5 things you need for a good drone flight

We have learned that there are various types of drone pilots:

• those who become one out of passion (and possibly invest time, effort and money) so that it also becomes a profession;
• those who instead aim straight at the profession because they know how much in demand SAPR (remotely piloted aircraft systems) operators will be in the coming years;
• those who want to broaden the artistic potential of their shots by using an innovative product for an ancient technique (aerial photography);
• model-making enthusiasts who can't resist the appeal of these tools.
  
  

But all true drone pilots have 3 things in common

• authorization from ENAC (the Italian civil aviation authority) in order to fly;
• awareness of the rules on multicopters in flight;
• a recognized device.

For each of these types of SAPR operator there are different kinds of drones, of different sizes, costs and optional extras, but there are some essential and recommended elements for all pilots. Let's look at them together:

1 - A battery with satisfactory life

What is the right battery life? It ranges from a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 25 minutes, and it is always a good idea to carry a second battery as a spare.
The right battery obviously depends on the type of service and shooting to be carried out, so it is wise to choose a main battery and a spare that won't leave you grounded halfway through the job.

2 - A good flight terminator

Essential for safe flight (for others and for the pilot's criminal record), as the name itself says, it is a device that lets you, with a simple button, stop all the operations and functions of your aircraft.
Essentially, wherever it is, the drone stops working and falls inside the operating area already secured beforehand by the operators. It should be activated and used when external conditions no longer allow you to keep safe control of your aircraft, for example during a sudden solar storm or in the case of total loss of control due to extreme events.
Another case in which using the flight terminator may be practically unavoidable is when the drone runs into a magnetic field or when a fault caused by poor maintenance occurs, resulting in loss of contact with the radio controls.

You may also be interested in the article Flight terminator: what it is and when to use it

3 - Good lighting

The ideal is good natural lighting, of course! But what to do in the absence of natural daylight and public artificial night lighting? In these cases you need to light up your drone!
There are countless reasons why it may be essential to fly at night in very dark areas, just think of the mapping of construction sites or agricultural areas, saving the time and costs of labor and of the old methods of mapping, irrigating and tending the land.
Some drones already come with safety lights or special lighting systems, while on others they have to be added later as optional extras. Obviously the best and most desirable thing is always to have your multicopter designed and built around your own usage needs.

You may also be interested in the article Agricultural maps to feed the planet without making it sick: 3 modern tools

4 - A good camera system

Obvious? Not quite.
Cheaper multicopters often don't have a camera suited to every purpose, especially for jobs that require maximum precision.
The best value for money for mid-range multicopters is the GoPro. Larger drones can handle a higher payload and can therefore carry highly professional cameras such as the Canon EOS 5D Mark III. But beware, the camera is not all you need for good video and good work. The gimbal is also very important! If it is not well calibrated and is not the perfect one for the drone and the camera, the final result of the footage will not be stable, but will suffer from an extremely annoying 'jitter' effect.

5 - Parachute

Let's be honest: a drone is expensive, and working with one takes commitment. And all this with the awareness of dealing with a tool constantly exposed to the risk of breakage, damage, or minor accidents.
One way to reduce the chances of damage that would require long and costly maintenance is certainly to rely on a good parachute.

A good parachute can in fact slow the multicopter's descent to the ground in case of failure, limit damage on impact, and prevent the drone from leaving the V70 cylinder (200 m radius and 70 m height).
There are different types on the market, with different features.

And you, do you have all these accessories? Do you think there is another one that is essential, or one you even consider more important than these?