Has anyone here started with a lightweight drone and then moved to a heavier one? By heavier, I mean drones that can carry loads between 3 kg and 8 kg.
Does the experience transfer directly, or is there a learning curve to adjust?
Are you asking if you should get good with a smaller drone before flying something heavy with 3-8 kg in the air?
Lael said:
Are you asking if you should get good with a smaller drone before flying something heavy with 3-8 kg in the air?
I’ve never flown a drone before. I’m asking for someone I know in the geospatial survey field. They’re thinking of buying a $10,000 DJI M350 with RTK or maybe even a higher-end model that can carry up to 8 kg.
This person used to do surveys without drones but now feels pressured to switch to new tech. Would practicing on a $1,000 drone help them get better? Or would it just be a waste of time and money?
The drone would mostly be used in remote areas like Canada’s Northwest Territories.
@Jade
Modern drones pretty much fly themselves. You don’t need much training to control them. Even a kid could manage basic flight.
The tricky part is knowing where and when you’re allowed to fly and getting the right permissions.
@Kade
That’s true, but the software for these drones isn’t super simple. Learning how to use it can take some effort, even for an adult, let alone a kid.
Cruz said:
@Kade
That’s true, but the software for these drones isn’t super simple. Learning how to use it can take some effort, even for an adult, let alone a kid.
Fair point. The software for professional drones can be quite complex.
But the flying part itself? Not hard at all.
@Kade
You seem really knowledgeable! 
I didn’t realize drones had so many automatic features. I thought they were all manually controlled, like the ones in Red Bull events!
Could you explain how the permission process works? For example, if the drone owner has to travel a lot—like starting in Canada—would they need to register and get a license there? And what about traveling to other countries like Brazil or Fiji? Would they need to register again every time?
Would there be a risk of the drone getting confiscated?
Also, the drone they’re looking at is at least $10,000, and the company recommending it suggested a Chinese brand called Yuuniverse Aviation. Ever heard of it? Their website says it’s cutting-edge, but it’s flagged as ‘non-secure.’ [https://www.yuuav.com]
@Jade
Every country has its own rules for drones, and they can be very different. I’m in Germany, so I don’t know much about Canada’s regulations.
@Jade
Practicing with a smaller drone will definitely help. Your friend could probably find a used DJI Phantom or Inspire for a good price. They have similar controls and handling.
@Jade
You can get a Contixo with GPS for about $150 or less. It’s a good way to learn if you’re on a budget.
The more expensive drones are usually easier to fly. They have great stability and obstacle-avoidance features.
Yes… no… maybe. It depends on what you mean by ‘practicing.’ (I haven’t flown a heavy drone myself, but here’s what I know.)
If you’re serious about learning, get a simulator and a controller that matches the heavy drone you want to fly. Stick time always helps, especially for developing situational awareness, and it’s proven that drone pilots tend to learn actual piloting skills faster.
But if you’re focused on a specific type of heavy drone, practicing with a light one might slow you down. Different classes of drones are used for different things, and the flying style changes. For heavy drones, it’s more about safety and protecting the payload than quick movements or tricks.
When drones get bigger, there’s also more pre-flight prep. Small drones are low-risk, but when you’re dealing with big props, expensive batteries, and payloads worth $25,000 or more, everything has to be done by the book.
So it’s worth learning the basics on a light drone, but don’t rely on that alone. It’s better to spend time with simulators and actual heavy drone training if that’s your goal.
@Hollis
Would using something basic like a Flight Simulator with an Xbox controller help? Or do I need to get a full-blown sim?
Honestly, I thought it’d be as easy as switching FPS games… didn’t realize it could be this complicated. 
@Jade
Don’t worry, it’s not that bad! You can start simple. I began with an Xbox controller and a game called ‘DRL’ back in 2019. It’s really good for learning the basics, and it feels the same as flying a real drone.
Once you get the hang of it, the experience becomes intuitive. It’s also really fun, so you’ll probably enjoy the process.
If you’re starting from scratch, I’d recommend focusing on drones first since planes and drones handle differently. A simulator like DRL will cover both and help you figure out what you’re most comfortable with.
Skills do transfer if you fly both drones in the same mode, like angle or acro. But if you’re using acro on a small drone and then switch to a self-stabilizing heavy drone, it won’t feel the same.
Small drones = cheap crashes. Big drones = expensive crashes.
It’s smart to start with something small and durable. A ‘whoop’ drone with prop guards can survive lots of crashes while you learn.
I’m not sure how much practicing with a light drone would help. DJI drones, for example, are super easy to fly. If you’ve ever played video games, you’ll probably pick it up in five minutes.
The controls are pretty standard from a $50 drone to a $3,000 one. Practicing on a cheap drone helps you build muscle memory, so you don’t have to think about what you’re doing in tricky situations.
I spent a lot of time flying an X5C indoors, and it made a huge difference when I started using drones for real estate videos. Even if you rely on automation, being a confident pilot is always a plus.
Start with a simulator to get a feel for the controls. Once you’ve got 30-60 minutes of practice, borrow a small drone for a few hours instead of buying one just to train on.