Safe Drone Flight - Procedures & Practices for New Pilots

Despite what some drone manufacturer marketing materials may claim, flying a drone is a complicated task. While drones may be able to "fly themselves" using Artificial Intelligence and collision avoidance sensors, relying on them to keep you and those around you safe is a poor strategy. Experienced drone pilots understand the many variables that flying entails. There is no substitute for experience, but we need to walk before we run (or fly). Mastering these drone skills takes time and thought, and that is where this course comes in.

I have been a licensed drone pilot since September of 2016. I have been teaching drone courses at the University level for 5 years. I have logged hundreds of flight hours, both recreationally and professionally. In short, I'm an experienced drone pilot who loves the technology and thoroughly enjoys the technical and creative nature of the game. I've walked this road myself and I love teaching students how to use this amazing and fun technology for good.

In this course, we walk through the basics of flying your drone with a focus on safety. As noted above, there is no substitute for experience. Yet we are all inexperienced pilots when we first begin. This doesn't mean that we are being reckless or are doomed to crash our new drones a few times. However, it does mean that we need to rely on planning, research and patience more than we normally might. This class is designed to give you a lot to think about and introduce you to concepts that you might not have otherwise considered. It's better to think about potential situations prior to a flight rather than during the flight, even more so when things get hairy (and they eventually will.)

The main focus in this course is learning to fly safely. I've also included a series of lectures to get you familiar with the FAA regulations that will impact your flights. With practice and time, you can level up your drone skills so you can use your creative skills to potentially produce income. Through careful planning, intentional practice and sticking to proper procedures, you'll be flying high in no time!

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