Drones are a fantastic invention. They may look like expensive toys to many people, but they are in fact a very sophisticated tool that will come in very useful in a number of businesses.
With this in mind, it may well be worth investing in a drone and operating a number of different services using the equipment. You may find that you are in hot demand.
Why Get A Drone?
Drones are stable and manoeuvrable. Given the fact that they usually have four sets of rotor blades, this keeps them flat in the air. A change in the rotational speed of each of the rotors will change the direction that the craft will move in. Applying equal thrust to all rotors will mean that the drone will hover perfectly without being propelled in any direction.
Helicopters, on the other hand, will have two different sets of rotors and will rely on changing the pitch or angle of the main rotors to drive it forwards. The real propeller is angled vertically and is used to change the direction that the copter is facing. RC helicopters can be a tricker to fly and they don’t always fare as well at keeping perfectly still.
Therefore, drones, with their ease of use and stability, are ideal for having a camera on or, even for using to lift small items. It is for this reason that they have become very popular amongst a number of different businesses.
What Are The Laws Regarding Drones?
You will probably have heard many people raising concerns about the use of drone technology. Many people see them as an invasion of privacy as they could be used for spying. There have been other problems that have arisen from the use of drones such as the risk to airline safety if they are flown too close to planes or airports. Gatwick airport in London has had all of its flights grounded as a precaution after drones were spotted within the vicinity of the airport.
If you are buying a drone, you will need to adhere to the guidelines in your local area as laws will vary click here to see the full list at Dronesvilla.
You may be required to get a license to be able to fly your drone, so you should find out about this before purchasing anything. You should be conscious about flying it in any built-up areas too, regardless of the local legalities of this matter, consider doing this out of respect for the people living nearby.
Drones In Surveying
A very good use for drones would be surveying. Drones offer a very cost-effective way of viewing a greater area. Getting up high above will allow the opportunity to see a broader area. Ariel-photography is useful for land developers who need to create plans for managing large construction projects. Using a drone is much cheaper and easier than sending someone up in a plane of a helicopter.
Farming
Farmers who own a great deal of land may find drones useful for a number of purposes. If there is a remote field that you need to look in on, using a drone is a great way of doing that. They can be used to check for irrigation issues, problems with crops, look for missing animals, and they can be used for helping to check on crop growth.
Wedding Photography
One surprising use of drones has to be their use in wedding photography. With large group photos, drones can be helpful in achieving great angles. They may at times be able to provide a much wider shot that a well-positioned photographer. For beautiful couples shots where the couple lay on the ground, drones offer an easy way to get above them. If a couple is getting married in a beautiful, picturesque venue that makes use of the scenery around, then using a drone can enhance the photos and really capture more of the landscape. Of course, they could also create some beautiful video footage too that would really enhance any wedding video.
Delivery Drones
Amazon is currently in the late stages of developing their Prime Air system which will see small items delivered by unmanned drones to your home within thirty minutes of placing the order. While Amazon is obviously a multi-billion dollar company and has the means to develop such a service, it shows that there is the capability for this to become mainstream within the next few years. As technology develops, costs often drop and this may be an industry that many people start to open up to.
Commercial Photography And Film Making
Of course, one area that makes great use of drone technology is commercial photography and film making. It is certainly possible to make a good living with a good drone equipped with an excellent camera. Businesses often want ariel photography or videos for promotional material and in adverts, and film directors love a good establishing shot that takes in a wide landscape. Ariel photography offers rich possibilities for all of these things, and if you can develop your skills as a photographer and a drone pilot, you may find a lucrative market here.
Developing Your Skills
Of course, if you have never flown a drone in your life, then it can be a bit scary to just take your brand new drone up into the sky. With some drones costing a considerable sum of money, you may be scared of breaking them on your inaugural flight. And, you would be right to be worried about doing that. While drone technology is evolved and makes it as easy as possible for the pilot to safely fly a drone, you should be aware that it does take a degree of skills. In much the same way as you should learn to drive a car before you take to the roads alone, flying your new drone should be done with careful learning and practise.
One option available to you would be to buy a cheaper model to get used to flying first. There are a good many hobby models available, and while they will be a good degree simpler with far fewer features. But, they will give you some experience of flying, and if you crash your cheaper model, then the cost will not be as great.
You could also see if there are any drone instructors near you that can help you to safely learn all of the ins and outs of flying yours.
Buying Your Drone
There are a number of considerations that you should factor when buying your drone. Firstly, you should find out about all of the onboard features. Look into the drones GPS features and find out the range that it will work at. Some will work to a few hundred metres, while others can fly up a couple of kilometres away. Make sure you match the distance to the purpose of the drone.
The maximum flight time is important. Drones can only carry a small battery on them, but they need a lot of power. Rechargeable cells will generally only carry around twenty to thirty minutes worth of power. Having several spare batteries will be vital if you plan on using the drone professionally.
Obviously, the camera is crucial if you are primarily interested in taking professional standard images. If the onboard camera does not meet your needs, can this be swapped for a better one?
The other major factor is going to be spare parts. If you crack a blade or take a dive, are there freely available replacement parts?
