A Beginner’s Guide to Flying Your Drone Without Crashing It
Safely take to the skies
By David Nield
So you’ve just purchased a shiny new drone. As soon as you register your high-tech device (required for fliers that weight anything from 0.55 to 55 pounds, which most consumer UAVs do), you’ll be ready to take to the skies. But wait — what if you crash and destroy your drone on its first outing? We’ve collected safe-flying tips from manufacturers and the Federal Aviation Administration, so you can avoid injuring bystanders or, more important, harming your expensive gadget itself.
Start slow
Let’s face it — nobody reads the manual. In fact, many gadgets no longer come with printed instructions. But when it comes to drones, you should read that guide to learn about the gadget’s controls before you take it for a spin. We know, it’s boring — think of the time spent as a sacrifice you’re making to ensure you don’t crash your expensive flying machine.
Once the drone’s features seem familiar, try a low-key first flight: Hover a few feet off the ground in an obstacle-free space like your backyard. This will give you an opportunity to become comfortable with the controls and settings before you head out to a more populated, distracting area like a public park.
