4. Commercial Drone Maintenance

Drones (or UAS) are prone to wear-and-tear, especially when they are flown regularly for commercial applications. To avoid serious set-backs, you can do small yet effective procedures such as changing a propeller and cleaning its electronics free of dust and debris. Larger procedures such as service to your drone’s electronics and actuators, which can be done by certified repair centers, are crucial too. When both are routinely done, your drone’s performance and longevity will be much greater.

5. Regulations

Even while you have your Part 107 drone certification, you should always refresh your knowledge of the regulations. Airspace, time of day and the surroundings of the area you wish to fly are just some factors you need to account for before flying—and can have serious legal repercussions if you don’t follow them closely.

Not yet certified? Check out the DARTdrones Part 107 drone training course that teaches you all you need to know to become a certified Part 107 Drone Pilot in the US.

6. Post-flight Software for your Commercial Gig

Commercial drone workflows are incomplete without being able to deliver the right product. That is why your post-flight software should be considered for each job you take on. Make sure it can not only work with the media you put into it from your drone, but that it can also create the right deliverable your clients need to get the job done.

7. Clear Communication

If you are coordinating a commercial drone flight with a team, maximize safety and performance by establishing any key words or signals that can be used during the flight. Conduct these checks with anyone who is new to your team as well as with existing members to ensure everyone is on the same page for your mission.

DARTdrones is the nation’s leader in drone training, program development and consultation, offering online and in-person courses in 40+ cities across the United States. DARTdrones takes pride in their comprehensive curriculum, developed by a former US Navy Helicopter pilot, as well as their 40+ flight instructors who are all manned and unmanned aircraft pilots. Visit us online at www.dartdrones.com, call 800-264-3907 or email the DARTdrones Team at info@dartdrones.com to learn more.

The post 10 Important Reminders When Using Drones Commercially appeared first on DARTdrones.

The hurricane season of 2017 showed the advantages of utilizing UAS for public safety missions during large scale events. A large number of volunteer drone operators deployed to Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico to provide any assistance they could offer. The results were positive and demonstrated the benefits of utilizing UAS technology during a large scale event.

However, no matter the size of the incident, it is essential for drone operators to understand public safety command methods in order to be an effective role for a given mission. 

Incident Command System (ICS)

The Incident Command System (ICS) consists of a standard management hierarchy and procedures used during temporary incidents. Due to its scalability, incorporation of an ICS in incidents vary from a simple traffic crash to a major terrorist event. The concept of an ICS developed in 1968 to aid in combating wildfires in California and Arizona. Studies showed that before establishing an ICS, there were issues created by management such as communications deficiencies. This resulted in significant loss of property and lives even when enough resources were available.

The ICS was created to provide a regulated management framework and include a systemized aid response. When required, the ICS can apply to an incident of any size.

The ICS includes several key factors:

• Unity of Command – Every participating individual only reports to one supervisor
• Common Terminology – Reduces confusion resulting from different meanings used by separate agencies
• Management by Objective – An Incident operation that is managed to reach a specific goal(s)
• Flexible and Modular – Allows the system to be scalable and adaptable to fit specific needs
• Span of Control – Limits the number of responsibilities and resources being managed by any individual

Anyone interested in flying Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) missions for public safety must be familiar with the principles of the ICS in order to safely integrate into incident operations and be efficient in their mission goals.

Introduction of the National Incident Management System (NIMS)

Utilizing the principles of the ICS, the National Incident Management System (NIMS) went into effect in February 2003 under Homeland Security Presidential Directive #5. The reason for creating this system was based on the reactions to the September 11th, 2001 event. The goal was to standardize incident management approaches for federal, state, local agencies, private industry, and critical infrastructure operators when responding to incidents of any size, place, or complexity.

Prior to the development of a NIMS, individual agencies created their own policies and procedures related to management and operations based upon the ICS. However, there were slight changes in the execution of the ICS that occurred from agency to agency. This resulted in a patchwork that made mutual aid difficult due to different management styles, training, and operational capabilities.

NIMS is based on the following five key components:

1. Command and management (ICS)
2. Preparedness
3. Resource management
4. Communications/information management
5. Ongoing management and maintenance

By having all participants in the incident familiar with the NIMS, drone pilots will have a better understanding of their role; which will result in more effective coordination with other resources and effective response.

Training

Your first step is to become familiar with both the ICS and NIMS by earning certifications issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The following courses are available to anyone online without a fee and can be completed on your own time:

• IS-100.B: Introduction to Incident Command System
• IS-200.B: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
• IS-700.A: National Incident Management System, An Introduction
• IS-800.B: National Response Framework, An Introduction

After successfully completing each of these courses you are awarded a certificate showing proof of your training. Once completed you will have a much greater understanding of how public safety incidents are effectively managed. 

For more specific training, DARTdrones offers an online disaster response drone training course which teaches drone operators how to be of assistance with a sUAS in a disaster or emergency while ensuring compliance with federal, state and local restrictions. The multi-section online course covers everything you need to know to properly deploy your sUAS in the aftermath of a natural or man-made disaster.

A Tale of Two Incidents

So how does this affect an independent drone operator? Here are two scenarios involving a small-scale incident and how understanding the ICS can make a critical difference in being helpful or a hazard.

Scenario 1: You are driving home and see a column of smoke rising from a local business district. You have your drone with you in the vehicle and wish to help by capturing aerial imagery of the incident. You park a certain distance from the scene and launch from the street. After takeoff, you fly over to the fire scene and begin capturing video and photographs. A firefighter notices your drone overhead and reports it to his lieutenant. The lieutenant becomes concerned, not knowing where the drone came from, its intentions, and having concerns about the safety of responding staff. The lieutenant notifies the incident commander of the drone. The incident commander now has a new factor to be concerned about during his planning and could request a police officer, who is trying to control traffic in the area, to attempt to find the pilot, utilizing yet another resource from the fire scene. After a short while, you return the drone to your landing area and retrieve the SD card, intending on providing it to the fire department afterward.

In this scenario, even the best of intentions can be misconstrued. The drone operators action caused an unnecessary distraction during a critical phase of operations and a reallocation of resources to respond outside of their most useful duties for the incident. The data collected could have been of significant value to the fire department, but could have been even more useful to the incident commander in real-time for fire operations planning as the incident was evolving.

Scenario 2: Again, you are driving home and see a column of smoke rising from the business district. You still have your drone in the car and wish to help, if able. You drive to the edge of the perimeter and make contact with a police officer handling traffic control. You tell him that you have a possible resource for the fire and would like to assist. The law enforcement officer relays your message to the incident commander who invites you to meet him at the command post. After a brief explanation of your capabilities, he advises you to set up a landing area a short distance away. He requests for you to give an overwatch of the building as his concern of the fire spread and the thick smoke is making visibility of the roof difficult. You launch your drone and fly to a place overhead. The incident commander is able to look over your shoulder and use the video displayed to make command decisions to help his fire crews working the fire while keeping your drone out of the immediate area of his crews for safety. The incident commander directs you to different vantage points as required to make planning decisions. After the fire, he asks if you could provide the video to the department for training purposes.

Although this scenario began the same way, the outcome is very different. Rather than being a distraction to the staff involved, you became a true asset that provided critical intelligence used in command decisions.

Knowledge is Power

Flying public safety missions can be dynamic, exciting, and very rewarding. However, it requires a significant amount of knowledge in order to be safe and effective. Having insight of the “hows” and “whys” when flying for these operations goes a long way to being seen as an asset and not a hazard.

The post Understanding Public Safety Command Methods for Drone Operators appeared first on DARTdrones.

“The use of unmanned aerial systems during disaster recovery has revolutionized the way that data is collected, disseminated, and acted upon by responders. During Hurricane Matthew, the data that was collected for my city was critical to initial planning and hurricane relief efforts from assisting in the deployment of first responders negotiating debris strewn streets and avoiding flooded areas, providing a wide area view to our residents who had evacuated the area, and providing damage assessment photographs to FEMA in the weeks after the event. Hurricane Matthew was a learning event that then prepared my unit to respond in a similar manner only a year later when we experienced Hurricane Irma. Many of the lessons learned from the previous year aided in planning and data distribution, but we learn something new from every event”, said Mike Uleski, a Daytona Shores police officer and DARTdrones Chief Public Safety Instructor.

Uleski utilized his drone for search and rescue, damage assessment and structural inspections during both Hurricane Irma in 2017 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Even with wind speeds of 35-40 mph and gusts upward of 50-60 mph, Uleski was able to quickly assess the area, capture data, and deliver important intelligence to the appropriate personnel. His Hurricane Matthew sUAS mission successfully covered 36 miles in 8 hours; saving money, time, and increasing overall efficiency.

With the vast capabilities and benefits of this technology set aside, it’s important to note that drone pilots are not always seen as an asset to first responders. For example, we’ve seen dozens of forest fire fighting efforts across the country being halted due to inexperienced pilots flying near the fire operations. Throughout the 2018 wildfire season, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continuously posted reminders for drone pilots to not fly near wildfire operations and notified drone pilots of fines of up to $20,000. Disaster response operations are strategically planned and coordinated. An inexperienced UAV operator can bring the entire operation to a screeching holt. To be an asset, drone pilots must understand the tactical plan, what other air support is in the area – both manned and unmanned, which areas are restricted, who is in charge of the operation, and how their UAV can help first responders.

As with most natural disasters, the FAA will place a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR), a regulatory action issued as a Notice to Airmen that temporarily restricts aircraft operations within a defined area, around the affected area, but as with the other hurricanes authorized drone pilots will still be allowed to fly. Proper coordination with the Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS), and National Response Framework (NRF) is crucial during any large-scale event like Hurricane Florence. If UAV operators are not included in the incident operational planning, interference of recovery operations will occur and important intelligence will not be captured.

“For Hurricane Harvey, we on boarded almost 20 pilots which included verification of insurance, pilot’s licenses, drug tests and many other clerical issues. Pilots were hired for rescue and hurricane relief efforts. I personally went on three rescues, one was a life-savings rescue with an older woman trapped in her house due to rising waters. She needed immediate medical attention and 911 was swamped. Within one week, we inspected everything from commercial and residential property to monopole, lattice and guyed towers which spread out along the coast. In just that one week, I must have personally completed over ten thousand dollars worth of drone flights”, said Karl Schwab, DARTdrones Flight Instructor.

As Hurricane Florence barrels towards the Carolinas, Virginia and Maryland, it is likely that drone pilots with little to no public safety or disaster response experience will flock to the East Coast to fulfill drone jobs. To help aid in these anticipated hurricane relief efforts, as well as future efforts, the DARTdrones team of Public Safety Flight Instructors have been developing an online Disaster Response Drone Training Course that aims to teach drone pilots to be an asset in an emergency, rather than a liability.

The DARTdrones Online Disaster Response course covers:

• Type and magnitude of a disaster
• Emergency management efforts
• Phases of the emergency response process
• Roles of local, state, and federal governments
• The process for disaster declaration
• Structure of incident command system
• Effective UAV utilization for each phase
• Pre-disaster UAV applications
• Disaster response UAV applications
• Recovery UAV applications
• Drones for response to earthquakes, fires, floods, manmade disasters, hurricanes, and other weather events
• Training to build sUAS capabilities
• Preparation plans
• Advantages and disadvantages of multi-rotor, fixed wing, helicopters, and hybrid aircraft
• EO sensors, FLIR sensors, chemical detectors, and other payloads
• Volunteering for building skills
• Building relationships
• Best practices for volunteering with county, state, and international agencies
• Requirements for contracting with FEMA
• Finding contracts based on emergency management phase
• Other organizations involved in disaster response efforts
• Importance of NIMS training
• Useful waivers during disaster response
• Data requirements impact on flight profiles and altitude
• Organization data privacy and security policies
• Flight profiles
• Weather assessments, FAA weather minimums, and sources of weather information
• Site Assessment including hazards and conditions unique to emergency and disaster areas
• Roles and responsibilities of crew members, crew management
• Stressors and ways to prevent stress among crew member

Mike Uleski stated, “I am proud to have been part of developing the DARTdrones Disaster Response Drone Training Course to share some of my lessons to make sure that responders are able to be efficient and safe during unpredictable events.”

In the coming years, drones will continue to be utilized as essential tools for hurricane relief efforts. The road to getting fully trained disaster response drone operators integrated with response agencies may be a bit bumpy, but ultimately worth the effort.

We are thinking about all of the first responders and our friends in the drone community in the path of Hurricane Florence. Stay safe.

The post Drones for Hurricane Relief Efforts appeared first on DARTdrones.

In an effort to prove the accuracy and capabilities of using a public safety UAS in comparison to traditional methods, we are sharing a case study conducted by Mike Uleski. Mike is an active Sergeant with a public safety department and is cross trained as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, and EMT. He has a degree in Aeronautical Sciences from Embry-Riddle, a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine, multi-engine and instrument ratings, and 17 years of experience building and flying remote controlled aircraft. He also serves as the Chief Public Safety Instructor at DARTdrones, a national UAV training school.

The Problem

On August 17, 2017, units responded to a call regarding several vehicle burglaries that had recently taken place in the Daytona Beach Shores, FL area. The Sheriff’s Office on scene opted to first utilize its manned helicopter to search for the suspects. A thorough search of the area yielded negative results and the suspects were not located. Additional information was provided that several handguns had also been stolen during the vehicle burglaries.

It was believed that the suspects had two stolen vehicles at a local hotel. One vehicle was confirmed stolen, while a second vehicle was believed to be involved. The ground units near the hotel did not want to alert the armed suspects of their activity since it was not safe to have a ground unit capture the second license plate to confirm the status of the vehicle.

The Solution

Mike was called in by his agency to use the department’s public safety UAS, which was equipped with a visual camera and high powered spotlight. Due to the mission requirement for a covert approach, Mike chose to launch his DJI Mavic Pro. Tip: The Mavic Pro provides a quieter aerial platform, adequate flight time, and 2x digital zoom capability.

It’s important to note that Mike’s agency holds an airspace authorization for the local class C airspace. In order to obtain approval, the remote Pilot in Command notified central dispatch of the commercial drone operations. Another officer within Mike’s agency, who also holds a Part 107 certificate, was then dispatched to assist as a VO (visual observer) for the mission. After all necessary pre-planning was complete, the mission began.

Mike was instructed to launch the UAS into the specific location (approximately 1,000ft away) and confirm the license plate of the second possibly stolen vehicle. With the public safety UAS, he was able to descend directly over the top of the one-story hotel, and remained out of visible sight for any people in the hotel. He descended to 30ft above the roof and used the 2x digital zoom to read the license plate of the second vehicle. The license plate was confirmed as stolen and linked to the same group of suspects who had been captured on a home video surveillance system. Once that information was collected, Mike ascended the UAS back to an operational altitude of 150ft to resume surveillance.

Ground surveillance then notified the supervisor that the subjects were entering the vehicle and appeared to be leaving the scene. All units quickly mobilized and the group was detained in the parking lot of the hotel. The Mavic Pro was flown back to the staging point and recovered without incident.

The Results

It is very important to understand your state and local laws related to all aspects of operating an UAS. Florida passed the “Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act” in May of 2015. It restricts the use of UAS for law enforcement when collecting evidence. Several exceptions are included in the statute, of which one includes:

(c) If the law enforcement agency possesses reasonable suspicion that, under particular circumstances, swift action is needed to prevent imminent danger to life or serious damage to property, to forestall the imminent escape of a suspect or the destruction of evidence, or to achieve purposes including, but not limited to, facilitating the search for a missing person.

Due to the identification of the first vehicle being connected to a group that had been observed committing an armed home invasion and vehicle burglaries, it was believed they had the capacity to cause death or injury, escape, or destroy evidence if swift action was not taken. A search warrant was being submitted at the time of the operation, but due to the quickly developing incident, it was not possible to have it signed before the suspects would be able to escape.

The operational advantages an UAS brings to an agency cannot be underestimated. The intelligence that a UAS can provide can be difficult or impossible to acquire by other means. We will also see more mutual aid responses from agencies with an operational UAS unit. If you can, it is important to match your aircraft to your mission. In this incident, the agency’s DJI Inspire 1 would have been visually and audibly noticeable when attempting to read the stolen vehicles license plate. The DJI Mavic Pro fit the mission requirements perfectly and performed successfully.

Public Safety UAS Operations vs Traditional Methods

In a traditional setting, a public safety professional would typically perform ground surveillance and a manned helicopter search. Both of those methods would be unsafe, overt, and not time or cost sensitive. Launching the public safety UAS successfully hit all of those points.

Traditional Methods

Total flight time: 30 minutes response to on scene, 30 minutes on scene, 30 minutes return to hanger

Safety: The helicopter is limited to a minimum of 500ft altitude due to noise level. The aircraft is easily heard, recognizable, and draws attention. The manned pilots are at risk due to overt environment and they could potentially be fired upon.

Cost: $2,500 per hour of flight (depending on location)

Overall efficiency: Due to the size and noise of a manned helicopter, the suspects have time to flee the scene, yielding negative results. Also, due to the angle required to read the license plate, a manned helicopter was unable to successfully perform this specific mission.

UAS Operations

Total flight time: 26 minutes

Safety: The UAS pilot was safely on the ground and out of sight

Cost: Initial cost of the UAS ($1,000+ depending on platform)

Overall efficiency: The UAS brought speed, accuracy, intelligence, and safety to the mission. In just 26 minutes, the mission was complete, incident free.

UAS After Action Report

• Date: August 17, 2017
• Event: Capture of armed home invasion robbery suspects, Daytona Beach Shores, FL
• Mission: Assist with surveillance for possible armed suspects
• Aircraft: DJI Mavic Pro
• Flights: 1
• Flight crew: 1 pilot-in-command/1 visual observer
• Total flight time: 26 minutes
• Total distance flown: 0.75 miles
• Maximum altitude: 125 feet AGL
• Weather: Temp 89 degrees F, sky clear and visibility unlimited. Wind from the east at 7kts.

Where Does DARTdrones Come In?

We are the industry leader in UAS training and UAS consulting. Just like Sergeant Mike Uleski’s mission, every public safety case has to be executed efficiently and safely. That is why DARTdrones creates custom public safety drone training programs. Every mission is different, which is why our flight school is tailored to the specific needs and anticipated missions of each department. We have trained 30+ police and fire departments from across the globe on basic drone training and mission specific operations. The training is designed to provide professionals with a strong foundation of skills while creating scenarios one would encounter during a mission. For more information on our public safety drone training programs, Part 107, and other online UAS courses, visit www.dartdrones.com or call us at 800-264-3907!

The post Surveillance and Capture of Possible Armed Suspects Using Public Safety UAS appeared first on DARTdrones.

Throughout this case study, you will learn how Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in public safety have the capability of offering significant efficiency advances compared to traditional search and rescue, damage assessment, and structural inspection operations. DARTdrones is excited to share Sergeant Mike Uleski’s story demonstrating this industry-altering technology.

The Problem

In October 2016, the east coast of Florida saw the first approach of a powerful and devastating tropical cyclone which became the first major hurricane in the area since Hurricane Felix in 2007. Hurricane Matthew was forecasted to strike the Florida Peninsula as a Category Four storm but actually arrived as Category Five. The storm’s highest winds reached 165 mph and damages were estimated to be over $15 billion.

While Mike Uleski attended his agency’s operational briefing regarding all plans for before, during, and after the hurricane, he was tasked with flying the department’s UAS unit for post-storm search and rescue, damage assessment, and structural inspections. “I received permission and I quickly began planning and mobilizing for launch,” said Uleski.

All registered UAS pilots received an email prior to the hurricane regarding flying in areas affected by the storm. Abiding by all FAA rules, regulations, and Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR), Mike contacted the air traffic control (ATC) for Daytona Beach International Airport, class C airspace. He received airspace authorization as needed and was required to contact ATC prior to takeoff and notify them once UAS operations were completed.

The Solution

An Unmanned Aerial System was launched immediately after the hurricane passed and winds subsided to perform initial hazard and damage assessments. Mike acted as the Pilot-In-Command and was assigned a Visual Observer for all hurricane flight operations. The aerial perspective was critical for these initial assessments in order to scout areas of heavy damage where ground vehicles had difficulty maneuvering due to downed trees and power lines.

Damage assessment and aerial inspection flights were deployed after initial hazard and damage assessment flights concluded. The drone being used, a DJI Phantom 3 Advanced, was able to properly perform, even with wind gusts up to 30kts. A 5-block area was able to be assessed with a single battery. Each building was surveyed with the UAV, and areas of observed damage were noted on a map for later detailed inspection and analysis.

Due to the amount of damaged property, multiple UAV flights were necessary. The operational area was approximately seven miles long, and a half mile wide. The initial assessment and survey flights required roughly two hours of flight time. All other damage assessment and inspections required six hours of flight time. Total flight time and execution was eight hours.

The Results

Using a drone to inspect and assess hurricane damage allowed UAS pilots to collect data much faster than traditional public safety methods. The aerial photographs and videos collected during these missions were quickly captured, downloaded, and delivered to the city public works department before beginning hazard clearing. The local power company used the information for analysis of the integrity of the power grid, and the building department used it for building inspections. The area’s finance department also used the data for documentation for FEMA reimbursements. With this detailed UAV data, the city was able to quickly and efficiently evaluate damage and correctly prioritize clean up.

During large scale events, such as Hurricane Matthew, it is important to understand the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Any large-scale events will involve an incident command structure. An UAS can provide important intelligence to the incident commander, but also interfere with recovery operations if not included in the incident operational planning. Free online classes are available for introductory courses, ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800, through FEMA. It is highly recommended for any UAS operator, volunteer or public safety professional, to have these certifications and a working knowledge of how to integrate it into the incident command structure prior to responding to a public safety incident.

Overall, these flights demonstrated significant cost and time savings. More UAS pilots will respond to future natural disasters and major events to assist in assessment, relief, and recovery. UAS training and technology has already been credited with saving lives, and the number of rescue missions will surely increase. But as the technology is very new to public safety, it is important to always operate in a safe manner and learn from other department’s successes, as well as their failures.

UAS After Action Report

• Date: October 8 – 9, 2016
• Event: Hurricane Matthew, Daytona Beach Shores, FL
• Mission: Initial search and rescue, area hazard and damage assessment, structural inspection
• Aircraft: DJI Phantom 3 Advanced
• Flight crew: One Pilot-In-Command/One Visual Observer
• Total number of flights: 30
• Total flight time: 8 hours
• Total distance flown: 36 miles
• Maximum altitude: 150 feet AGL
• Weather: Temp 85 degrees F, sky clear with unlimited visibility. Wind from the southwest at 20kts., gusting to 27kts.

About DARTdrones

We are the national leader in UAS training and UAS consulting. We offer in-person and online Part 107 test prep and commercial drone training programs. If your department is interested in implementing drones into daily operations, call us about our custom public safety drone training. Check out www.dartdrones.com or call 800.264.3907 to learn more information!

The post UAS for Public Safety: Hurricane Matthew Search and Rescue, Damage Assessment, and Structural Inspection appeared first on DARTdrones.

Police UAV: Unit Successes and Failures

Right now, departments that utilize drones are few and far between. Agencies that use them often — and effectively — are even more rare. But with an exploding commercial market, the question must be answered as to why such an effective tool might be pushed to the wayside by public safety agencies.

While doing research during the development of my own agency’s UAV program, I spoke with a number of departments. Some tried UAV technology and then put it on the shelf. Others had the program expand, and now have extensive operational experience. Let’s concentrate on the reasons that programs become underutilized, or fall apart completely.

Even though each department was unique, similar hurdles seemed to trip up the ones whose UAV programs failed. The deciding factor for many of these agencies was how much determination they had to make the program succeed. As with any new technology development, the learning curve is steep. The following are some brief summaries of hurdles for UAV program developers, and solutions to overcome them.

1. Lack of Vision

For people who are not familiar with advanced drone technology, UAVs are simply a fun flying toy for your backyard; they’re not a tool with myriad practical uses. This lack of understanding wasn’t the only problem with a department’s vision.

Some are just resistant to change.

You will find people who are comfortable with the way things are done and will strive to keep anything from changing. Try to set up a demonstration day for your agency so that everyone is on board with the program and can also voice their concerns. The goal is to make officers more efficient and provide a safer working environment.

2. Cost of a Police UAV

In 2014, I attended a class about law enforcement drones. The presenter was knowledgeable, but the average price tag of the UAV examples he used was $100,000!

The prices floored me. I  build my own fixed wing aircraft and multirotors for under $1,000, with similar capabilities and payloads. Several of the agencies I contacted completely passed over the “prosumer” drones that have become the mainstay of the commercial drone market, believing that they were too simplistic to be used as an effective, professional, tool. They instead concentrated on “public safety” specific drones. Many with the extremely high price tag to go along with the title.

There is no reason that a police UAV program cannot be successful with off-the-shelf prosumer drones from companies such as DJI, or Yuneec. You can find a drone to match just about any budget.

3. Lack of Community Support for Police UAV

One of the most important aspects of a successful UAV program is the support from the agency’s administration, the local government, and the citizens you serve.

The media has painted drones as a tool for intrusive surveillance, or dangerous machines that are destined to destroy life and property.

Many departments cast aside their UAV programs after public outcry regarding privacy. Some agencies developed their UAV program without informing the public, then faced severe criticism when the public saw the drones in use. Agencies that succeeded did so because they developed the program with transparency, and involvement of the public.

If your department is involved in city events, take the initiative and introduce the UAV program to the public in person.

4. Fear of the Unknown

The knowledge needed to operate a UAS can intimidate many people without an aviation background. Therefore, the certificate of authorization (COA) process stopped many departments from investing the time and resources into program development.

The COA can still be a good option for agencies, but with the introduction of part 107, many agencies have begun to revisit their UAV program. There is no easy way around it, the knowledge required is technical and extensive, but it is not impossible to learn by any means. Drone flight school, including DARTdrones, have created courses that can help a drone pilot get their Part 107 certificate with about 20 hours of studying.

5. Insufficient Case Law Precedent

The speed with which drones have been adapted for commercial uses is staggering. But with these increased capabilities comes the requirements to regulate the technology. Sadly, many legislators, from small town city council members to federal congress members, have very little practical interaction with drones.

As stated earlier, many of the past stories produced by the media have painted drones in a negative light. Thankfully, this misconception changes as people see drones as a practical tool. But, with this lack of knowledge comes regulations created more by emotion than by logic. It can be difficult, if not impossible to find case law precedent regarding drone use, and the respective regulations. This will improve with time as drone use become more commonplace.

6. Liability Concerns for a Police UAV

Liability is typically at the top of the worry list for any agency. That’s justifiable.

Ask any crowd of people how many have flown a drone. Then out of that group, ask how many have crashed a drone. The number will typically be approximately 80 percent.

The question is, why is that number so high? Easy answer: lack of training.

Aviation has the safety record it has for one reason: extensive training, along with ongoing education, required at all levels. Many new UAV pilots have very little hands-on experience flying drones. And with the new drone technologies, taking off can be as easy as a finger swipe. And return home can be as easy as pushing a button. Does that really make that person a safe pilot? Even today’s prosumer drones are sophisticated aircraft. Quality training is not an option, but a requirement. DARTdrones offers drone training custom tailored for police and fire departments.

Never Quit

Many agencies use the mantra of “never quit” for defensive tactics training. The same phrase can easily apply to your UAV program development.

You will run up against obstacles. A lot of learning must be done. Departmental and governmental hurdles have to be to overcome.  And people will be out there who don’t want you to succeed.

But the reasons to utilize UAVs for public safety — saving and protecting life — outweigh all of these negatives. Although your program development might not move forward as smoothly as you would like, never quit. Someday, someone’s life might hang in the balance, and your UAV and pilot are the difference between life and death. That will be what makes all the hard work worthwhile.

This article is part of a series designed to help police departments launch a police UAV program. Read our other articles here:

• Launching a Police Drone Program: The Chief Wants One, Now What?
• Law Enforcement Drones Can Address an Agency’s Need

Mike Uleski is one of DARTdrones many expert pilot instructors and also a public safety officer. He has written extensively for DARTdrones about how police can use UAVs. He wrote this post about police UAV programs.

The post The Top 6 Reasons Police UAV Programs Fail appeared first on DARTdrones.

“An unmanned aircraft system (UAS), sometimes called a drone, is an aircraft without a human pilot onboard – instead, the UAS is controlled from an operator on the ground.”

Let’s take a deeper dive into the question of what is a drone. Let’s start by going over the history of drones. After that, we’ll look at what goes into a drone. Then we’ll break down the types of drones available. When we’re done, you’ll know what drones are.

Brief History of Drones

So, what is a drone? When you hear the word “drone”, you probably think of a technologically advanced flying machine, whether it’s a military UAV conducting precision airstrikes in far off locations or a consumer drone buzzing around your neighbor’s backyard. But unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have actually been around since before World War I.

In fact, Austria launched the first drone. It was actually a balloon for remotely triggering bombs, back in 1849. The U.S. started developing remote controlled aircraft in the 1910s. Today, when you ask the question “What is a drone?” the common answer is an unmanned aerial system (UAS) that is capable of autonomous flight, as opposed to a radio controlled (RC) aircraft that is only capable of being controlled by control inputs from the pilot holding the radio transmitter.  This definition holds true whether you are referring to an MQ-1B Predator drone conducting combat operations in Afghanistan or a DJI Phantom series drone flying around your local park.

Drones have become increasingly popular over the last few decades for many reasons. In terms of military operations, using drones cuts out the risk to a pilot’s life that goes along with any manned flight mission and can also reduce the overall number of troops in combat. On the civilian side, drone technology has been advancing rapidly, much like the advancement of cell phone technology, making drones affordable for a wide variety of consumers.

What is a Drone Made Of?

Another way to answer the question “What is a drone?” is to look at the parts of a drone. Actually, since there is more to a drone than just the flying vehicle itself, it may be better to approach this question from a systems point of view and ask, “What is a UAS?” The three basic subsystems of a UAS include the actual vehicle, the payload, and the ground station. These three basic subsystems apply for any type of drone, military or civilian.

The vehicle subsystem could be a fixed wing or a rotary wing platform. Most of the consumer drones that are on the market today are quadcopters, so we’ll focus on answering the “What is a drone?” question for that type of drone.

A basic quadcopter drone platform consists of the airframe and landing gear, a propulsion system consisting of four motors and propellers, a flight control computer, and a navigation system (GPS).

A battery, usually housed in a compartment inside the airframe, typically powers a quadcopter. The most common payload for a consumer level drone is a camera, but the payload could consist of infrared sensors, electro-optical systems, radars, or even cargo. The ground station, or remote control, is the final subsystem of a typical quadcopter. The remote controller allows you to communicate wirelessly with your drone and transmit control inputs.

A basic remote controller consists of an antenna, or antennas, and flight control sticks. The flight control sticks allow you to make pitch, roll, throttle, and yaw inputs. Some remote controllers, like the DJI Phantom and Inspire series, have a flight control display, often in the form of a smartphone app, that connects to your system. It allows you to monitor battery life and component health, monitor navigation, select flight modes, and see what your camera is seeing.

Types of Drones

Now, that we’ve answered the question “What is a drone?” in terms of parts, let’s cover some of the different types of drones that come to mind when you ask the question “What is a drone?”

Military Drones

Military drones have been in the news a lot lately as the U.S. enters the second decade of its drone campaign. Military drones come in all shapes and sizes and perform a variety of missions including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, fire support, precision targeting, search and rescue, and convoy/raid overwatch.

Check out some stats on two of the U.S. military’s current UASs:

• Fire Scout: Northrop Grumman manufactures the Fire Scout, an unmanned helicopter based on the Bell 407 helicopter airframe. The Fire Scout can operate from any air-capable ship or land base to support the Navy’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission. There are two Fire Scout variants (the MQ-8B and the MQ-8C). The MQ-8B has completed multiple deployments, and the MQ-8C is ready to deploy. The MQ-8B can fly at 85 knots, has a ceiling of 12,500 feet, can carry a payload of up to 300 lbs, and has a range and endurance of 596 nmi and 7.75 hours, respectively, with a baseline payload.
• Predator: When you think of military drones, the MQ-1B Predator is likely the first drone that comes to mind when you ask “What is a drone?” The Predator has been around since the late 1990s, and the U.S. Air Force currently uses them for armed reconnaissance, airborne surveillance, and target acquisition. The fixed wing Predator is 27 feet long and has a wingspan of 55 feet. It can cruise at a speed of around 70 knots and has a range of 675 nmi. The Predator can carry a payload of 450 lbs and typically armed with two laser-guided AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.

Fixed Wing Drones

Are there any civilian fixed wing drones? Yes! Fixed wing drones have the advantages of higher speeds and longer flight times as compared to the more common multi-rotor drones, but they tend to cost more than your average consumer level drone. Parrot has just released a new, lightweight, 45-inch wing span, fixed wing drone called the Disco. It is in the same price range as some of the higher-end multi-rotor consumer drones. The Disco comes with a first person view (FPV) headset and is designed to fly at speeds of up to 50 mph with a battery life of around 45 minutes. Check out the Drone Girl’s new review of the Parrot Disco for more information.

A popular fixed wing drone primarily used for agriculture, insurance and emergency response, energy and mining, and environmental monitoring is the PrecisionHawk Lancaster. The Lancaster 5 weighs a little over 5 lbs and has a wingspan of nearly 5 ft. It can fly at speeds of nearly 50 mph with a battery life of approximately 45 minutes. The Lancaster 5 is equipped with field-swappable, plug-n-play sensors, such as a camera, thermal infrared sensors, multi-spectral and hyper-spectral sensors. It has LIDAR, allowing users to perform a wide variety of mapping and surveying applications.

Quadcopters

The quadcopter is one of the first types of drones that probably comes to mind. A quadcopter has four motors attached to four propellers. Two of the propellers spin clockwise, and two of the propellers spin counterclockwise. Variable thrust control pitch, roll, and yaw in a quadcopter. In other words, certain combinations of motors must be sped up or slowed down in order for a drone pilot to perform various maneuvers.

Quadcopter drones come in a variety of sizes and price ranges. Some, like this Cheerson CX-10, are even small enough to fit in the palm of your hand! DJI is one of the most popular brands of quadcopters. They offer both consumer and professional quadcopter camera drones. You may be familiar with DJI’s Phantom and Inspire series of drones. (DARTdrones offers a full day Phantom and Inspire training course) DJI has also recently released a compact, foldable drone called the Mavic that combines an obstacle detection system, precision hover capability, 27 minute flight time, 4K video, and a 12 megapixel camera in a package that is approximately 1/6th the size of the Phantom series drones! The DJI Mavic can easily fit into most backpacks and even a medium sized purse!

Commercial Drones

What is a drone used for commercial purposes? Any drone used for commercial or business purposes is a commercial drone. Many drones marketed towards the consumer market, like the DJI Phantom drones, are for commercial purposes. However, there is a commercial class of drones that typically has a higher price point than the average consumer drone. These commercial drones usually have a more durable construction, a more sophisticated sensor or camera system, and may offer the user more direct support from the manufacturer for maintenance or customization.

The Yamaha RMAX, a remotely piloted helicopter designed for precision aerial spraying of crops, is an example of a commercial drone . The two-bladed, gasoline-powered RMAX has operated in Japan for nearly 20 years but only recently gained approval to operate in the U.S. Here’s a video of the RMAX in action conducting precision agriculture for a Napa Valley vineyard.

The Altavian Nova F7200 is another example of a commercial grade drone. The fully autonomous, fixed wing drone, is designed for large-scale agricultural data collection. It has a 90-minute flight time, and it can even land on water!

What is a drone able to do for my business?

So, what is a drone good for? It’s also important to understand drones how drones are used. Aerial photography is one of the most common applications for drones in the civilian market. For example, real estate agents can use aerial drone photography to show potential buyers unique details such as aerial views of the entire house and property, as well proximity to amenities.

Agricultural drones survey crops and provide farmers with a cost-effective way to monitor crop health and quickly identify problems. Construction companies use drones to track site progress. They conduct site surveys and 3D models, inspect bridges or structures, and provide customers with aerial views of their project. This is why so many people are interested in starting a drone business.

The possibilities for commercial drone use are seemingly endless, and the worldwide drone market is expected to grow to nearly seven billion dollars by the year 2020. In other words, what is a drone used for? Just about anything.

Becky Hagner is one of DARTdrones’ many expert pilots. She earned certification as a commercial helicopter and fixed wing pilot. She wrote this post about What is a drone?

The post What is a drone? Let’s examine UAVs appeared first on DARTdrones.

Indeed, Orlando is known for many things, but in recent years, the drone racing scene has definitely taken over. There are numerous racing leagues and competitions around Florida, and if you are expecting cut-throat competition: think again. There is so much camaraderie amongst the drone racing and drone flying communities in Orlando. Says DARTdrones flight instructor Sean Pagliari, “I love the open and excited response I get from every pilot I meet in Orlando. We all want to help each other succeed.”

Where to buy drone gear in Orlando

Where can drone enthusiasts go to find the best drone equipment and accessories in the Orlando area? DARTdrones Flight Instructor Michael Uleski recommends High Fly Hobbies in Daytona Beach, Florida. This hobby shop sells equipment for all types of aviation enthusiasts – ranging from airplanes and helicopters, to land – cars and trucks, and sea – boats. It will become your new one stop shop for all things unmanned.

Michael also recommend Graves RC in Orlando, Florida. Graves RC Hobbies is a family owned and operated business that has been in operation since 1991. Graves has a pretty sizable online store, so you can shop from the comfort of your own home in addition to their 7500 sq. ft. store. They carry more than 27,000 stock items: entry level to a full line of racing drones, parts and accessories. They cater to all Radio Controlled Hobbies like airplanes, helicopters, cars, boats and drones, and will even service and provide spare parts post-sale. If there is a remote controlled vehicle you are looking to purchase, you can be sure that they will have it!

Where to practice and fly in Orlando

Orlando is no doubt the perfect spot for flying a drone. It has gorgeous weather year-round, and beaches close-by. Michael flies his drone from the Daytona Beach to Flagler Beach area. Do be sure, however, that you are not flying your unmanned vehicle over  people and large crowds. Sean flies in an open field behind his house for practice. This ensures that he is not putting anyone in danger while operating his equipment, and he also figures it is wonderful practice for creating cool shots out of less interesting scenery.

Flagler Beach; Photo: Trip Advisor

Additionally, there are several fields where drone enthusiasts are known to fly. RCACF (Radio Control Association of Central Florida) and TORCHS (The Orlando Radio Control Helicopter Society) are great options around the greater Orlando area. One can join in on the many scheduled events that TORCHS organizes on their premises. A well-known drone racing group, the Roto Racers, has also been known to have meet-ups at TORCHS. 

About DARTdrones Flight School

DARTdrones is the national leader in drone training with the best flight instructors in the industry. We offer classes both online and in-person throughout the country. All of our flight instructors are manned aircraft pilots and certified drone pilots. Our team of experts include FAA Certified Flight Instructors, military veterans, Blackhawk helicopter pilots, commercial airline pilots, and a curriculum developer of one of the Navy’s drone programs. Our classes include:

• Part 107 Test Prep – Learn to pass the FAA’s Part 107 Airman Knowledge Exam with our in-person or online Part 107 Test Prep Course.

• Drone Pilot Training – Learn to fly your DJI Phantom or Inspire in this hands on flight training class.

• Launching a Drone Business Under Part 107 –  Learn the ins and outs of starting your own drone business including Developing Your Drone Business Strategy, Finding Customers, Business Operations, Legal Considerations and Liabilities, and Drone Insurance.

• Custom Training – Our expert can come to your group for custom training. We train corporate groups, small team, police departments, fire departments, and government entities.

Subscribe to Our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoM7P689zFLAcGqgKbEdqHQ

The post The Biggest Drone Influencers in Orlando Part I appeared first on DARTdrones.

Craig’s first memory is a little different. As he recalls, “Growing up in Iowa City in the 1970’s, a liberal, anti-war town, there was an old F-86L loaned by USAF that the city mounted at the entrance to the municipal airport. This created much consternation with the local populace, and I remember the back-and-forth that went on between those who wanted to scrap the plane as a symbol of war, and those who wanted to honor it by placing it at the entrance of our local airport. That battle and the subsequent and eventual victory by pro-display supporters (“Old Jet” remains in place today) first drew my attention to aviation, and a life-long respect and love for all things that fly.”

Although both flight instructors have had fairly different careers in aviation, it brought them to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they reside and are drone pilot instructors for DARTdrones Flight School. They will take us through some of their favorite local places to fly and buy drone gear, as well as the most active drone groups in town in this first part of a series on the Most Influential Drone Pilots in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Where to buy drone gear in Minneapolis

If you are looking for a great place to find drone equipment and accessories, look no further than Maverick Drone Systems, in Savage, Minnesota. It sells a full range of drones and accessories, with brands ranging from DJI, Autel, and FLIR. Plus, they have accessories that include cases, drone parts, and camera equipment. Christina purchases most of her gear from Maverick and says it has been a tremendous help!

Where to practice and fly your drone in Minneapolis

With its lush forests and breath-taking views, Minneapolis is no doubt the ideal place for flying drones. One student comments, “[I fly my drone] over the river with a view of the skyline, and of course over the wealth of gorgeous forests…north of the cities.” It is, however, illegal to fly your drone over state parks without obtaining proper permission, so please make sure to find out where you can and cannot fly. A Minnesota man faced $55K in Government fines in 2016 for flying his drone to take pictures of Cecil the Lion for his friend’s event. According to airmap.io, recreational flyers can fly around Champlin, Minnesota and Ramsey, Minnesota, North West of Minneapolis. One notable place to fly your drone in Champlin is around the Champlin Mill Pond, where you can find many people fishing off the pier. It is also a great picnic spot in the summertime. Please note, however, that it is important to check for temporary flight restrictions around your area before you take off for every flight.

Craig enjoys flying his drone near Casey Lake Park in St Paul. The Minnesota Autonomous Vehicle Meetup Group meets there regularly, in addition to the other numerous events they put on year-round. (See Meet up groups for additional information) Craig also flies his drone at AMA-affiliated fields, including the 10 within 25 miles of the Twin Cities. Some AMA fields you can try out include:

– St.Paul RC Club located 15 miles north of St.Paul
– Grassfield RC in Brooklyn Park
– Anoka County Radio Control

Drone Meet-Up groups in Minneapolis

If you are looking to find like-minded people to fly your drone and share tips with in the Minneapolis area, the Minnesota Autonomous Vehicle Meetup group is perfect for you. This group is organized by our friend, Aaron Sykes, and has over 650 members. Events occur every couple months and range from Fly Days, to educational and fundraising events. Memberships are free, and they list their events very far in advance so you’ll be able to attend and get flying in no time! They are focused on spreading sUAS education, safety, and conducting community outreach. Both Craig and Christina are members of the meet-up group, and regularly attend events with the other drone enthusiasts in the area.

To be featured in our next article on the Minneapolis drone market, email may@dartdrones.com.

About DARTdrones Flight School

DARTdrones is the national leader in drone training with the best flight instructors in the industry. We offer classes both online and in-person throughout the country. All of our flight instructors are manned aircraft pilots and certified drone pilots. Our team of experts include FAA Certified Flight Instructors, military veterans, Blackhawk helicopter pilots, commercial airline pilots, and a curriculum developer of one of the Navy’s drone programs. Our classes include:

• Part 107 Test Prep – Learn to pass the FAA’s Part 107 Airman Knowledge Exam with our in-person or online Part 107 Test Prep Course.

• Drone Pilot Training – Learn to fly your DJI Phantom or Inspire in this hands on flight training class.

• Launching a Drone Business Under Part 107 –  Learn the ins and outs of starting your own drone business including Developing Your Drone Business Strategy, Finding Customers, Business Operations, Legal Considerations and Liabilities, and Drone Insurance.

• Custom Training – Our expert can come to your group for custom training. We train corporate groups, small team, police departments, fire departments, and government entities.

Subscribe to Our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoM7P689zFLAcGqgKbEdqHQ

The post The Biggest Drone Influencers in Minneapolis Part I appeared first on DARTdrones.

What is a Drone?

Technically speaking, the terms Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) are the proper terms for describing a “drone”. The term “drone” has become the common term that most people would call a multirotor.  Specifically, it denotes a remotely piloted vehicle that has some ability to fly autonomously; this includes fixed wing aircraft. For the purpose of this article we will focus on multirotor type aircraft. Multirotors may include tri-copters, quadcopters, hexocopters, and octocopters. There is a wide range of different motor configurations.

Check out this short video “What is a Drone” excerpt from the DARTdrones Drones 101 course on the difference between the words “drone”, “UAV”, and “UAS”.

What is a Drone Transmitter?

The “transmitter” is the controller that the operator uses to operate the aircraft. It will typically have a left and right stick control with various other buttons and switches to control different functions. Some transmitters are programmable and assignments can be made to the sticks, buttons, and switches. One important setting is the transmitter “mode.” In the United States, mode 2 is the most common. This assigns the throttle and yaw control to the left stick, and pitch and roll to the right stick. Due to the nature of muscle memory, even a very experienced pilot may crash when the aircraft does not respond as expected if the mode is unknowingly changed to one they are not familiar with. Review your owners manual for specifics that apply to your transmitter operation and settings.

A set of decals for your transmitter can make remembering the controls easier. Photo by: DARTdrones Flight Instructor, M. Uleski

What is a Drone Flight Controller?

The Flight Controller is the brain of the drone. It can also sometimes be called an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The flight controller houses the sensitive gyroscopes, accelerometers, and barometric pressure sensors that the aircraft uses to maintain stable flight. They also may receive information from a GPS antenna,  compass sensor, and positioning sensors. The flight controller communicates with the receiver that takes commands from the operator using the transmitter. This allows the aircraft to respond to the operator’s input, but also to maintain stability by reacting to the provided sensor data. Some flight controllers have functions that can be programmed by the operator to change the flight behavior.

For additional information on basic flight controls, check out our short video tutorial here:

What do Drone Motors do?

Motors can either be brushed or brushless. Most larger drones will have brushless motors as they provide more power for their size and weight than brushed motors. Brushless motors last longer as they do not have brushes that cause friction and wear out. Brushless motors also respond faster to both operator and flight controller inputs, providing for a more stable drone.

What is a UAS Electronic Speed Controller (ESC)?

ESCs are found on drones with brushless motors. The ESC sends a signal from the flight controller to the motors to control the speed that they turn. This signal may come from either the flight controller sensors, operator input, or a combination of both. ESC’s do get warm during operation so it is very important to make sure the cooling vents on your drone remain clear of debris. A hot ESC is an unhappy ESC that can fail while in flight.

What do sUAS Propellers do?

Multirotors use a combination of propellers that are designed to rotate in opposite directions. Typically the motors will only allow the correct rotation propeller to be installed. But be familiar with the direction that each motor is supposed to turn in the event of a manufacturing defect. If the motor and propeller are correct they are designed to be self tightening. If the propeller is not a quick-connect type, hand tighten only until snug, unless the manufacturer suggests something different. Also use only the propellers that are recommended by the manufacturer. Aftermarket propellers may be available and offer different performance, but a propeller that is not appropriate for your drone can cause a motor or ESC to overheat and fail. Always check your propellers for cracks, nicks, bends, or stress marks prior to installing them on the aircraft. If a propeller is questionable, replace it immediately.

What is a Drone Camera and Gimbal?

Most drones today are designed to carry a camera. For more serious photography and videography, the camera is attached to a stabilizing gimbal mount. Gimbals can be designed as having one, two, or three axes of stabilization. The gimbal is composed of two parts, one is attached directly to the aircraft. This is usually two plates with rubber isolators that reduces vibration from the aircraft itself. The second part is comprised of the brushless motors that are controlled by gyroscopes and accelerometers, similar to those found with the flight controller. The gimbal motors use these sensors to keep the camera in a fixed position, even when the aircraft is maneuvering. The gimbal and camera are precisely balanced and can be fragile, care should be taken to protect them while traveling, or during takeoff and landing.

How Long Can a Drone Fly?

Most batteries for today’s drones will be lithium polymer, or more commonly called a “LIPO.” These batteries have a very high energy density for their weight. You will hear several terms used with batteries including the cell number, capacity, and “C rating.” The cell number designates the voltage. A single LIPO cell is 3.7 volts and will be designated as a 1S battery. A 2S battery will be 7.4 volts, 3S 11.8 volts, and so on. The battery capacity is expressed in milliamp hour (mah), such as 3000 mah. The larger the number, the more capacity, or “fuel”, the battery has available. The “C rating” designates how fast the battery can discharge. This is important as making a battery discharge beyond its ability causes an extreme amount of heat and can damage the battery or your drone. Be familiar with the battery that your drone requires. For ease of use, most companies have developed proprietary batteries that will only fit in a few specific models. Always inspect your battery for damage and puffing prior to use and only recharge using the manufacturers recommended charging equipment.

What is a Drone Firmware Update?

Last, but not least, is the firmware for your drone. Some drones allow the operator to update the firmware that the drone uses when the manufacturer releases a new version. The new firmware may fix issues with the previous version, make improvements, and add additional features to the drone. If the manufacturer of your drone releases firmware updates make sure that they are uploaded and your drone is current prior to flying.

For more on Key Terms to know to learn how to fly a drone, check out this DARTdrones short video:

Now you have an idea of the basic components of your drone. Be sure to review the owner’s manual for additional information and recommendations for the make and model that you are going to fly. We hoped this article helped the next time someone asks you “What is a Drone?”

About the Author

Mike Uleski is a DARTdrones Flight Instructor based out of Daytona Beach, Florida. Michael has been an aviation enthusiast from a very young age. He earned his private pilot’s license before graduating high school at the age of 18. Michael continued his education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Sciences, and a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for instrument flight, single engine, and multi-engine aircraft. He enjoyed working in the aviation industry for 7 years as a research and development project manager, designing products for aftermarket aircraft upgrades. He has extensive experience, both flying and maintaining, general and business aviation aircraft. Additionally, he has over 17 years of experience building and flying remote controlled aircraft, including fixed wing, helicopters, and multi-rotors. Currently, Michael is a patrol division Sergeant with a public safety department in the Daytona Beach area, and is cross trained as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, and EMT. He is very enthusiastic about the development of UAS technology and future uses for public safety.

About DARTdrones

DARTdrones is the national leader in drone training with the best flight instructors in the industry. We offer classes both online and in-person throughout the country. All of our flight instructors are manned aircraft pilots and certified drone pilots. Our team of experts include FAA Certified Flight Instructors, military veterans, Blackhawk helicopter pilots, commercial airline pilots, and a curriculum developer of one of the Navy’s drone programs. Our classes include:

• Part 107 Test Prep – Learn to pass the FAA’s Part 107 Airman Knowledge Exam with our in-person or online Part 107 Test Prep Course.
• Drone Pilot Training – Learn to fly your DJI Phantom or Inspire in this hands on flight training class.
• Starting a Drone Business Under Part 107 –  Learn the ins and outs of starting your own drone business including Developing Your Drone Business Strategy, Finding Customers, Business Operations, Legal Considerations and Liabilities, and Drone Insurance.
• Custom Training – Our expert can come to your group for custom training. We train corporate groups, small team, police departments, fire departments, and government entities.

The post What is a Drone Made of? Drone Anatomy Basics appeared first on DARTdrones.