From c95858763b9e3de32a1b1c7e43499e6231a6fb96 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: luxagraf Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2016 12:06:24 -0500 Subject: moved published articles to archive --- drone-article.txt | 32 --------------- drone-notes.txt | 89 ------------------------------------------ published/drone-article.txt | 32 +++++++++++++++ published/drone-notes.txt | 89 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ published/whattododrone-v2.txt | 42 ++++++++++++++++++++ whattododrone-v2.txt | 42 -------------------- 6 files changed, 163 insertions(+), 163 deletions(-) delete mode 100644 drone-article.txt delete mode 100644 drone-notes.txt create mode 100644 published/drone-article.txt create mode 100644 published/drone-notes.txt create mode 100644 published/whattododrone-v2.txt delete mode 100644 whattododrone-v2.txt diff --git a/drone-article.txt b/drone-article.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f2d3126..0000000 --- a/drone-article.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,32 +0,0 @@ -Amazon and Google are planning to use drones for deliveries in the surprisingly near future. If that still sounds like science fiction to you, consider this -- aside from regulatory permission -- there's nothing stopping anyone else from doing the same. - -Which is to say that the startlingly fast technological progression of consumer drones has already very nearly made it possible for your local coffee shop to send a drone to drop a latte off on your third floor windowsill. - -As we [predicted](http://www.wired.com/2015/01/autopilot-tech-total-game-changer-drones/), the last year has seen an explosion of automation tools and software upgrades for all kinds of drones, most centered around automating various aspects of drone flight. We've seen waypoint and point-of-interest based navigation from DJI, which allow [Phantom]() owners to program flight paths with the flick of a finger across a map. Figure out how to attach a latte payload and you're not far off a drone deliver coffee shop. - -Other drone makers like Yuneec have been busy creating both software and hardware aimed at making it easy to have a drone tag along behind you, which means we're probably not far off Justin.tv, the drone edition. I had the opportunity to play around with Yuneec's Typhoon Wizard -- basically a remote control for "follow me" flights that ditches the more complicated video interface for a control that's considerably slimmer and less conspicuous -- and found that it isn't that hard to wander around with a drone 350 feet above you recording your every move. - -At this point there are two obstacles to both drone delivery services and ubiquitous clouds of drones in the skies above us -- battery life and the risk of collisions. - -As good as some of the waypoints tools and following software is, from what I've tested none of it is capable of replacing the pilot just yet. That drone headed for your windowsill is far more likely to smash your window than gracefully set down a cup of hot coffee. Still, just a few years ago it was impossible to get your hands on a drone, let alone program one to fly where you want it. - -While the dream of a delivery drone for every business will likely be crushed by government regulations, if the current pace of innovation continues, the technology will be there very soon. - -That's great news for professionals working with drones. Frank Kivo, a videographer with [Concierge Auctions](http://www.conciergeauctions.com/), which frequently uses drones for real estate photography and video, tells Wired that "these automated and new system implementations are extremely helpful and useful, depending on the industry you're working in". Kivo's work sometimes involves filming large parcels of land, which can be automated by programing in waypoints ahead of time. Waypoints can also be useful for even larger scale land surveys such as scouting oil rig locations, data transfer (like retrieving images from a remote wildlife cam) and even search and rescue efforts. - -Others are less sold on the automation. Mike Lord of [Barrelman Productions](http://www.barrelmanproductions.com/) tells Wired that, for photography at least, "nothing is ever going to be able to tell you what things looks like when you're up there, so you don't know what the interesting shot is going to be until you're actually flying." - -That's something Kivo echoes, saying, "The one downside of automation is you cannot teach automation emotion... there is no way to teach a waypoint system to capture the beautiful sun flares that come into the camera for that split second." - -"You need to know," he adds, "when to break out of the automated flight system." - -Lord praised some of DJI's new automated systems for striking the right balance between automating and leaving the pilot in control, like the new point-of-interest feature and the course lock feature, which holds the current flight path. With the point-of-interest feature Lord says it's easy to "fly up and away while circling and shooting photos, which previously would have required a second person to do well." - -Both Kivo and Lord were most enthusiastic about the various avoidance detection systems being developed. "I can't stress enough how much avoidance detection is a huge plus," says Kivo who had the opportunity to test the collision avoidance system in Monster-X's heavyweight drone in the Bahamas. "With a tropical storm forming, we were constantly getting blown around and with a common consumer drone, we would have lost it, I'm sure." - -While lightweight Phantoms may never hold up in tropical storm winds, a collision avoidance system would at least keep them away from the palm trees. As it stands, most automation still requires the oversight of a skilled pilot. - -For Lord, that's the way it should be. "the fun is flying ... and you're always going to be more adaptive and smarter than a series of waypoints." - -Indeed for many, perhaps even most, the main appeal of drones is the actual flying. It does take practice to get good, and collision detection systems could help take some of the potential bank-breaking risk out of learning, but ultimately flying a drone is fun and trying to automate it all away is solving a problem that doesn't exist. As Lord told me, "I want things that give me more control and make the drone more responsive to my input, I don't want to just send a robot up in the sky." - diff --git a/drone-notes.txt b/drone-notes.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 6a97955..0000000 --- a/drone-notes.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,89 +0,0 @@ - - - - - -In a parallel universe there's a version of this piece that uses pot delivery as it's example. - - -When I was kid we had to go to people's houses to buy our drugs. Like animals. - -has the same idea. Prices are dropping and more and more variety of models are coming onto the market. Drones that fit in your palm? Check. With cameras? Check. Drones that follow you down the slopes? Check. Drones that can fly circle interesting things - - - -Mike Lord quotes: -It depends on what you're trying to do... flying is an important part of composing shots - - - -waypoints -- set waypoints and then go back, smoother flying between points, - -allows you to pan the camera while the drone does the flying (course lock -- point the drone in a direction and it stays in that direction, gives you the ability to have a continues tracking shot, while you manipulate the camera to keep an object in the center, i.e. flying by a property) - -I don't feel comfortable having so little control. As a photographer I don't see any advantage to not being able to see what you're doing. All of this just trying to cut corners when you're trying to learn to fly a drone. Just go out and practice and learn how to fly your drone. - -Point of interest stuff is cool, you can fly up and away while circling. - -To get the highest quality shots you're always going to want one pilot and one photographer. - -Solving problems that don't exist. - -The course line and course lock allow me to do things that I could not do before. - -evolve the follow me feature, something with a wristband perhaps. If you're snowboarding you don't want to carry anything. - -Collision avoidance and situational self awareness. Avoiding crashing is still the hardest part of flying and none of the automation so far addresses that. One of the most fun parts is flying it and you;re always going to be more adaptive and smarter than a series of waypoints. - - ----- - -Frank Kivo quotes - - - -I actually had a chance to get out with Lance Knowles and George Mosko of Monster-X to try out their new avoidance detection system in the Bahamas. It was so helpful. With a tropical storm forming, we were constantly getting blown around and with a common consumer drone, we would have lost it, I'm sure. - - - -Waypoint automation is extremely helpful for covering large parcels of land. When we take on properties of 300-600 acres, it would be a blessing to plan a flight path ahead of time. This would help us get our survey shots in and also use these to plan our more intimate shots, which we will either gather on the ground, or with tighter flying with a drone. - -I think these automated and new system implementations are extremely helpful and useful, depending on the industry you’re working in. I know that many folks in the oil and energies industries have hired full-time drone operators to survey and secure large pieces of land they may have a well on. These operators solely rely on waypoints and geographical data to make their surveys. - -The follow me system, to me, is sort of a biography tool; only useful in high octane sport activities or for an overkill "selfie." In a professional filmmaker tool kit, it doesn't make sense. We stay behind the camera, we don't have it follow us. - -The one downside of automation is you cannot teach automation emotion. There is no way to teach a waypoint system to capture the beautiful sun flares that come into camera for that split second. You need to be able to know when to break out of the automated flight system, capture what you need, and then have the ability to resume your flight path. That would be a very cool feature implementation. - ------ - -I asked about sending the drone back, and she comes at me with this. What -do you think? It is interesting, or do you just want it out of your life? - -If you do want to look at it, I don't think there's necessarily a review -in it. But maybe a trend story? Something about how much easier flying is, -where you just press a button? I dunno, maybe that's old news. But with -Parrot's push-button take-off/landing, 3DR Solo's "follow me," and now -this feature, it seems like this is all moving quickly toward total -automation. It might be pushing it to try to make a news story out of it. -But I dunno, you know all this stuff better than me. Is that old news? - -You can also say yes to the add-on, try it out and use it for your -business, then I tell them that you don't want to write about it. - -But maybe it won't fit in the hippie-van. - - - -Great, I'll ask her to ship it to Holman Ave. - -Maybe that's the trend story: the next big step in drone tech is obstacle -detection. You just need 2 or 3 interviews with people who have skin in -the game, and you can write a tidy story about the challenges the experts -are dealing with. - -I know it's not the type of thing you were super-stoked on before you -started just doing reviews, but it's an easy one. We did this in January, -but maybe there's new news and we could provide an update: -http://www.wired.com/2015/01/autopilot-tech-total-game-changer-drones/ - -Anyway, I bet you'll think of better ideas after you fly this! diff --git a/published/drone-article.txt b/published/drone-article.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f2d3126 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/drone-article.txt @@ -0,0 +1,32 @@ +Amazon and Google are planning to use drones for deliveries in the surprisingly near future. If that still sounds like science fiction to you, consider this -- aside from regulatory permission -- there's nothing stopping anyone else from doing the same. + +Which is to say that the startlingly fast technological progression of consumer drones has already very nearly made it possible for your local coffee shop to send a drone to drop a latte off on your third floor windowsill. + +As we [predicted](http://www.wired.com/2015/01/autopilot-tech-total-game-changer-drones/), the last year has seen an explosion of automation tools and software upgrades for all kinds of drones, most centered around automating various aspects of drone flight. We've seen waypoint and point-of-interest based navigation from DJI, which allow [Phantom]() owners to program flight paths with the flick of a finger across a map. Figure out how to attach a latte payload and you're not far off a drone deliver coffee shop. + +Other drone makers like Yuneec have been busy creating both software and hardware aimed at making it easy to have a drone tag along behind you, which means we're probably not far off Justin.tv, the drone edition. I had the opportunity to play around with Yuneec's Typhoon Wizard -- basically a remote control for "follow me" flights that ditches the more complicated video interface for a control that's considerably slimmer and less conspicuous -- and found that it isn't that hard to wander around with a drone 350 feet above you recording your every move. + +At this point there are two obstacles to both drone delivery services and ubiquitous clouds of drones in the skies above us -- battery life and the risk of collisions. + +As good as some of the waypoints tools and following software is, from what I've tested none of it is capable of replacing the pilot just yet. That drone headed for your windowsill is far more likely to smash your window than gracefully set down a cup of hot coffee. Still, just a few years ago it was impossible to get your hands on a drone, let alone program one to fly where you want it. + +While the dream of a delivery drone for every business will likely be crushed by government regulations, if the current pace of innovation continues, the technology will be there very soon. + +That's great news for professionals working with drones. Frank Kivo, a videographer with [Concierge Auctions](http://www.conciergeauctions.com/), which frequently uses drones for real estate photography and video, tells Wired that "these automated and new system implementations are extremely helpful and useful, depending on the industry you're working in". Kivo's work sometimes involves filming large parcels of land, which can be automated by programing in waypoints ahead of time. Waypoints can also be useful for even larger scale land surveys such as scouting oil rig locations, data transfer (like retrieving images from a remote wildlife cam) and even search and rescue efforts. + +Others are less sold on the automation. Mike Lord of [Barrelman Productions](http://www.barrelmanproductions.com/) tells Wired that, for photography at least, "nothing is ever going to be able to tell you what things looks like when you're up there, so you don't know what the interesting shot is going to be until you're actually flying." + +That's something Kivo echoes, saying, "The one downside of automation is you cannot teach automation emotion... there is no way to teach a waypoint system to capture the beautiful sun flares that come into the camera for that split second." + +"You need to know," he adds, "when to break out of the automated flight system." + +Lord praised some of DJI's new automated systems for striking the right balance between automating and leaving the pilot in control, like the new point-of-interest feature and the course lock feature, which holds the current flight path. With the point-of-interest feature Lord says it's easy to "fly up and away while circling and shooting photos, which previously would have required a second person to do well." + +Both Kivo and Lord were most enthusiastic about the various avoidance detection systems being developed. "I can't stress enough how much avoidance detection is a huge plus," says Kivo who had the opportunity to test the collision avoidance system in Monster-X's heavyweight drone in the Bahamas. "With a tropical storm forming, we were constantly getting blown around and with a common consumer drone, we would have lost it, I'm sure." + +While lightweight Phantoms may never hold up in tropical storm winds, a collision avoidance system would at least keep them away from the palm trees. As it stands, most automation still requires the oversight of a skilled pilot. + +For Lord, that's the way it should be. "the fun is flying ... and you're always going to be more adaptive and smarter than a series of waypoints." + +Indeed for many, perhaps even most, the main appeal of drones is the actual flying. It does take practice to get good, and collision detection systems could help take some of the potential bank-breaking risk out of learning, but ultimately flying a drone is fun and trying to automate it all away is solving a problem that doesn't exist. As Lord told me, "I want things that give me more control and make the drone more responsive to my input, I don't want to just send a robot up in the sky." + diff --git a/published/drone-notes.txt b/published/drone-notes.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6a97955 --- /dev/null +++ b/published/drone-notes.txt @@ -0,0 +1,89 @@ + + + + + +In a parallel universe there's a version of this piece that uses pot delivery as it's example. + + +When I was kid we had to go to people's houses to buy our drugs. Like animals. + +has the same idea. Prices are dropping and more and more variety of models are coming onto the market. Drones that fit in your palm? Check. With cameras? Check. Drones that follow you down the slopes? Check. Drones that can fly circle interesting things + + + +Mike Lord quotes: +It depends on what you're trying to do... flying is an important part of composing shots + + + +waypoints -- set waypoints and then go back, smoother flying between points, + +allows you to pan the camera while the drone does the flying (course lock -- point the drone in a direction and it stays in that direction, gives you the ability to have a continues tracking shot, while you manipulate the camera to keep an object in the center, i.e. flying by a property) + +I don't feel comfortable having so little control. As a photographer I don't see any advantage to not being able to see what you're doing. All of this just trying to cut corners when you're trying to learn to fly a drone. Just go out and practice and learn how to fly your drone. + +Point of interest stuff is cool, you can fly up and away while circling. + +To get the highest quality shots you're always going to want one pilot and one photographer. + +Solving problems that don't exist. + +The course line and course lock allow me to do things that I could not do before. + +evolve the follow me feature, something with a wristband perhaps. If you're snowboarding you don't want to carry anything. + +Collision avoidance and situational self awareness. Avoiding crashing is still the hardest part of flying and none of the automation so far addresses that. One of the most fun parts is flying it and you;re always going to be more adaptive and smarter than a series of waypoints. + + +---- + +Frank Kivo quotes + + + +I actually had a chance to get out with Lance Knowles and George Mosko of Monster-X to try out their new avoidance detection system in the Bahamas. It was so helpful. With a tropical storm forming, we were constantly getting blown around and with a common consumer drone, we would have lost it, I'm sure. + + + +Waypoint automation is extremely helpful for covering large parcels of land. When we take on properties of 300-600 acres, it would be a blessing to plan a flight path ahead of time. This would help us get our survey shots in and also use these to plan our more intimate shots, which we will either gather on the ground, or with tighter flying with a drone. + +I think these automated and new system implementations are extremely helpful and useful, depending on the industry you’re working in. I know that many folks in the oil and energies industries have hired full-time drone operators to survey and secure large pieces of land they may have a well on. These operators solely rely on waypoints and geographical data to make their surveys. + +The follow me system, to me, is sort of a biography tool; only useful in high octane sport activities or for an overkill "selfie." In a professional filmmaker tool kit, it doesn't make sense. We stay behind the camera, we don't have it follow us. + +The one downside of automation is you cannot teach automation emotion. There is no way to teach a waypoint system to capture the beautiful sun flares that come into camera for that split second. You need to be able to know when to break out of the automated flight system, capture what you need, and then have the ability to resume your flight path. That would be a very cool feature implementation. + +----- + +I asked about sending the drone back, and she comes at me with this. What +do you think? It is interesting, or do you just want it out of your life? + +If you do want to look at it, I don't think there's necessarily a review +in it. But maybe a trend story? Something about how much easier flying is, +where you just press a button? I dunno, maybe that's old news. But with +Parrot's push-button take-off/landing, 3DR Solo's "follow me," and now +this feature, it seems like this is all moving quickly toward total +automation. It might be pushing it to try to make a news story out of it. +But I dunno, you know all this stuff better than me. Is that old news? + +You can also say yes to the add-on, try it out and use it for your +business, then I tell them that you don't want to write about it. + +But maybe it won't fit in the hippie-van. + + + +Great, I'll ask her to ship it to Holman Ave. + +Maybe that's the trend story: the next big step in drone tech is obstacle +detection. You just need 2 or 3 interviews with people who have skin in +the game, and you can write a tidy story about the challenges the experts +are dealing with. + +I know it's not the type of thing you were super-stoked on before you +started just doing reviews, but it's an easy one. We did this in January, +but maybe there's new news and we could provide an update: +http://www.wired.com/2015/01/autopilot-tech-total-game-changer-drones/ + +Anyway, I bet you'll think of better ideas after you fly this! diff --git a/published/whattododrone-v2.txt b/published/whattododrone-v2.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4fdf3ec --- /dev/null +++ b/published/whattododrone-v2.txt @@ -0,0 +1,42 @@ +So you're one of the more than one million lucky souls the [FAA estimated][1] would get a drone this Christmas. Congratulations. Now What? + +With most consumer drones these days you could head straight out the door and have your new toy in the air in a matter of minutes. And your new toy would probably be in the air *only* a matter of minutes. If you'd prefer your first time flying a drone not to include close up shots of bark and large amounts of cursing we suggest taking a deep breath, slowing down and doing a few things before you send your drone up for the first time. + +First and foremost, rip into that plastic bag full of manuals, pull them out and actually Read The Manual. Seriously. Pay special attention to two items. First, memorize the button or sequence of buttons that initiates the drone's "return home" feature. This varies between manufacturers and models, but newer versions tend to have some kind of single button "oh crap" feature that will send the drone back to where it started. When you're first learning this will be your most used flight control. This is also a good place to suggest your consider joining the [Academy of Model Aeronautics][2] ($75), which, in addition to a magazine subscription, will get you some basic insurance coverage should you crash. + +The second most import part of the manual is the startup procedure. Some drones need the controller turned on first, some the drone. Whatever the case with your model, make sure you know the sequence so that your drone can acquire satellites for GPS features and connect to whatever wifi or flight control system it uses. + +Now that you know the basics the next step we recommend is updating the firmware. Even new drones often leave the factory without the latest updates. Depending on your make and model this might mean you get some new features. In most cases updating the firmware is just a matter of plugging the drone into your PC via a USB cable. Since the process varies by drone, check the manual or manufacturer's website for the precise firmware update method. + +Now you're ready for your first flight. Launch in an open, treeless area and head up a hundred feet or so right away. On most drones this means pushing the left control stick up for a few seconds. Then release and just sit there for a minute, keeping your eye on the drone. At this elevation you should be clear of any obstacles and still be able to keep a close eye on your drone. + +The first thing I would suggest is to work on getting a feel for the basic flight maneuvers: up, down, left and right. Pay special attention to how much the drone dips when you accelerate, with most models you'll likely find you want a bit of acceleration as you head forward to maintain a constant altitude. Try flying some basic maneuvers like a circling around in box, circle and figure 8. This will help you understand how fast your drone responds to your input. Every drone in different, but the common thread in my experience with half a dozen different models is that gentle, slow movements are the best, safest way to fly. + +At first your instinct will be to over-correct every time your drone is headed somewhere you don't want it to go. Unfortunately, over correcting is often as bad or worse than doing nothing at all. Take a deep breath and gently correct your flight errors rather than slamming the control in the opposite direction. + +Another key to safe, happy drone flying is to make sure you know where and how you can fly your new drone. + +Drone pilots do not have a stellar track record. It seems like hardly a day goes by without someone doing something stupid with a drone -- [interfering with firefighters][3], [buzzing][4] the Macy's Thanksgiving parade or [flying near aircraft][5]. + +It's no surprise restrictions on drones are tightening up. The FAA has [announced a plan to register and regulate drones][6], but local governments have already started to enact their own rules. + +One of the best places to learn how to fly is a large, open, tree-less area away from crowds. In most places that's usually a park or field of some kind. But many parks are starting to take a dim view of drones. For example, the parks and rec department where I live recently banned all use of drones in public parks. You best bet is to call your local parks department and ask, but here's a good rule of thumb for everything to do with flying a drone: when it doubt, don't do it. + +At the time of writing the FAA has announced that it will require drones to be registered, but it has not yet set up a system for registration. Still, it's worth at least looking over the FAA [guidelines for hobby craft][7]. The FAA's rules are hardly draconian and primarily reinforce what is hopefully common sense: don't interfere with other aircraft, don't fly near crowds of people, don't go over 400ft up, don't be reckless and so on. + +Drone makers have you covered on a couple of FAA rules, like the weight limit (no consumer drones weight anywhere near the 55lb max) and not flying near airports (most drones will not allow you to fly around airports). + +One FAA rule deserves extra attention: keep an eye on your drone at all times. Not only is this a rule, it's also the secret to avoiding that closeup of tree bark. + +When you first start out flying there's a lot to keep track of -- there's the drone's POV coming in on your controller, there's your fingers on the flight controls, the controls for starting video and taking pictures and of course there's your drone, actually up there in the air somewhere. Despite all these things going on, try to keep in mind that the most important part of controlling your drone is knowing where it is at all times. Keep your head on a swivel and never lose positional awareness. + +The last thing to remember when your drone is in the air is to relax. Remember: small corrections, slow movements and a cool head go a long way to making your drone a lot more fun. + + +[1]: http://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/drones/news/a17535/the-faa-is-terrified-that-1-million-drones-will-be-sold-this-christmas/ +[2]: http://www.modelaircraft.org/ +[3]: http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/07/02/drone-flying-too-close-to-wildfire-grounds-forest-service-planes/ +[4]: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/custody-flying-drone-macy-parade-article-1.2447782 +[5]: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-pilot-spots-drone-lax-20151015-story.html +[6]: http://www.wired.com/2015/10/the-feds-want-a-national-drone-registry-by-christmas/ +[7]: https://www.faa.gov/uas/model_aircraft/ diff --git a/whattododrone-v2.txt b/whattododrone-v2.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 4fdf3ec..0000000 --- a/whattododrone-v2.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,42 +0,0 @@ -So you're one of the more than one million lucky souls the [FAA estimated][1] would get a drone this Christmas. Congratulations. Now What? - -With most consumer drones these days you could head straight out the door and have your new toy in the air in a matter of minutes. And your new toy would probably be in the air *only* a matter of minutes. If you'd prefer your first time flying a drone not to include close up shots of bark and large amounts of cursing we suggest taking a deep breath, slowing down and doing a few things before you send your drone up for the first time. - -First and foremost, rip into that plastic bag full of manuals, pull them out and actually Read The Manual. Seriously. Pay special attention to two items. First, memorize the button or sequence of buttons that initiates the drone's "return home" feature. This varies between manufacturers and models, but newer versions tend to have some kind of single button "oh crap" feature that will send the drone back to where it started. When you're first learning this will be your most used flight control. This is also a good place to suggest your consider joining the [Academy of Model Aeronautics][2] ($75), which, in addition to a magazine subscription, will get you some basic insurance coverage should you crash. - -The second most import part of the manual is the startup procedure. Some drones need the controller turned on first, some the drone. Whatever the case with your model, make sure you know the sequence so that your drone can acquire satellites for GPS features and connect to whatever wifi or flight control system it uses. - -Now that you know the basics the next step we recommend is updating the firmware. Even new drones often leave the factory without the latest updates. Depending on your make and model this might mean you get some new features. In most cases updating the firmware is just a matter of plugging the drone into your PC via a USB cable. Since the process varies by drone, check the manual or manufacturer's website for the precise firmware update method. - -Now you're ready for your first flight. Launch in an open, treeless area and head up a hundred feet or so right away. On most drones this means pushing the left control stick up for a few seconds. Then release and just sit there for a minute, keeping your eye on the drone. At this elevation you should be clear of any obstacles and still be able to keep a close eye on your drone. - -The first thing I would suggest is to work on getting a feel for the basic flight maneuvers: up, down, left and right. Pay special attention to how much the drone dips when you accelerate, with most models you'll likely find you want a bit of acceleration as you head forward to maintain a constant altitude. Try flying some basic maneuvers like a circling around in box, circle and figure 8. This will help you understand how fast your drone responds to your input. Every drone in different, but the common thread in my experience with half a dozen different models is that gentle, slow movements are the best, safest way to fly. - -At first your instinct will be to over-correct every time your drone is headed somewhere you don't want it to go. Unfortunately, over correcting is often as bad or worse than doing nothing at all. Take a deep breath and gently correct your flight errors rather than slamming the control in the opposite direction. - -Another key to safe, happy drone flying is to make sure you know where and how you can fly your new drone. - -Drone pilots do not have a stellar track record. It seems like hardly a day goes by without someone doing something stupid with a drone -- [interfering with firefighters][3], [buzzing][4] the Macy's Thanksgiving parade or [flying near aircraft][5]. - -It's no surprise restrictions on drones are tightening up. The FAA has [announced a plan to register and regulate drones][6], but local governments have already started to enact their own rules. - -One of the best places to learn how to fly is a large, open, tree-less area away from crowds. In most places that's usually a park or field of some kind. But many parks are starting to take a dim view of drones. For example, the parks and rec department where I live recently banned all use of drones in public parks. You best bet is to call your local parks department and ask, but here's a good rule of thumb for everything to do with flying a drone: when it doubt, don't do it. - -At the time of writing the FAA has announced that it will require drones to be registered, but it has not yet set up a system for registration. Still, it's worth at least looking over the FAA [guidelines for hobby craft][7]. The FAA's rules are hardly draconian and primarily reinforce what is hopefully common sense: don't interfere with other aircraft, don't fly near crowds of people, don't go over 400ft up, don't be reckless and so on. - -Drone makers have you covered on a couple of FAA rules, like the weight limit (no consumer drones weight anywhere near the 55lb max) and not flying near airports (most drones will not allow you to fly around airports). - -One FAA rule deserves extra attention: keep an eye on your drone at all times. Not only is this a rule, it's also the secret to avoiding that closeup of tree bark. - -When you first start out flying there's a lot to keep track of -- there's the drone's POV coming in on your controller, there's your fingers on the flight controls, the controls for starting video and taking pictures and of course there's your drone, actually up there in the air somewhere. Despite all these things going on, try to keep in mind that the most important part of controlling your drone is knowing where it is at all times. Keep your head on a swivel and never lose positional awareness. - -The last thing to remember when your drone is in the air is to relax. Remember: small corrections, slow movements and a cool head go a long way to making your drone a lot more fun. - - -[1]: http://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/drones/news/a17535/the-faa-is-terrified-that-1-million-drones-will-be-sold-this-christmas/ -[2]: http://www.modelaircraft.org/ -[3]: http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/07/02/drone-flying-too-close-to-wildfire-grounds-forest-service-planes/ -[4]: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/custody-flying-drone-macy-parade-article-1.2447782 -[5]: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-pilot-spots-drone-lax-20151015-story.html -[6]: http://www.wired.com/2015/10/the-feds-want-a-national-drone-registry-by-christmas/ -[7]: https://www.faa.gov/uas/model_aircraft/ -- cgit v1.2.3-70-g09d2