Which drone for which purpose?
Whether you want the thrill of flying a drone, capturing stunning aerial shots, or filming your adventures, drones have become one of the most exciting radio-controlled vehicles around today. Many enthusiasts have already taken the plunge and own their own drone, especially since it’s now possible to find a good model at a reasonable price.
Recreational drones fall into two main categories: large quadcopters with built-in cameras—the choice of amateur filmmakers—and smaller models without cameras, which are much more maneuverable and offer a more fun-focused flying experience. The former are capable of capturing breathtaking images and are often sold with a separate remote control; the latter are less expensive toy drones that can be flown directly via a smartphone.
The cost of a model with a camera can vary widely; for beginners, a standard camera will suffice, but video professionals will prefer an HD camera—which is often more expensive but offers exceptional image quality. Among toy drones, there is a category of its own: racing drones or RC drones. These are particularly appealing to speed enthusiasts thanks to their high performance.
Before choosing your first drone, it’s important to ask yourself what you want to use it for and what your budget is. Those who want to fly a small drone in their living room or backyard will prefer a drone without a camera, while outdoor enthusiasts who want to capture beautiful footage of their adventures will opt for drones with an onboard camera.
The Different Types of Drones
When you go to buy a drone, you’ll realize that not all of them are ready to fly. There are various acronyms to indicate what’s included with the drone: RTF, BNF, ARF, and FPV.
RTF Drones (Ready-To-Fly)
RTF quadcopters are ready to fly; they require no assembly or special configuration. The steps involved are simple: charger install the battery, attach the propellers, and pair the remote control with the drone. This is the best choice for beginners in model aviation.
BNF (Bind-And-Fly) Drones
BNF quadcopters are generally pre-assembled but sold without a radio controller. To fly the drone, you can use a radio controller you already own (provided it’s compatible) or purchase one separately. Note that just because a transmitter and receiver operate on the same frequency doesn’t mean they’ll be compatible: you must also verify that they use the same manufacturing protocol.
ARF (Almost-Ready-to-Fly) Drones
ARF quadcopters are sold as kits and require partial assembly. If you see this acronym next to the name, be sure to read the description car—they may be sold without motors, etc. This is the ideal choice for experienced pilots who want to customize their drone.
FPV (First-Person View) drones
The FPV quadcopters have a front-facing camera that transmits real-time video to the pilot via a smartphone, a screen on the remote control, or FPV goggles. FPV drones thus offer an immersive flight and a surprisingly realistic piloting experience. For an even more intense experience, we recommend using FPV goggles.
Features to Consider
Flight Time
A drone’s flight time depends on battery capacity, the drone’s weight, the aerodynamics of its design, your flying style, and weather conditions. This parameter is often specified by manufacturers and corresponds to the maximum flight time under optimal test conditions. Most models have a flight time of no more than 30 minutes. We recommend bringing a spare battery, which will double your drone’s flight time.
Brushless Motor or Coreless?
The brushless motor is often found on larger quadcopters and offers a long service life, quieter operation, and powerful thrust. The coreless motor is lighter and smaller; it’s often found on mini quadcopters.
Camera resolution
For drones equipped with a camera, it’s important to consider the resolution. An HD camera offers stunning footage but is much more expensive. There are also models that come with a special mount for filming with your own camera.
Headless Mode
Designed for beginners, headless mode makes it easier to fly the drone, as it will always move forward, backward, left, or right regardless of the orientation of the drone’s nose.
Built-in GPS
High-end drone models offer advanced features thanks to an onboard GPS, such as RTH or “Return-to-Home” (a safety feature that automatically guides the drone back to its pilot) or “Follow Me” (the drone follows your movements without any action on your part, allowing you to focus on your activities).
Drone Regulations
The subject of much speculation, drones are sometimes in the news for flying over restricted areas, collisions, and other incidents. As a drone pilot, and to avoid trouble, it’s important to familiarize yourself with current aviation safety regulations and follow these guidelines:
- Do not fly over people; the propellers can be dangerous.
- Observe the maximum flight altitude of 150 meters.
- Maintain visual contact with your drone and never fly at night.
- Do not fly your drone in urban areas, near aviation facilities (airports, airfields, etc.), or near sensitive or protected sites (military bases, nuclear power plants, etc.)
- . Respect others’ privacy by not filming people without their knowledge.
- Ask for permission from anyone who appears in your video before publishing it.
The DGAC (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) also offers a short video that reviews the basic rules to follow, summarized in ten rules:
