Flying a drone can be an exciting experience. Whether you are flying a drone for photography, surveying, mapping, or inspection, it opens the world to you from a completely new perspective.<\/p>\n
It may not always be the case, though. Even the most experienced of drone pilots can find themselves in unexpected positions during a flight. The weather can change, the battery can run out, the signal can get lost, or there can be unexpected obstructions in the drone\u2019s path.<\/p>\n
Knowing what to do about these situations before they arise can prepare a pilot for quick thinking and better judgement.<\/p>\n
At Tras Aviation, we believe that learning about real-world flight situations plays an important role in building fundamental knowledge. Let\u2019s take a look at a few of the common situations that can arise during a drone flight, and what pilots should take care of.<\/p>\n
Weather is one of the main influencing factors during a drone flight.<\/p>\n
A drone flight can start on a cloudless day, but the wind can pick up, the rain can start, or the fog can become too thick to see anything.<\/p>\n
Strong winds can make it hard for a drone to maintain its position, or to return to the takeoff point.<\/p>\n
Rain can also be a concern for a drone, as some are not certified to withstand inclement weather. Water can damage a drone and cause long-term issues.<\/p>\n
Pilots should always take into account the weather forecast or wind speed before launching, and if during a flight the conditions become unsafe, returning the drone to a safe landing area should be the first priority.<\/p>\n
Battery failures are also a concern for drone pilots.<\/p>\n
Sometimes during a flight, a pilot can be so caught up in getting perfect photographs, or doing a perfect inspection, that he\/she forgets to watch the battery percentage. Flying against the wind can also cause a drain on the battery faster than expected.<\/p>\n
When a pilot realizes the battery is low, the drone will have limited time to return to the pilot or a safe landing area.<\/p>\n
Checking the battery before takeoff and throughout the flight is a good habit to develop. Pilots should also be careful not to push the drone to its limits just to get that one spectacular photo.<\/p>\n
A drone usually communicates with the pilot through some sort of wireless signal. Sometimes buildings, trees, geographical features, distance, or other devices can interrupt these signals.<\/p>\n
When a pilot loses signal, the pilot should avoid abrupt movements and follow the protocols set up by the drone manufacturer.<\/p>\n
Modern drones often have a \u2018return to home\u2019 feature built into them; however, pilots should have an understanding of these protocols before relying on them.<\/p>\n
Having a general idea of what to expect from the drone when communication is lost can often make a stressful situation easier to deal with.<\/p>\n
Trees, buildings, poles, power lines, towers, and other objects can pose a threat to a drone during flight.<\/p>\n
Some objects can be difficult to see from the pilot\u2019s perspective, especially power lines. Other objects like trees can also be passed by too quickly, especially if the drone is flying too close. Having a good understanding of the area can also help a pilot avoid dangerous objects, especially if the pilot has not been there before.<\/p>\n
Pilots should also avoid relying on obstacle-avoiding sensors. While these sensors can aid a pilot in avoiding objects, they cannot take full responsibility for the drone\u2019s safety. Practicing good piloting habits while flying can prevent many drone accidents.<\/p>\n
GPS or positional information is used by many drones to maintain their position in the air.<\/p>\n
Sometimes this information can be unreliable, however, especially in certain geographical locations. This can cause a drone to behave unexpectedly in comparison to what the pilot expects it to do.<\/p>\n
A pilot should know how their particular drone reacts to these positioning failures, and should practice in a safe area how to regain control. These basic piloting skills can also be beneficial for new pilots who may not know how to react to unexpected behaviour in their drones.<\/p>\n
Sometimes a drone may not behave as expected.<\/p>\n
It may drift off, fail to respond as expected, or behave unexpectedly due to wind, calibration errors, or other reasons.<\/p>\n
If a pilot notices something strange happen before takeoff, it is best to investigate what is happening before attempting a flight. Doing pre-flight checks can often discover issues with the propellers, battery, motors, and other components that can affect the flight of the drone.<\/p>\n
This is why practical knowledge is so important for anyone who wishes to pursue a professional drone career.<\/p>\n
The propellers on a drone are among the most important components. A small crack, bend, or chip can severely affect the performance, and\/or safety, of a drone.<\/p>\n
A pilot should avoid flying a drone with damaged propellers, and should instead investigate what caused the propellers to become damaged. It is always a good idea to check the propellers before each flight, and to replace any damaged propellers with spare ones, if available.<\/p>\n
For those interested in the mechanics and electronics of a drone, a Drone Technician Course<\/strong><\/a> can be very rewarding, as it provides a fundamental understanding about drones and their maintenance, repair, and other related activities.<\/p>\n Wildlife such as birds and animals can sometimes interfere with a drone.<\/p>\n Some birds can attack drones, especially when a drone flies into their territory. Other animals can also react negatively to the sight and sound of a drone. It is best to avoid disturbing wildlife, and to keep a safe distance in order to prevent any unwanted encounters.<\/p>\n If birds begin to swarm around a drone, it may be best to just leave the area. This is just another example of why it is important for a pilot to be aware of the surroundings during a flight.<\/p>\n A drone can fly far out of sight in a matter of seconds.<\/p>\n Sometimes a pilot can get caught up in the excitement of the flight, or can fly behind an obstacle and lose sight of the drone. This can put the pilot in a dangerous situation, and it is important for the pilot to remain aware of the drone at all times.<\/p>\n Knowing the local laws can also be helpful. Following regulations and guidelines can keep a pilot out of trouble, and in general keep the pilot aware of the drone.<\/p>\n While drones are generally reliable, technical failures can and do happen.<\/p>\n A motor, battery, sensor, communication system, and other components of a drone can fail during a flight. While technical failures can often be inevitable, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the possibility of these failures. Keeping a drone well maintained through routine maintenance and inspections can reduce technical failures.<\/p>\n This is where technical knowledge comes into play. Knowing how a drone works can make it easier for a pilot to spot potential technical failures.<\/p>\n Tras Aviation offers practical training to its students that can help them understand how to avoid technical failures, and how to deal with technical failures when they do occur.<\/p>\n Not all drone accidents are the result of technical failures. In fact, many accidents are caused due to pilot error. Flying too fast, miscalculating distance, being distracted, ignoring battery warnings, or attempting difficult manoeuvres without practice can result in a potentially dangerous situation.<\/p>\n The best way to avoid pilot error is to develop good piloting habits. Flying a drone at faster speeds and in more complex situations requires time and practice. Building piloting skills can help a pilot avoid dangerous situations by practicing good habits. Good piloting habits can also build confidence, awareness, and control.<\/p>\n Proper training can help a pilot understand how to handle different situations that may occur during a drone flight. Drone Aeromodelling Course in Gurgaon<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0can provide learners with knowledge about drone operations, flight safety, regulations, and practical flying skills.<\/p>\n The most important thing to do when something unforeseen happens is to remain calm. Rushing can make a bad situation much worse.<\/p>\n A pilot should assess the situation and determine what is the best course of action. Following the safety protocols for the drone and the area can be the best way to handle a potentially dangerous situation. Some of these protocols can be returning the drone to a safe distance, returning to the takeoff point, or landing if the area is safe.<\/p>\n Depending on the situation, some of the things a pilot should do include:<\/p>\n8. Getting Attacked by Birds<\/h2>\n
9. Losing Sight of the Drone<\/h2>\n
10. Technical Failures<\/h2>\n
11. Pilot Error<\/h2>\n
12. What Should You Do When Something Goes Wrong?<\/h2>\n