5 Disastrous Drone Mistakes You Should Avoid
Drones are expensive and there is no scarier sight then to see your drone fall out of the sky and collapse in a pile of plastic. This could be watching your overpriced drone get gobbled by a tree or smack into the ground.
Today we are looking at 5 things you should NEVER do with your drone. This list includes everything you should avoid in order for you to reduce the risk of loosing your drone. This way, you can prevent having to shell out additional funds for a replacement (your wallet will thank you).
#1 Don’t Crash into Trees
Trees are drone eaters. They reach out with their conniving little leaves in order to snag any and all unsuspecting aircraft.
As a result, trees probably eat thousands (if not tens-of-thousands) of drones per year and we are convinced that they nourish themselves off of plastic and propellers.
You may be flying your drone, not at all anticipating loosing your life’s savings to a mere sapling.
I know from personal experience how much it hurts to see your drone plummet from the sky after getting tangled in a tree.
I have experience the this firsthand…
My first drone job ended in disaster! I was assigned a commercial project for a painting company and ended up smacking into the side of a tree. Not only did this destroy my drone, but I ended up loosing all the extra components such as the battery, SD card, and a ND filter.
Needless to say, always be aware of where you are flying!
Here’s a tip! Have a spotter when you fly. This will save you money in the long run.
#2 Hit a Power Line
Do you want to know how you can owe a lot of money in a very short amount of time? How about damage critical infrastructure by accident?
Yep… that’ll do it.
Not only can you risk paying for accidental damages at your expense, but you can damage your drone equipment as well. That isn’t a good day in my book!
Unlike trees, which are at least pretty obvious, power lines have this sneaky ability to blend into the background. They’re practically invisible when you’re focused on your drone’s view. One minute, everything’s going fine, and the next, you’re tangled in wires, watching your drone do a not-so-graceful nosedive.
How do you avoid power lines as a drone pilot? Always scan the area before takeoff and make a mental note of any power lines nearby. Staying aware is key to keeping both your drone and your wallet safe.
#3 Fly into People
Cared to be sued out of house and home? Crash into a non-suspecting pedestrian and you will probably live in a cardboard box for the rest of your life.
People, unlike trees or power lines, are unpredictable. They move, they don’t always notice a drone coming their way, and when something goes wrong, it’s not going to end well for anyone. That’s why it’s crucial to be extra cautious when flying around crowds or close to people.
If you’re shooting footage near people, use prop guards. FPV cinewhoops are great for this—they’re designed to fly close to subjects without risking injuring your subject. It’s just common sense: you don’t want to hurt anyone, and you definitely don’t want to lose your drone license over an avoidable accident.
Always be cautious around people and know your surroundings!
#4 Sacrifice your Drone to The Wind
“I wanted to see how high it would go and lost it!”
I have heard this phrase repeated many times. New drone pilots are especially guilty of this.
They want to see how high their drone can go, not realizing that the higher you fly, the stronger the winds. Many noobies fly their drones out of range and end up never seeing it again. Trust me, range testing is NOT cool!
Before you know it, your drone’s off on its own adventure, never to be seen again. It’s like losing a kite… except way more expensive.
It’s worth noting that most drones cannot fly more than a mile or two away before loosing connection.
Fortunately, many drones nowadays come with return to home features which can help return the aircraft to you if you loose connection from the remote controller. This feature usually comes standard today. If you are considering buying a drone, check for this feature! Many DJI drones nowadays come with this feature included on many of their drones.
#5 Flying with Chipped Propellers
Flying with chipped or damaged propellers is like driving with a flat tire—you might still get where you’re going, but it’s probably not going to end well. Damaged props can throw off your drone’s balance, making it wobble, drift, or even crash.
Here’s the deal: it’s tempting to push your drone to the limit, especially if you don’t have a spare set of props. But flying with busted props is a gamble. One wrong move, and you could be watching your drone take an unwanted nosedive.
It is recommended that you inspect your props before take off. This is especially important if you are flying over a ‘no-recovery zone’. These zones include water, trees, and other areas that would make it difficult to recover the drone wreckage.
The good news? Replacement propellers are cheap.
For $10-$20, you can keep an extra set on hand and swap them out when needed. It’s a small investment compared to the cost of replacing an entire drone. So don’t risk it—inspect your props regularly, and if they’re damaged, switch them out. Your drone (and your wallet) will thank you.
