Drones For Dummies

Drones For Dummies

by Mark LaFay
Released July 2015
Publisher(s): For Dummies
ISBN: 9781119049784

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Book description

The fast and easy way to pick out, set up, and learn to fly your drone

Ready to soar into the world of unmanned aircraft? Drones For Dummies introduces you to the fascinating world of UAVs. Written in plain English and brimming with friendly instruction, Drones For Dummies provides you with the information you need to find and purchase the right drone for your needs, examples of ways to use a drone, and even drone etiquette and the laws and regulations governing consumer drone usage. Plus, you'll discover the basics of flight, including how to use a drone to capture photos and video.

Originally designed to assist in military and special operations applications, the use of drones has expanded into the public service sector and the consumer market for people looking to have a good time flying an aircraft remotely. Drones For Dummies covers everything you need to know to have fun with your UAV, and is packed with cool ways to expand your drone's use beyond simply flying.

  • Pick the perfect drone to suit your needs
  • Properly set up and fly a drone
  • Use a drone to capture images and footage with a camera
  • Tips for maintaining your drone

If you're interested in the exciting new technology of unmanned aircraft vehicles, Drones For Dummies helps you take flight.

Table of contents

    1. Cover
    2. Introduction
      1. About This Book
      2. Foolish Assumptions
      3. How This Book Is Organized
      4. Icons Used in This Book
      5. Beyond the Book
      6. Where to Go from Here
    3. Part I: Getting Started with Drones
      1. Chapter 1: Drones 101
        1. What Are Drones?
        2. Drones and the Military
        3. Growth in Consumer Drones
        4. Popular Uses for Drones
        5. High-Flying Drone Companies
      2. Chapter 2: Picking the Drone That’s Right for You
        1. Knowing Where to Start
        2. Drones with Integrated Cameras
        3. Drones with Add-On Camera Support
        4. Flight Controls
        5. Batteries
        6. Other Important Features
        7. Where to Buy Your Drone
      3. Chapter 3: Picking the Best Camera for Your Needs
        1. Knowing How You Will Use Your Camera
        2. Determining What Your Drone Supports
        3. Weight Is Everything
        4. Digital Camera Technology
        5. Balancing Features and Price
      4. Chapter 4: Finding Support and Resources
        1. Finding and Navigating Online Communities
        2. Using Social Media to Meet Drone Enthusiasts
        3. Getting Drone News with Google Alerts
    4. Part II: Before You Fly
      1. Chapter 5: Setting Up Your Drone
        1. Unboxing Your Drone
        2. Assembling Your Drone
        3. Getting Familiar with Your Aerial Camera
      2. Chapter 6: Staying Safe with Your Drone
        1. Avoiding Propeller Injuries
        2. Reducing the Risk of Drone Crashes
        3. Safely Handling Lithium Polymer Batteries
      3. Chapter 7: Knowing the Law
        1. Know Before You Fly in the United States
        2. Taking Matters Into Your Own Hands
        3. Knowing the Laws in Other Countries
    5. Part III: Miracle of Flight
      1. Chapter 8: Controlling Your Drone
        1. Understanding How Your Drone Is Controlled
        2. Directional Control
        3. Standard Mode
        4. Heads Free Mode
        5. First Person View
        6. Other Flight Modes and Autopilots
      2. Chapter 9: Flight Basics
        1. Pre-Flight Checklist
        2. Flying Your Drone
        3. Knowing What to Do in an Emergency
      3. Chapter 10: Choosing When and Where To Fly
        1. Choosing a Location for New Pilots
        2. Flying Indoors
        3. Flying in Sub-Optimal Weather Conditions
        4. Night Flying
        5. Flying in Populated Areas
      4. Chapter 11: Maintaining Your Drone
        1. Post Flight Maintenance
        2. DIY Repairs and Maintenance
    6. Part IV: Aerial Photos and Videos
      1. Chapter 12: Capturing Beautiful Photos and Video
        1. The Importance of Light
        2. Choosing a Video Resolution
        3. Choosing a Frame Rate
        4. Planning Your Shoot
      2. Chapter 13: Working with Shaky Footage
        1. Using Camera Tricks to Minimize Shake
        2. Stabilizing With a Gimbal
        3. Stabilizing Footage after It Is Shot
      3. Chapter 14: Working with Aerial Images and Footage
        1. Importing Images and Video
        2. Viewing Images and Video
        3. Picture Editing Software
        4. Video Editing Software
        5. Sharing Pictures and Video Online
    7. Part V: The Part of Tens
      1. Chapter 15: Ten Things You Shouldn’t Do with Your Drone
        1. Spying On Your Neighbor
        2. Walk Your Dog
        3. Carry the Ring down the Aisle
        4. Fly in Airport Airspace
        5. Flying Under the Influence
        6. Fly Over the Fences at the White House
        7. Checking Extra Batteries on a Flight
        8. Shoot Down a Drone
        9. Fly Over People
        10. Make Money with Your Drone
      2. Chapter 16: Ten Commercial Uses for Drones
        1. Real Estate
        2. Golfing
        3. Inspections
        4. Agriculture
        5. Security
        6. Weddings & Special Events
        7. Search and Rescue
        8. Special Delivery
        9. Land Surveying
        10. Insurance Claims
      3. Chapter 17: Ten FAA Regulatory Implications
        1. Commercial versus Personal Use
        2. Getting Approval for Commercial Use
        3. Getting Approval For Public Use
        4. Gaining Experimental Certification
        5. Capturing the News With a Drone
        6. Knowing the Proposed Commercial Drone Rules
        7. Knowing the Proposed Rules for Commercial Drone Operators
        8. Following Drone Privacy Laws
        9. Understanding the Proposed Regulations for Micro Drones
        10. Helping with FAA Enforcement
    8. Appendix A: Flight Log
      1. Flight Log
    9. About the Author
    10. Cheat Sheet
    11. Advertisement Page
    12. Connect with Dummies
    13. End User License Agreement

Product information

  • Title: Drones For Dummies
  • Author(s): Mark LaFay
  • Release date: July 2015
  • Publisher(s): For Dummies
  • ISBN: 9781119049784