5 Drone Mistakes Beginners Make

5 Drone Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Avoid Them Under UK Drone Laws)

In this blog, we’ll outline the five most common mistakes new drone pilots make when starting out.

Flying a drone, whether professionally or as a hobby, can be straightforward once you know the basics. However, many important techniques and considerations might not occur to a beginner.

We always recommend that new pilots familiarise themselves with the relevant laws and industry standards before flying. Alternatively, you can consult a company like ours, and we’ll be happy to provide guidance.

Below, we highlight five common mistakes new pilots make, helping you fly with greater confidence and caution.

Understanding the difference between VFR and IFR

If a flight is conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), we will be flying according to VFR guidelines. Conversely, if the flight is performed under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), we will be flying under IFR protocols.

VFR: Visual Flight Rules involve flying without reliance on flight instruments. Instead, pilots navigate by looking out the window and using ground references to travel from one point to another. VFR requires sufficient visibility (minimums specified in regulations) and airspace that permits such operations.

IFR: Instrument Flight Rules involve navigating primarily with the aircraft’s flight instruments. Under IFR, pilots rely on cockpit instruments rather than external visual references. For instance, during a flight through clouds with no visibility or over the sea without landmarks, navigation is possible only through instruments.

For drone operators, flights are typically considered to be conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).

1: Not Confirming Permission to Fly

Before you launch and land your drone, you need to have clearance to fly. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) controls the national airspace which is split into three main categories: 

Uncontrolled airspace: Here you don’t need special permission or authorization, although basic drone rules and regulations still apply. 

Controlled airspace: Typically, these areas are near airports or zones where there is a lot of air traffic. Here you need to request Low Altitude Authority and Notification Capability (LAANC) authorisation. To do this, simply download the LAANC app to get approval. Remember it is important to state if you’re flying the drone recreationally or commercially. 

Restricted airspace: This is the most heavily regulated type of airspace. Usually, this is due to the protection of classified areas like government buildings or military buildings.

2: Playing Battery Roulette

It’s important to finish your flight with battery power to spare, instead of waiting till the last few per cent to try and land. 

With drone flying, no matter how skilled you are, there are many unpredictable factors. To prevent damage to your drone, hurting those around you or damaging property, make sure to land when you have roughly 25% battery life left. 

It is also detrimental to your drone to run the battery life into the ground. We constantly do this with our phones and other technology, but it is very damaging to the quality of your drone battery.

3: Flying Out Of Sight

It’s never a good idea to fly your drone out of your line of sight. It's dangerous and against the rules in most countries. Just because you have a camera on your drone doesn't mean that you can see its surroundings.  

Judging distances and seeing things like power lines are extremely difficult too. Also if you can see it there's less chance of your radio signal being lost.

4: Flying Backwards Using FPV (First Person View)

Whilst this technique can produce some amazing shots, there’s a danger that your eyes can become glued to the monitor, meaning you can’t see what your drone is heading towards. Many crashes happen this way, so keep switching your gaze between monitor and craft.

5: Flying Your Drone Before Registering It

It is a common misconception that you do not need to register your drone unless you are flying for commercial purposes. The only question you need to ask yourself to determine whether or not you need to register your drone is: does it weigh 250g or more?

Once you receive your Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) registration number, you must display it on a visible, outside surface of your drone. 

Rules and Regulations Change

It is important to note that these are just a few common mistakes we’ve noticed as a retailer in the industry. There are always points to familiarise yourself with as a drone operator, and it is your responsibility to stay up to date with the changes in rules and regulations. 

If you’re ever unsure of the rules and regulations, or you’re looking for clarification before taking flight, please seek advice from our team or a similar corporation in the drone industry.