I upgraded from the first-gen Inspire to the original Mavic, and now I’ve got the Air 3S. It’s been years since I last flew a drone, and I’m wondering how much the rules have changed since about 8 years ago. I’ll mainly use this in my home country, where restrictions are pretty lax. Not planning to use it much here in the US, just test flights. What should I know?
If your home country has very few restrictions, then nothing much has changed for you.
Ellis said:
If your home country has very few restrictions, then nothing much has changed for you.
The rules are mostly the same, but it’s worth checking them just to be sure. One thing I’ve noticed is that people seem to prefer smaller drones that don’t attract attention. I also have an Air 3S and have only flown it a couple of times so far. It’s a little loud, but honestly, once it’s in the air, barely anyone notices it. Those who do usually just wave or think it’s cool if they can even spot it.
I’ve never had a bad experience with anyone, but I guess it depends on where you live. People in my area in Florida are pretty laid-back about drones. Have fun, fly safe, and enjoy the drone! The 3x camera is awesome. I’d suggest watching some tips and tricks videos because there are a lot of features in the software that aren’t obvious at first glance.
Edit: I just realized I posted this as a reply when I meant for it to be its own comment, but oh well, it’s fine!
@Hale
Completely agree with you.
One thing to add: just don’t fly like a jerk. Hovering outside windows, flying low over backyards, or hovering over groups of people is a big no-no. Not only is it illegal in some places, but it also annoys people. If your drone’s noise is disturbing or feels like it’s invading someone’s personal space, people will get upset.
If you avoid doing that, most people either won’t care or will think it’s cool.
And if you’re feeling friendly, try this: approach people and say, ‘Hey, I’m planning to fly my drone here to take some shots of (whatever you’re photographing). I’m not going to include your property in my photos, but if you’d like, I can take a few pictures of it and send them to you.’ You’ll probably avoid issues, and you might even make some new friends.
@Teal
This is great advice! While knowing the laws is important, it’s just as important to use common sense and be considerate. Respect people’s privacy and give them a heads-up if you think your drone might bother them. I also love that last tip. Not everyone has a drone, and you can give them a unique perspective they wouldn’t get otherwise.
@Teal
Thanks! I’ll definitely keep that in mind.
@Hale
Thanks! I’m still in the US for now, just doing test flights. I’ve been watching a lot of beginner tutorials and legal videos on YouTube to catch up, since it’s been years since I last flew a drone.
@Davin
Here’s something to note: as of April 6th, 2021, you no longer need a Part 107.29 waiver to fly at night. Recreational pilots can fly at night as long as their drone has anti-collision lights visible from 3 miles away. A red or white strobe works, but red is less disruptive. This might be worth looking into since the Air 3S has features like lidar for safer night flights, a bigger sensor for better night shots, and upgraded exposure settings for long-exposure photos of cities or the sky.