Drone Safety Week Kicks Off!
Starting this week, November 4th through the 10th, is the first ever national drone safety awareness week. This weeklong event is put on to help drone enthusiasts and public come together and learn more about the safe operation of drones. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in drones to learn more about their operation, and how to be safe when flying them.
The week kicks off with FAA sponsored events in Las Vegas. The FAA will be partnering for the event with the Know Before You Fly educational campaign, and the UAS Safety Team to help spread information about safe drone operation. They’ll be putting on various events that are sure to be of interest to all drone enthusiasts, and also anyone looking to get into the hobby.
In the spirit of the week, here’s a few quick drone safety tips:
Register Your Drone: If your drone is over .55 grams then you must register it with the FAA. Failure to do so could result in a fine, so it’s important to not skip this step.
Read The Manual: It always pays to take some time and go over the manual. In it you’ll find how to pilot your drone, and any tips the maker things will help you fly safer. It will also give you a breakdown of all the pieces and what they’re used for; very important for first time fliers.
Take It Slow: Especially if it’s your first time flying, take it slow and ease yourself into it. Many accidents happen when pilots try maneuvers above their skill level too quickly. Many drones come with ease of flight features such as GPS control, using these is a great way to make the initial flights easier and safer.
Learn The Controls: Having a strong grasp of the controls is key to being able to operate a drone safely. Every new flier should take some time to learn each of the controls, and get comfortable flying before trying any advanced maneuvers. It’s also a good idea to understand all the advanced features a drone has to offer like GPS flight or one touch landing and takeoff.
Stay Away From Public Places: As a beginner, you’re much less likely to cause any harm by staying away from places with a lot of people. Some places, like national parks, even have a ban on drone operation so keep that in mind as well. In general, it’s best to fly in a more secluded location until you’re extremely comfortable with the controls.
Pay Attention When In Flight: This may seem like common sense, but most accidents with drones happen by distracted pilots. Make sure to give the drone your complete focus when in flight and you’ll greatly reduce the odds of a crash.
Know The Laws: Lastly, it’s important to understand all the laws when flying your drone. These can differ from state to state and even be different from city to city. There are also some blanket areas around the country where drone flying is prohibited. It’s certainly wise to spend a bit of time to make sure you’re following all applicable regulations where you live. Also, be aware that the laws can and do change. Drones are going through rapid adoption in a variety of fields in the US, so it’s likely over the next few years we’ll see lots of new drone legislation.
Drone Safety Awareness week kicks off this week, and is sure to bring lots of information fun to drone enthusiasts around the country. For more details, check out their website at: https://go.usa.gov/xpx6F.
Kennedy Martinez
kennedy@dronethusiast.comKennedy Martinez is a resident writer who joined Dronethusiast at the beginning of 2019. She has years of experience reviewing drones and other tech products. When it comes to flying drones, Kennedy loves the ability to create artistic videos from a unique point of view. Kennedy enjoys researching new drones and other exciting products that are available to consumers which is why she is committed to creating the best buyer's guides for our readers.
