Welcome to the wonderful world of drones. If you've just gotten your first drone, you’re in for a real treat, so get ready to enjoy the experience.
Perform Pre-Flight Procedures
Like any pilot, you’re responsible for completing a thorough, pre-flight inspection. A comprehensive checklist is an efficient way to ensure you don’t forget something important. You need to check everything that could affect the drone including the weather, obstructions like power lines, required permissions, firmware updates, planned flight route, etc. If you encounter any problems, make sure they're completely resolved before takeoff. You should always be refining your checklist as you encounter and solve problems with each flight.
The Weather Challenge
The weather affects your drone’s performance and longevity. The weather is extremely unpredictable, so you should have a reliable, current source of developing weather conditions.
Excessive temperatures can cause immediate and long-term problems. Cold and heat can damage the drone and impact battery performance. Fog can make it hard to see your drone and navigate it safely around hazards. Monitor your battery in case you need to cut a flight short. If it’s absolutely necessary to go up in inclement weather, try to plan a shorter trip and stay close to the drone.
Humidity can be a problem regardless of the type or amount. If there is any type of humidity present during a flight, be sure to thoroughly clean and dry the drone, or the unexpected humidity will be free to cause damage. The wind has the power to exert its influence. The best way to avoid potential damage caused by wind is to avoid flying when it’s windy.
Treat Your Drone With Respect
A drone blurs the line between a toy and a tool, but don’t let that fool you. As an electronic tool, it requires attention. If you don’t take proper care of your drone, it will become a very expensive, broken toy. For example, if you don’t manage or take care of your battery, it could cause severe problems down the line. Many drone manufacturers will offer a maintenance schedule that will deal with everything from mechanical components to software upgrades. Following this advice and checking for updates to maintenance suggestions can help you to keep it running long-term.
Store Your Drone Safely
Storing your drone is an important part of drone maintenance. Like other electronics, drones need to be stored in climate-controlled spaces because extreme heat and cold can cause electronics to expand and contract which can lead to cracking and short-circuiting. The drone should be thoroughly cleaned before storage and wrapped in something that will offer some protection. It’s critical the batteries be removed because they can deteriorate and harm the drone.
With proper care, your drone will give you many years of service and enjoyment. Let your imagination be your guide!
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