Which drone for which use?
For the pleasure of piloting a flying machine, capturing beautiful aerial shots or filming your adventures, the drone has become one of the most exciting radio-controlled vehicles of the moment. Many amateurs have already taken the plunge and have their own personal drone, especially since it is possible today to find a good model at a reasonable price.
Leisure drones are divisible into two main categories: large quadcopters with integrated camera , the choice of amateur filmmakers, and small models without camera, much more mobile which allows more pleasure-oriented piloting. The first are capable of capturing breathtaking images, they are often sold with a separate radio control, the others are cheaper toy drones and can be controlled directly via the smartphone.
The cost of a model with a camera can vary greatly; for beginners a standard camera will suffice but video professionals will prefer an HD camera that is often more expensive but which benefits from exceptional image quality. Among toy drones, there is a separate category: racing drones or RC drones . These particularly appeal to speed enthusiasts thanks to their high performance.
Before choosing your first drone, it is therefore important to ask yourself what you want to do with it and what your budget is. Those who want to fly a small machine in the living room and garden will prefer a drone without a camera, outdoor enthusiasts who want to capture beautiful images of their adventures will turn to drones with an on-board camera.
The different types of drones
When you go looking to buy a drone, you will realize that not all of them are ready to fly. There are different acronyms to tell you what the drone contains: RTF, BNF, ARF and FPV.
RTF drones for “Ready-To-Fly”
RTF quadcopters are ready to fly, they do not require any special assembly or configuration. The operations to be carried out are simple: charge the battery, install the propellers or synchronize the radio control with the drone. It is the best choice for beginners in model aircraft .
BNF or “Bind-And-Fly” drones
BNF quadcopters are generally already assembled but sold without radio control . To control the drone, you can use a radio remote control that you already own (provided it is compatible) or purchase one separately. Please note, a transmitter and a receiver that operate on the same frequency does not mean that they will be compatible: you must also check that they follow the same manufacturing protocol.
ARF or “Almost-ready-to-fly” drones
ARF quadcopters are sold as a kit and require partial assembly. If you see this acronym next to the name, read the description carefully as they may be sold without motors etc. It is the ideal choice for experienced pilots who want to personalize their drone.
FPV or “First-person view” drones
FPV quadcopters have a camera located on the front that transmits real-time video to the pilot via a smartphone, a screen on the remote control or FPV goggles. FPV drones therefore offer immersive flight and a surprisingly realistic piloting experience. To have an even stronger experience we recommend using FPV goggles .
Characteristics to take into account
Flight duration
The flight time of drones depends on the capacity of the battery, the weight of the machine, the aerodynamics of the structure, your way of piloting but also the climatic conditions. This parameter is often indicated by manufacturers and corresponds to the maximum flight time under the best test conditions. Most models have a battery life of no more than 30 minutes. We advise you to bring a spare battery which will double the flight time of your device.
Brushless or Coreless motor?
The brushless motor is often installed on large quadcopters and offers long life, quieter operation and powerful thrust. The Coreless motor is lighter and smaller, and is often found on mini quadcopters .
Camera resolution
For drones equipped with a camera , it is important to ask the question of resolution. Indeed, an HD camera offers magnificent shots but is much more expensive. There are also models that offer a special attachment for filming with your own camera.
Headless mode
Intended for beginners, headless mode makes it easier to pilot the drone, which will always move forward, backward, left or right regardless of the orientation of the nose of the device.
Integrated GPS
High-end drone models offer advanced features thanks to an onboard GPS such as RTH or "Return-to-home" (safety device to return the drone autonomously to its pilot), or Follow me (the drone tracks your movements without any action on your part, allowing you to concentrate on your activities).
Regulations around drones
The object of many fantasies, the drone is sometimes talked about in the media: flights over prohibited areas, collisions, etc. As a drone pilot and in order to avoid problems, it is important to find out about the aviation safety rules in force and to respect the following rules of good conduct:
- Do not fly over people, propellers can be dangerous.
- Respect the maximum flight height of 150 meters.
- Maintain visual contact with your drone and never fly at night.
- Do not fly your drone in town, near a place intended for aviation (airport, aerodrome, etc.) or a sensitive or protected site (military base, nuclear power plant, etc.)
- Respect the privacy of others by not filming people without their knowledge.
- Ask for permission from the people who appear in your video before publishing it.
The DGAC (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) also offers a short video which reminds the basic rules to respect, summarized in ten rules:
