously golden surroundings. This will make things safer for you and your drone, and you’ll have some amazing pictures to show your friends too.
Drones are certainly an excellent invention and, as we can see, can be used for a variety of purposes. We hope that this text was helpful and made you understand the importance of the drone and that you will enjoy its possibilities if you decide to buy it.
