Best Drones for Kids Reviewed & Rated in 2024
If your child is showing interest in flight or even piloting their own crafts, drones are a perfect idea to foster your child’s fascination. You can use a mini-drone which can be piloted safely in recreation rooms or you can upgrade them to a larger model that can easily be used to take on different aerial footage. There are even competitive leagues for drone pilots all around the world, which would definitely put a spark in your child’s interest in getting their drone in the air as soon as they can. Most of the drones on our list below are designed to be operated easily by first-time users. They also come in a variety of styles, sizes and some even have different difficulty levels for those seeking to build their skill.
This is the best product on our list that is currently in stock:
Includes modes for beginners
GPS maps and assistance
720P HD Camera onboard
One-touch RTH function
- X11 RC Quadcopter
- Holy Stone GPS FPV RC Drone HS100
- DROCON Mini RC
- Holy Stone HS160 Shadow FPV RC Drone
- Drone for Gopro DROCON Blue Bugs Brushless
- Potensic Mini Drone A20 RC Nano Quadcopter
- HS170 Predator Mini RC Helicopter Drone
- U818A RC Drone Quadcopter
- Hubsan X4 H107L LED Propeller Rotor Protection
- BLADE Nano QX BNF Quadcopter
10 Best Drones Reviewed
1. X11 RC Quadcopter
Durably built with propeller protectors and can stand up against crashes
Able to fly really high and will be enjoyable for your kid
Kids will enjoy the perfect size of this drone as it’s small enough to fly indoors but powerful enough to fly outdoors
Can stand up against moderate amounts of wind, so your kid can fly it outdoors often
Small fibers such as hair and lint can easily get caught in the gears and are tough to take out
Charging Time : 40 minutes Flight Time : 5 to 7 minutes Maximum Range : 130 feet On-board Camera : No Size : 6 inches Weight : 1.3 ounces
Read moreAge Range
Recommended Age: At least 14 years old. The Syma X11 can still provide kids the fun and excitement of flying a drone. It doesn’t have a camera system but it more than makes up for it with its friendlier weight and size plus slightly better range.
Durability
With 6-axis stabilization to ensure smooth flights, this quadcopter is perfect for learning to fly indoors and out. As new pilots, kids are naturally prone to crashes. To ensure protection against such accidents, this durably-built X11 RC Quadcopter by Syma comes with some of the best propeller guards on the market, in addition to 4 extra sets of propellers. The bright LED lights allow spectacular night-time visibility, and makes it easier to distinguish the front of the drone from the back.
Ease of Use
Consider the Syma X11 as a slightly stripped-down version of the X5C. While it doesn’t boast of any on-board camera system, its edge over its larger and heavier cousin is that the X11 has a better maximum effective range, albeit not that much. It’s particularly useful for absolute beginners as it comes with superb stabilization for indoor or outdoor use. The package also includes a couple of spare parts for repair and replacement purposes in the event that it gets damaged.
2. Holy Stone GPS FPV RC Drone HS100
Includes modes for beginners
GPS maps and assistance
720P HD Camera onboard
One-touch RTH function
May be a bit much for a first drone
Charging Time: 3-6 Hours Flight Time: 12-15 Minutes Maximum Range: 150 Meters On-board Camera: Yes Size: 19.68 Inches by 6.88 Inches Weight: 24.7 Ounce
Read moreAge Range
Recommended Age: 16 years and up. If you are looking for the best way to get your more advanced pilot flying and taking aerial HD footage, this product may be your best choice.
Durability
This quadcopter includes a one-touch Return to Home Function that will help them learn to land and prevent them from losing the drone permanently if they are having trouble finding a place to land. This package also includes GPS assistance that helps them keep up with their location relative to their drone and better understand the terrain as they explore and record.
Ease of Use
This product boasts a wide array of built-in functions that any drone pilot can appreciate, but it also includes and onboard 720P HD camera that makes the process of outdoor exploration far more convenient and accessible for your child. This product is custom made to make outdoor excursions more attractive to your child, giving them the joy of flight on top of the joy of exploration.
3. DROCON Mini RC
3D Action Flips
One-touch return and landing
Small and portable
3 speed options
2 charging methods
Low battery life once charged
Charging Time: 40-60 minutes Flight Time: 5-7 minutes Maximum Range: 40 Meters Onboard Camera: No camera Size: 7.6 x 7.2 x 2.3 inches Weight: 10.4 ounces
Read moreAge Range
This drone is pretty easy for all ages to maneuver, but is best suited for children ages fourteen and up according to the manufacturer. This drone is meant to perform tricks rather than record. If you have a new flyer who is frustrated with standard drone controls, the Drocon Mini is a solid choice as it features programming called “Headless Mode.” Activating this mode of operation allows you to fly the drone according to the orientation of the controller, regardless of which way the drone is facing. Older kids will love the drone’s ability to flip 360 degrees and roll forwards, backwards, left, or right.
Durability
One-key return makes landings easier on those just starting out with their drone. Many drones are lost to poor navigation skills or rough landings. This drone will automatically return to your location with just the push of a button. It’s a mini size and it folds up nicely so it can be carried in your pocket or backpack wherever you go. No more lugging around clunky machinery: just fold this little guy up and you’re on your way. The battery doesn’t hold a charge for long, though, so if you’re looking for something with longevity, browse our other top choices.
Ease of Use
The Drocon Mini RC just sounds like it’s ready for action. This powerful little drone is easy to use, can do some impressive tricks, and is equipped with two charging methods. Beginners and drone enthusiasts alike will love this sleek model. It comes with multiple modes and features that make it easy to fly and control. Three speeds allows for a learning curve as your little pilot improves upon the necessary skills for a successful flight. One-touch landing returns the drone to you wherever you are, and the “Headless Mode” is a relatively new drone feature that allows users to control their drones seamlessly, regardless of the drone’s orientation in the sky. You don’t need to be an expert to have a good time with this drone.
4. Holy Stone HS160 Shadow FPV RC Drone
Convenient and portable
On board 720P HD camera
App control system
Bonus Battery for doubling flight-time
Short flight time per battery
Charging Time: 50-70 Minutes Flight Time: 7-9 Minutes Maximum Range: 30 Meters On-board Camera: Yes Size: 2.6 Inches by 5.5 Inches Weight: 83 Grams
Read moreAge Range
Recommended age range: 14 years and up. Drones require enough hand-eye coordination to successfully navigate them. Younger children may enjoy drones but they’ll generally find it a little more difficult than their older counterparts to control their unit. Likewise, drones are made to endure flight and a few misshapen landings, but generally speaking, they won’t survive too much rough play.
Durability
The designs and styles of drones are always improving, and there might not be a more UFO-esque option on the market than with the Holy Stone HS160 model. This sleek and portable drone can be carried in a pocket like a cellphone with its folding structure, and the controller app can be used with any smartphone to give them a first-person view of the action. This drone also offers 3D VR compatibility modes, allow them to pilot the drone using their VR headset.
Ease of Use
They might actually forget they are not flying with this awesome piece of tech, the awesome built-in functions offer them quite possibly the most immersive and accessible route into drone piloting offered to date. This Product offers up an some of the coolest and most innovative technology to your child with the convenience and ease with which they use their smartphone.
5. Drone for Gopro DROCON Blue Bugs Brushless
Brushless metal motor
Includes mount for GoPro
Smart remote control alarm beeps when out of range or power
C5020 support for high capacity TF memory card
Lightweight design can cause the drone to be easily blown off course by light or moderate wind
Several reviewers reported issues with the drone charging over time
Charging Time: 240-300 minutes Flight Time: 5-20 minutes Maximum Range: 300-500 meters Onboard Camera: Yes, 720p at 25 fps Size: 16 inches Weight: 2.65 pounds
Read moreAge Range
Recommended Age: 14 years and Up. The lightweight and high flight control range makes this the perfect drone for your child to take on a hike with boy scouts or to film mountain bike stunts. It could be used to create impactful videos that draw you into the scenery due to the wide-angle lens or even in the school parking lot to show off tricks and flips!
Durability
When it comes to flight distance the Drocon Blue Bugs Brushless Motor Quadcopter is the top of its game. Able to travel between 300-500 meters in any direction, including straight up, on a single charge lets this drone soar over its competition...and literally out of sight! 300 meters is equivalent to a 30 story building making this drone a great option for photography or impressive aerial tricks. Its onboard camera features a high-resolution 720p lens that can capture 2 megapixels images with a wide-angle. If you’re looking for even higher quality image capturing, this aerial robot comes pre-equipped with a mount to fit any standard GoPro model camera. The only downside to this impressive flying machine is its weight. Designed with the ability to perform stunt flips this drone sacrifices stability in order to maintain its lightweight frame. This can cause it to be easily manipulated or veered off course by the wind.
Ease of Use
This drone utilizes an impressive brushless metal motor system to achieve super fast speeds while maintaining excellent handling. Brushless motors are sought after as they are less prone to overheating which allows for longer flight time. They also resist sparking which can be a big issue with brush style motors, making this drone a safer option.
6. Potensic Mini Drone A20 RC Nano Quadcopter
Altitude Hold Mode provides ease of use for beginners
One key takeoff and landing
The Headless mode allows flight in all directions
Adjustable speed allows varying levels of proficiency
Several reviewers report that the drone can stop responding to commands if flown out of range, this can cause the drone to be easily lost so we recommend only using this device indoors
Charging Time: 40 minutes Flight Time: 10 minutes Maximum Range: 50 feet Onboard Camera: No Size: 1 inch Weight: 4 ounces
Read moreAge Range
Recommended Age: 14-17 years. With such a plethora of drone options on the market these days it's surprising that it is relatively difficult to find a device designed specifically for children. The Potensic Mini Drone A20 Nano Quadcopter has a recommended age of 14 to 17 years but has been created with several kid-friendly features that make it the perfect introductory toy for your little one.
Durability
Several adjustable options allow this drone to be simple enough for children or true beginners to drone flying. You can adjust the speed at which the drone flies, making it slower for newbies or kids and than slowing dialing it up as they become more proficient. It also comes equipped with an altitude hold mode which locks the machine into a hovering pattern when your child releases the control stick. This gives your little one more freedom to learn how to control the drone correctly without having to worry about accidental crashes.
Ease of Use
One button takeoff and landing means your kiddo won’t get frustrated just trying to figure out how to get this vehicle off the ground! It also means less chance of the drone vanishing into the sky never to be seen again! The built-in headless mode also provides ease of use for beginners. It allows the drone to fly in all directions so there is no worry about which way its facing. The drawback of this drone is its small size and relatively short control range, both of which make this more ideal as an indoor toy than an outdoor one. Your kiddo can feel like a flying pro with this easy to fly, and relatively inexpensive, flying machine! This drone comes equipped with a safety battery slot which is not removable and covered with insulated plastic to avoid your little one being able to accidental touch the battery itself.
7. HS170 Predator Mini RC Helicopter Drone
Brushless metal motor
Includes mount for GoPro
Smart remote control alarm beeps when out of range or power
C5020 support for high capacity TF memory card
Lightweight design can cause the drone to be easily blown off course by light or moderate wind
Several reviewers reported issues with the drone charging over time
Charging Time: 60 to 80 minutes Flight Time : 6 to 8 minutes Maximum Range : 160 feet On-board Camera : No Size : 5 to 6 inches Weight : 8 ounces
Read moreAge Range
Recommended Age : At least 14 years old. This drone make is an excellent choice for beginners. The HS170 Predator Mini RC Helicopter drone is small and lightweight, due to it’s size you can fly it indoors, in addition to flying it outdoors. This drone comes equipped with colorful LED lights that make it easy to distinguish the front of the helicopter from the back. Furthermore, the bright lights are sure to make night time flights exciting.
Durability
It’s inexpensive, comes with excellent wind-resistance, and superbly stable flight controls, there’s no questioning the appeal of Holy Stone’s HS170 Predator especially among neophyte drone operators. It’s been continuously adjudged as one of the best when it comes to training wannabe drone operators. The HS170 Predator is an exceptional beginner’s drone quadcopter. It may not have an onboard camera as well as other features, but it sure can give the experience of a lifetime to any kid at its controls.
Ease of Use
The HS170 Predator comes with a Headless Flight system which makes launching a lot easier. It has gyro stabilization system for instant recovery after a sudden gust of wind; although its wind-resistance is already commendable. This also allows for the performance of a variety of tricks and stunts with relative ease.
8. U818A RC Drone Quadcopter
The blades are encircled so they won’t become damaged during any crashes
Very easy to control and will promote confidence as beginners use it
Comes with an extra battery pack to extend flight time for your kid
Has one-key return technology so that it’s less likely to get lost
Drone is lightweight and the motor will not allow it to hold up against tough winds
Charging Time : 90 to 120 minutes Flight Time : 7 to 9 minutes Maximum Range : 250 to 260 feet On-board Camera : Yes, HD 720p at 30 fps Size : 14 to 15 inches Weight : 5 ounces
Read moreAge Range
Recommended Age : At least 14 years old. Priced a bit higher than its sibling, the HS170 Predator, the U818A from Holy Stone provides greater maximum effective range and the addition of an HD camera for more engaging drone flight experience for your kids. The 2.4GHz remote of this quadcopter has a phenomenal response and less power consumption than most standard remotes. The remote also has an LCD screen that displays the flight status which is an excellent tool for beginners to have as they learn more about piloting. With a range that reaches up to a whopping 260 feet, your teen will enjoy taking high definition aerial photos and videos as they effortlessly pilot this drone by Holy Stone.
Durability
The U818A also features a one-key return technology to help guarantee you’ll never lose it in flight. It also has a headless mode for effortless flying. It’s fully stable in flight which is important in taking full advantage of its 720p HD camera system. Performing stunts and tricks is also easy with just a flip of a button. The frame is exceptionally sturdy so even if it crashes, you’d still find it intact.
Ease of Use
It comes with a bonus battery to double it’s time in the air which is great for the fact the U818A RC Drone Quadcopter is equipped with powerful motors that allows the helicopter to fly longer. This drone has bright LED lights that enables your kid to easily keep up with it, and put on a beautiful night-time show. The U818A may be priced higher but for good reason. It’s more stable and provides greater range. This should provide the perfect opportunity for whipping up your kid’s imagination.
9. Hubsan X4 H107L LED Propeller Rotor Protection
6-axis control with adjustable gyro
Built-in LED lights for better low-light flying
Removable batteries extend flying time
2.4 GHz transmitter with LCD screen
Battery cords are not well secured and have to be properly tucked in after changing the battery to ensure the center of gravity is not changed
Does not include rotor guards
Charging Time: 30-45 Minutes Flight Time: 6-8 minutes Maximum Range: 100 Meters Onboard Camera: No Size: 3 inches Weight: 1.1 pounds
Read moreAge Range
Recommended Age: 14 years and up. Simple enough control in Normal mode for beginner, the X4 really stretches its legs in Expert mode and would make a great gift for a true drone enthusiast.
Durability
The downside of this drone is that is lacking in beginner level stability control and proper rotor guards. That means it is more likely to crash and crash hard if used by a beginner. For your older child or young teen who has been using drones for years, this machine is the perfect middle ground before committing to an expensive hobby-grade model.
Ease of Use
Get ready to light up the night with the Hubsan X4 H107L quadcopter! This tiny drone is pocket-sized for easy portability and with red LED lights built-in along its body, it is the perfect companion for overcast days or the park at dusk. While it lacks the camera functionality of some of its larger competitors, the X4 makes up for its visual failing with an impressive repertoire of aerial tricks. It can easily perform severe forward and backward flips, tip into barrel rolls at super fast speeds, and even make banked turns! The X4 has been designed to allow for as much flight time as possible to give your child the chance to check out those cool LED’s as it performs sick mid-air flips! The batteries charge in as little as half an hour and are completely removable, allowing you the option to simply switch them out for another set of pre-charged batteries instead of having the cut the flight short.
10. BLADE Nano QX BNF Quadcopter
Utilizes safe technology with multiple flight modes
Brushed motor for smooth lift
Equipped with blade guards and comes with extra rotor blades
Usable with any 4+ channel DSM2 or DSMX transmitter
Lacking durability, the drone is likely to stop working after a few crashes
Several reviewers report issues with receiving defective motors
Charging Time: 25 minutes Flight Time: 7-8 minutes Maximum Range: 40 feet Onboard Camera: No Size: 7 inches Weight: 8.8 ounces
Read moreAge Range
Recommended Age: 14 years and Up. Often referred to as a drone with ‘training wheels’, the Blade Nano QX BNF Quadcopter is one of the smallest hobby-grade drones on the market. Its tiny size makes it uniquely capable of flight in cramped or small spaces such as your living room or even an office cubicle! Designed to be simple to pick up and fly, this drone utilizes SAFE technology to provide increased stability and ease of flight. Even beginners can impress with this trick and flip styled drone!
Durability
To enter stability mode simply let go of the control sticks and the Nano QX will right itself and settle into a hover until you are ready to direct it again. This ensures that the drone stays upright and in your control at all time. Agility mode kicks in as soon as you touch the controls again and provides faster flying speed and increased precision.
Ease of Use
SAFE stands for Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope and it is a specialized technology crafted specifically for this device. It features two different flight ‘modes’, stability and agility. The downside to this system is the lack of camera. Due to its small size, an onboard camera would have added too much weight to be practical.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Age Range
First things first, parents need to be reminded that when it comes to any toy, they need to read the packaging of any item that they buy for their children. Mainly because manufacturers always have a recommended minimum age for their products. When purchasing a drone, we cannot stress enough how important it is to consider your child’s developmental age and not his chronological age.
Play toys are designed in a way that they are usually best enjoyed by a certain age group that has inherent characteristics required of the toy. Here’s an example for you: remote-control toys such as cars, robots, or even planes require the handling and manipulation of a remote-control device. This means that if you have a young child who hasn’t exactly mastered his gross- and fine-motor skills as well as visual-spatial intelligence, then it might be a bit difficult for them to control the drone.
The company may put the minimum recommended age at 5 years old but if you have a child who is already 5 yet hasn’t mastered some of the physical skills that are actually required to fly the drone, he might not enjoy playing with it as much as someone who has mastered those physical skills. This is why it is extremely important for parents and caregivers to understand that the minimum age recommended may not accurately reflect the developmental level of your child. It is extremely important to look at the recommended age labeling as more of a guide rather than as a rule. You want to make sure your child has all the different skills they need in order to fly the drone of their dreams.
Durability
We know it can be frustrating to invest good money in a new toy or source of entertainment for your family, only for that product to be utterly trashed within weeks. Drones can endure a learning curve as children figure out how to fly and land them properly, but some will hold up better than others, and on average we don’t suggest entrusting children who still engage in rough play with these costly little gadgets. We’ve tried to pick models that were manufactured with top quality materials and built-in safety mechanisms to ensure you don’t lose them to mother nature anytime soon. Some drones feature one-touch return/landing programs, which we encourage for new flyers.
Some of these models are larger, others are miniatures. Size and weight aren’t always the most indicative of durability, but they can be useful data to have when you’re considering traveling with your drone. Lastly, always be cognisant of your flight time. A lot of these drones aren’t made with lengthy battery life and you don’t want to lose your drone out in the open due to a failing battery.
Many of the parents and children who purchased these drones were incredibly happy with their decision. We sorted through all kinds of models to find the best-ranked and most popular units. If you’re curious to hear what families just like yours had to say about their experience, check out the amazon reviews!
Ease of Use
Maximum Range
This is inherently tied to the power of your radio transmission. Drones operate by sending radio frequencies to and from your remote controller. If it loses contact, then it won’t be able to fly as efficiently as you’d want it to. Some drones have a maximum range of about 100 meters or about 328 feet in diameter or that’s about 50 meters on all sides with you in the center. Some come with more powerful radio signals that they can fly beyond 100 meters without breaking contact.
Onboard Camera
Not all drones have an onboard camera system, but for those that do, it’s a great way to introduce aerial photography to your kids. Some kiddie drones that don’t have onboard cameras come with integrated mounts to attach third-party camera solutions like GoPro and other similar systems.
However, it is important to consider the weight of these camera attachments as these can have an effect on the operation, maneuverability, and flight time of the drone. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a truly unique flying experience, you may want to look at the resolution features of the camera system. Most onboard cameras come with HD-quality resolutions; however, don’t expect these to be professional quality.
Other Useful Features
Competing drone manufacturers continue to outwit each other by integrating a variety of features into their systems. These can include a headless mode, one-key return, one-key trick control, and a whole lot more. These features are designed primarily to ensure ease in flying while also minimizing damage and loss to the rig. You may have to study these features carefully and determine which ones your kid absolutely needs.
Like any other outdoor activity, flying an unmanned aircraft system, or UAS, better known as a drone, can provide a host of benefits especially to young flyers. It’s like flying a kite, although there are many great differences between the two systems. Nevertheless, here are some of the well-established benefits of drones for kids.
Some drones now come with simple programming modules that allow children to manipulate certain parameters to push the unmanned aircraft system beyond its intended design. While such drones are rare, they do exist. And this can become a very important platform for children to appreciate and understand the beginning concepts in coding or programming. As you may already be aware, most of the things we now enjoy run on computers. The earlier your kids understand these concepts, the better it is for them in the future.
We already said that some drones allow kids to do a bit of programming. This can lay the foundation for a computer programming or technology-based profession for them. Being able to make very fine adjustments in the controls can also help them prepare for jobs that require a lot of fine-tuning a variety of equipment. And then, of course, there are those UASes that come with onboard camera systems which can be a great stepping stone for kids to try and venture into aerial photography and videography-–perhaps a stint as a cameraman, a film producer or director, a news reporter, a photo or video journalist, or any other profession that requires such skills. Technically, we can think of a lot of future possibilities for a young drone operator.
Flying a drone provides a host of cognitive, social, and emotional benefits to children. To make the most out of playing with these gadgets, it’s important to always observe certain safety rules as well as existing drone laws in your area. Learning what to look for in a drone for your kid also matters. And with these 10 best drones for kids, the only thing that’s left is for you to choose and start flying.
Other Factors to Consider
Battery Life
Unlike its military counterparts that can stay up in the air for several hours, these toy drones can only stay up in the air for several minutes. Parents are advised to check the number of minutes the drone can stay up in the air because it’s often measured after a full charge or a recharge. Expect, as well, some minor discrepancies in the published flight time and the actual figures. For example, a manufacturer may say that their product can stay in the air for 6 to 8 minutes.
If you use your drone on a clear, windless day and without any other obstacles, you might be able to even push the drone to it’s maximum flight time. Keep in mind though, any unnecessary movements that require the drone to produce more power than necessary will drain its battery a lot faster than usual, leading to a significantly reduced flying time. When performing numerous tricks, stunts, and flying against the wind can also affect flight time too, you’re going to want to be clear of all surroundings before take-off. It’s best ahead of time to make sure you understand all of this so that way parents and children aren’t frustrated during the time of this play time.
Safety
Flying a drone can be lots of fun. Unfortunately, like all activities that are performed outdoors, there are risks involved. Additionally, you are essentially playing with an electronic device that can become dangerous if not operated properly. So, you may need to observe some basic safety tips for flying a drone, especially for kids.
If you have to tinker with your drone or even perform basic cleaning and maintenance, make sure to remove the batteries as it’s not unusual to have the unit accidentally turn itself on. Better be ready than sorry.
Price Range
Here’s the good thing about today’s drone systems–with a lot of competition and so many technical improvements, you can expect a drone for every type of budget. There are drones that can be had for under $30 while more sophisticated ones can easily run in the hundreds of dollars.
It is usually a wise move to get for a young, beginning flyer a drone that’s inexpensive to help introduce the joys of flying without having to regret that much should it crash. For the more seasoned flyers, getting a more sophisticated rig should bring a wide smile to his face.
Logic
It may not be readily apparent, but one of the most important benefits of drone flying among kids is the enhancement of their problem-solving abilities. This can be manifested in a variety of situations. It should be clear that the basic premise of problem-solving lies in the recognition of a potential issue or problem. As soon as kids start thinking about a particular problem, they have essentially engaged in the problem-solving process already.
For example, when they receive their first drone, they might ask themselves how they can fly such a mini aircraft. This is the problem. They will then find the solutions to such a problem. They may ask for a copy of the manual or they may ask you to teach them how to fly it. Some kids will want to watch a YouTube video specifically showing how to fly such a model of a drone. These actions are what constitute the “solutions” to the “problem” of how to fly the drone. Technically, it is problem-solving in its simplest sense.
Flying a drone presents a lot of opportunities for employing the problem-solving process and each one of these can only help to enhance the cognitive abilities of children. If such cognitive processes are stimulated, it is not surprising to see your kid develop other higher-ordered thinking skills such as application, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis or creation. The point is, the more kids use the various neural connections in their brains, the more efficient it becomes at processing and integrating more complex information which can spell academic and personal success for the growing child.
Protection
Safety considerations aside, flying a drone can also have legal ramifications. This is inherently tied to the view that certain types of drones should be considered vehicles that can use public spaces and as such should be subject to certain rules applied to all. Before heading out to fly your new drone, make sure you understand the following legal considerations to drone flying.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: How can drones benefit my kid, educationally?
Drones can cover a variety of educational subjects including math, science, photography, and videography, as well as geography. All of these subjects may overlap when your kid starts piloting a drone. Your kid will engage in math and science before they launch the drone as they study flying conditions such as wind gusts and how the drone will react when it interacts with the wind, a potential for precipitation, the location of the sun and surrounding topography. Many drones are equipped with HD cameras which will enable your child to learn more about aerial photography and videography. While taking aerial photos, your kid will learn more about different aerial angles such as oblique and vertical. They may even create combinations of the two through photo editing. In addition to these things, your kid will learn more about the geography and topography of your neighborhood or town, depending on where they choose to fly the drone.
q: Where can my kid safely fly a drone?
The safest place to fly a drone is in the private property of your yard or an open field, in which you have permission. It’s also a good rule of thumb to let your neighbors know that your kid will be operating a drone in case it happens to fly over or land on their property. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has specific rules for flying drones and to stay safe, you should follow them. These rules state that drones are allowed to fly at a maximum altitude of 400 feet (121 meters) to ensure that you aren’t in anyone’s airspace and to avoid conflict and contact with manned aircraft such as airplanes, helicopters or jets. For that reason, you also may not fly within 5 miles of an airport. If you live within 5 miles of an airport, you must give notice to the airport operator and Air Traffic Control. Operating drones should be fun and safe, be sure to follow the FAA regulations and always be considerate to those around you.
q: Can I fly with a drone?
It depends on the drone and the airport. For example, American Airlines states that you can travel with a drone but the drone or the box that it’s carried in has to be less than 24 x 14 x 9 inches. However, there may be flight restrictions on the rechargeable batteries that your drone has. When it comes to traveling, please keep the following notes from American Airlines in mind:
Up to two additional batteries for each device you may have been permitted, with restrictions:
The extra batteries must be independently packaged so that they comply with the lithium battery acceptance guidelines.
You’re only allowed to bring batteries in your carry-on luggage.
Lithium metal batteries are allowed but there can be no more than 2 grams of lithium in each battery.
Lithium-ion batteries are also allowed, however, you may only bring a maximum of two and they can’t be greater than 120 watt-hours.
If you’re going on a trip or vacation, and you have to fly, be sure to look up the rules and regulations of the airline you will be using. If not, your kid’s drone may be taken by the TSA if it’s restricted.
q: What can I do to extend the flight time of my drone?
The majority of the drones listed on our list average around 8 to 10 minutes of flight time. It would be awesome if drones could fly forever without needing to recharge batteries, right? However, that’s not possible, and for that reason, it’s good to have additional rechargeable battery packs and chargers. There are many chargers on the market that will allow you to charge several batteries at once, as well as different types of batteries in you happen to own more than one type of drone. In addition, you should keep weather variables in mind while flying as the weather can have a huge impact on how your drone battery performs:
It takes more energy for a drone to fly against the wind, so it would be a good idea to avoid flying outdoors on days where the wind gusts are strong.
Most drones are not made to stand up against water in mid-flight or crashing into a body of water such as a pool or lake. With that being said, it’s best to avoid piloting drones during the rain, and near bodies of water. The latter tip will go along the way with beginners.
Many drones come with removable add-ons such as propeller guards. Most drone operators find that removing the guards extend flight-time by a small margin. We don’t advise beginners to do this for the fact that the guards are there to serve a purpose: to protect the drone against crashes. Furthermore, numerous drones have flight settings of low, medium and high. It would be wise to set the flight mode to “low power” for the purpose of conserving battery life.
q: How can I reduce the risk of crashing my drone?
Always ensure that your drone battery is fully charged. Most of the drones we researched have an average charge time of 60 minutes. A low battery can result in a crash landing.
Avoid flying your drone outdoors on windy days, as the wind could carry it away in mid-flight. It would also be wise not to fly your drone outdoors when it’s raining, as the rain could affect the battery and motor. Good weather conditions can greatly decrease your chance of crashing your drone. Fly your drone in open spaces that don’t contain obstacles such as trees, light poles, power lines and buildings. It will help a lot to always keep a close eye on your drone at all times. By doing this, you’ll be able to prevent such crashes.
q: What’s aerial photography?
Aerial photography is the practice of taking photos from a flying object. Aerial photography was first practiced in 1958, and now it’s becoming more popular than ever. The invention of drones has made taking aerial photographs and videos easy. Aerial photography can be used for a variety of things, such as surveillance, art projects, bird watching, environmental studies, journalism, surveying land, and many other things. It’s a very exciting and entertaining hobby to have. Remember to respect the privacy of others while taking aerial photos and videos. If you want to photograph someone else’s property, ask for permission beforehand.
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