book

Drones For Dummies

by Mark LaFay

July 2015

Beginner

288 pages

6h 41m

English

For Dummies

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About This BookFoolish AssumptionsHow This Book Is OrganizedIcons Used in This BookBeyond the BookWhere to Go from Here
What Are Drones?Drones and the MilitaryGrowth in Consumer DronesPopular Uses for DronesHigh-Flying Drone Companies
Knowing Where to StartDrones with Integrated CamerasDrones with Add-On Camera SupportFlight ControlsBatteriesOther Important FeaturesWhere to Buy Your Drone
Knowing How You Will Use Your CameraDetermining What Your Drone SupportsWeight Is EverythingDigital Camera TechnologyBalancing Features and Price
Finding and Navigating Online CommunitiesUsing Social Media to Meet Drone EnthusiastsGetting Drone News with Google Alerts
Unboxing Your DroneAssembling Your DroneGetting Familiar with Your Aerial Camera
Avoiding Propeller InjuriesReducing the Risk of Drone CrashesSafely Handling Lithium Polymer Batteries

Know Before You Fly in the United StatesTaking Matters Into Your Own HandsKnowing the Laws in Other Countries
Understanding How Your Drone Is ControlledDirectional ControlStandard ModeHeads Free ModeFirst Person ViewOther Flight Modes and Autopilots
Pre-Flight ChecklistFlying Your DroneKnowing What to Do in an Emergency
Choosing a Location for New PilotsFlying IndoorsFlying in Sub-Optimal Weather ConditionsNight FlyingFlying in Populated Areas
Post Flight MaintenanceDIY Repairs and Maintenance
The Importance of LightChoosing a Video ResolutionChoosing a Frame RatePlanning Your Shoot
Using Camera Tricks to Minimize ShakeStabilizing With a GimbalStabilizing Footage after It Is Shot
Importing Images and VideoViewing Images and VideoPicture Editing SoftwareVideo Editing SoftwareSharing Pictures and Video Online
Spying On Your NeighborWalk Your DogCarry the Ring down the AisleFly in Airport AirspaceFlying Under the InfluenceFly Over the Fences at the White HouseChecking Extra Batteries on a FlightShoot Down a DroneFly Over PeopleMake Money with Your Drone
Real EstateGolfingInspectionsAgricultureSecurityWeddings & Special EventsSearch and RescueSpecial DeliveryLand SurveyingInsurance Claims
Commercial versus Personal UseGetting Approval for Commercial UseGetting Approval For Public UseGaining Experimental CertificationCapturing the News With a DroneKnowing the Proposed Commercial Drone RulesKnowing the Proposed Rules for Commercial Drone OperatorsFollowing Drone Privacy LawsUnderstanding the Proposed Regulations for Micro DronesHelping with FAA Enforcement
Flight Log

Content preview from Drones For Dummies

Chapter 2

Picking the Drone That’s Right for You

In This Chapter

Starting the selection process

Understanding the advantages of drones with integrated cameras

Considering the benefits of drones with add-on camera support

Accounting for batteries and flight controls

Buying your drone

Shopping for a drone can be a daunting task. There are several types of drones to choose from, with jargon-rich names like DJI Phantom 2 Vision, or Parrot AR Drone 2.0. What’s more, you won’t find many physical locations designed specifically for trying before you buy. And there also are several different one-off startup companies out there offering great products, but they aren’t grouped into one location. You need to do some work to ensure that you buy the drone that best suits your needs.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to assume the crash position before we even get airborne! This chapter is designed to help you do the best research possible. First, you get your head around how you intend to use your ...