Got Your First Drone? Most Important Things to Know in 2024!

I updated this video from a few years ago, as this is the time of year when most people get their first drone. Here are some important tips to know before you get flying your first drone.
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[@readysetdrone]

Great tips, Russ. Your point about the footage not necessarily needing to look like drone footage really highlights that the drone is just a tool as a means to the end. 👍

[@51Drones]

Hey Kelly! 🤛🏻

[@SplitSniper7]

This came at the perfect time as im ordering my first drone later today. Thank you!!!!

[@fredmunson8603]

Russ, this is great advice for all new drone pilots. When I first started I was nervous about flying and it made me not enjoy the experience of flying. After three years I can relax and have fun shooting videos of my mountain hikes to share with others who can not get out.

[@frankielov]

Thanks for sharing 👍🏽

[@pshearduk]

Some great points mentioned here. Ty

[@randall811]

Appreciate the info,I learn from every video I watch even even thought I am comfortable flying now, thanks again

[@NCislander]

Thanks for your channel, recent Subscriber. Awaiting delivery of my first drone. Eager to begin learning the flying basics.

[@terryrccrazy6993]

Great information, thanks

[@tikoy1955]

Good informational video and tips.

[@jonahkaiguam]

Russ right here is one of my go-tos for drone related content. Awesome video tutorial as always Russ....😎

[@IsaacGilliland-n9j]

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP YOUR THE BEST 🙂😀

[@troytanner9838]

Great video

[@processtechnique]

Great video, Russ. I am experienced so don't need the tuition but well done for providing the info for the newer initiates to the hobby (or business in the future). We seem to be getting bogged down with all of the bad stuff which is threatening the hobby at the moment, so this comes as a breath of fresh air. Keep up the good work and greetings from the UK 🇬🇧

[@your_average_joe5781]

I've had my mini 4 pro for 9 months now without a crash ✅ Just love it !!

[@RonaldBrown59]

My first drone was the Phantom 4 and I must have watched at least 30 videos on how to fly before I even purchased it. Great tips Russ, thanks for sharing.

[@chrishaines1432]

Thanks for the advice. Relatively new to flying camera drones. My first surprise with them is just how fast they are, particularly vertical speed. I have a Air 3 and I so had to adjust how heavy I am on the controls in regards to vertical speeds. As you did ask for suggestions for future back to basics videos, I would say you couldn't go wrong with one describing what files are saved to your DJI drone (extension names etc), and what to expect when you transfer them to a PC. Which are the high res ones, what software is best to view them on and so on. Regardless of the topic, look forward to your next video.

[@ditty365]

Thx!!!!!

[@MrMissabe]

Another good tip is to take the TRUST test before flying.

[@drink15]

Care to explain or do you want to leave it a mystery?

[@thedoorider]

@@drink15 You can find the answer here. www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers/knowledge_test_updates

[@MrMissabe]

@@drink15 FAA TRUST test for all drone pilots to know the basic rules of the air before flying. A requirement for all drone pilots and good for beginners to get a feel for flying safely. Free and fast. www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers/knowledge_test_updates

[@HowlingFrog]

@@drink15 I'm wondering too...

[@elsabiopr]

TRUST is a proficiency test given by the FAA. It's free and it gives you a knowledge of some drone aspects

[@frankholden237]

When recovering my drone I always fly the last little bit backwards. Then 'left' is 'left' on the controls and 'right' is 'right' . Also comes in handy when landing on a yacht or similar as mine at least don't have rear looking proximity sensors.

[@Mr._Sky_Fly]

Another great informative video Russ! Even after almost 4 years of flying I still appreciate & heed your advice.. The only thing I would maybe suggest (If you're a very first time flyer that is..) is starting with a dirt cheap non-gps drone just to fly around the house or yard to get the 'feel' of how a drone works.. I give big credit to that for teaching me the essentials of basic flying and maneuverability In possible dangerous flying situations that may come up while flying in open space/areas at a later date using a better drone.

[@jmreinke]

Russ - there wasn't a link (where you pointed) in the video to the list of tutorial videos, and I don't see it above, either. I'm a very new drone owner (Mini 4 Pro), so I could use those videos! Thanks!

[@jacksonmacd]

Been flying about 18 months, and really appreciate your videos. While you mentioned it briefly, i suggest you emphasize the initial flights should have the drone facing away, especially for takeoff and landing. Turn it around only after becoming comfortable with the basic stick movements.

[@alanslade2319]

That's what I was looking for, just ordered my first Holystone £120 🇬🇧. All I here is all the cheaper drones are not real 4k , and I get that , because I'm not really bothered about that quality that much at the moment I just want to fly, and work my way up . Started watching your channel about 2 weeks ago and yes you can fly, great show thanks again for going to the beginning with use newbie. Just before I go I sorry But I found this fella on KZbin and I think he's Pakistan or Indian I think it's Pakistan , with the mini DJI 3 . and he flew his drone 12000 metres away from him and nearly back , so sorry for not remembering his channel now. If I find it I'll let you know, sorry for the tutorial, But that's amazing.thanks again I'm subscribed and locked in , cheers Alan 💯👍

[@ChipLohman]

Excellent. Thanks for not forgetting the "freshman class." 😇

[@almeisam]

The way I got over the fear of flying a camera drone was to first get a little toy one (Potensic A20) and flying it inside to get completely used to controlling it. Since it's not a GPS drone, it wanders, so that also comes in handy in learning to control it. The biggest problem I have now is all the parks near me ban drones.

[@jlutz63]

When I first got my drone 2.5 years ago, I was scared that I was going to crash it but it ended up being fine. Warm yourself up to the drone and then you can do more types of shots. Flying over water is not as bad as it seems long as if you watch your battery life.

[@wadefortune7874]

Oh brother you are sooo right. New pilots should be a bit scared and careful. It does take time and practice to be a great or good pilot and safe pilot. Just put in the time without distractions. Later, your skill will handle whatever happens. Remember to take the whole thing serious! Yes drones are crazy fun but they are not toys! 45 mph with sharp blades can really ruin a day if there is trouble. thanks Russ

[@ceciliahung3597]

Hi Russ, where’s the link to great drone tutorials you mentioned? Thank you

[@WitchidWitchid]

I was lucky. I flew, and still fly, single rotor RC helicopters for years so when I got my first quad drone I was like, "hey, this thing doesn't need me, it flies itself", I could fly it with my eyes closed. But, in the case of a beginner who may have never flown anything before those first few flights can be a bit intimidating and nerve racking.

[@Hotwire_RCTrix]

Most beginners get into trouble because they don't study their instruments. Battery level, GPS location, signal strength, orientation and most importantly where the drone shows it's position on the map. The last on is essential and the DJI app will tell you to check this because it's more important than anything else. It needs to know where it is to come back. When returning to home DON'T TOUCH THE STICKS , unless you are experienced. RTH is the oldest and most reliable function on any drone with GPS. Even the drones I built 15 years ago did RTH well. When in doubt RTH.

[@asgdrones2023]

Thanjs for information, Ari Galvão of Manaus.Am.Brasil

[@ditty365]

I am getting more airtime!!!

[@chi-townmuscle]

Can you make a video on how to fly your drone and do a 360 around an object?

[@raypierce5818]

Lol… Practice! First, find a clear open space and place an object in the center. Practice very slowly around 10’ - 12’ off the ground. A circle facing the object is basically just a crab (flying sideways) and yaw turn (rotating on the vertical axis) which takes two simultaneous stick controls. You’ll need to learn the skill of monitoring and responding to the movements with both sticks individually. Because of wind and other factors, you can’t simply get both sticks into the optimum positions and hold them there. If you’re flying into the wind it will require a little more stick input then when you’re flying downwind. If you’re flying in Mode 2 (which I like the best) a clockwise circle is just pushing both stick in towards the center slightly making sure it’s not moving up or down as well (Counter Clockwise would be pulling both sticks apart). In the beginning it’s always better to watch the drone than the monitor as it’s easier to see discrepancies in the flight. Just always start slope and build up both height and speed over time. If it goes wrong at any time, just ;let go over both sticks and it should stop and hover so you can regain control. Good Luck!

[@uroshavalon]

Amazingly simple explanations, thank you. Have a question. For a total beginner which DJI (or other) model you recommend which has a decent camera for an average filmmaker who will use drone as an additional source of footage (4K)?

[@driewiel]

DJI Air 3. But learn to fly first with a cheap drone.

[@driewiel]

Of course these days you can get a brushless GPS drone with true 2k stabilized video for $100.

[@ronaldwilson9525]

Two years after my first drone my Mini 2. I still have it and fly it every once in awhile. You can recover after a crash and total loss. I did that with my late laminated Air 2S. Learned from my mistakes and fly my Air 3 with confidence.

[@rongivon8548]

Does the Dji Mini 4k have a limited size of the sd card?

[@Wreckedchevy]

Now does flying the og mini in stronger wind then it could handle count as fly away lol.

[@51Drones]

Lol. Yep!

[@FREEDOMFPV84]

This is where I started flying GPS drones now I'm addicted to fpv building,fixing,programming I love ot all this is a great place to start I learned alot from your channels thanks man

[@w.e.s.]

What does 51 stand for

[@rickletcher807]

👍

[@spaceweasel]

Are the battery's firmwares being updated with the updates? If yes, do we need to run the update with each battery, in turn?

[@51Drones]

Yes! Each battery

[@bobbybilliot3797]

What would be a good height to start with

[@driewiel]

1 meter.

[@joeguzman3558]

I'm an old fart and live off the grid, and I need a drone (never had one ). The reason is because sometimes when I go to the river to get water, I've seen bears and they always take off running but I've seen wolf's too and those don't run all the time, si with a drone I can scout the are before going there, what drone do you recommend for under $1000 ? Thank you very much for your time

[@MountaineerFPV]

Im trying to figure out how i can do a mattyflip with my Mini3 Pro

[@FPVmewby]

up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, Thank me later lol 😅

[@bitsbytes123]

Not possible

[@IslandDigital]

Is there such a “mode” that no matter which way my drone is facing, my sticks will always act the same. Forward is forward Back/back etc. ? I hope you understand what I’m trying to say. I have problems when drone is far away still in line of sight but I have to keep looking at video to spin it around to come back.

[@51Drones]

Unfortunately no.

[@cgcAlikhani]

3 months of wathing tutorials for air 3 (almost every video about air 3) still not having money to buy one😢

[@eddale5557]

I am most terrified of all the constant new "rules" for drones who came out all the time soon i gonn distch the whole drone because of all insane restriktions!

[@born2bwildne744]

25% of pilots have experienced fly aways?? Whoa !! That might be very intimidating to a new pilot. I had no idea the incident rate was that high !!

[@Pepesplants]

Most fly away events are due to flying under higher than normal winds correct?

[@51Drones]

I would suspect so.

[@raypierce5818]

@@51DronesI typically have a wind sock when I’m doing multi drone shows or at the very least, a small anemometer with me for commercial work. For winds aloft, I sometimes have a small helium tank and some balloons. That was an old trick I learned firing pyro. Just launch the balloon and watch where it travels up to 400’.

[@wildwoodsoundshouseconcert8324]

Should I get a drone that is made not to run into anything? I am now in the market for one. Yes I am worried about flying but won't learn anything without trying. I would love to add drone footage to my photos and videos. I am retired and am camping as my retirement. My You tube channel is Raven Trails / Truck Camping Thank you for your help... Stephen

[@thedoorider]

explant!

[@aloeisthestuff9622]

Those Beautiful Aerial masterpieces you speak of Just Don't exist on KZbin without it being an Influencer or someone who Earns big coin in the Pic/Vid world. BTW: I thought all the vids lately were government ban Fear Fear Fear..

[@TheBigb1973]

I sold my drone and won't buy another one until I know if they banned dji or not. I've been reading that current drones will not fly in the future if this passes. 😡

[@rayjermyn4541]

I'm compelled to say, I understand your reasoning, but disagree. You just can't worry about stuff you have little control over in 1-2 years. Enjoy today, have fun, take images or video you can look back on

[@tonyowen116]

Would like to offer a suggestion for a true beginner (even some not so new drone pilots). Buy a micro drone like the Holy Stone HS210, which you can fly indoors. As there is no screen on the controller, your sole visual reference is the drone. You can get quite proficient at controlling this mini drone, creating all sorts of basic and challenging situations. One I do is fly backwards doing an arcing turn into the kitchen. The controlling of this mini drone in various flight regimes, will translate quite quickly to a bigger drone. Also these mini drones can help keep ones flying skills honed, if weather binds one inside for an extended period; or if you have not flown your big drone in a while. OH! Don't fly these mini drones outside! They will be gone in a heart beat, if there is any breeze present. Even a small draft inside can cause them to drift. Good practice though for maintaining control.

[@driewiel]

JJRC H36. $15. No GPS, no optical flow, not even altitude hold. That's how you learn to fly.

[@disgruntledegghead6923]

But Russ, my drone doesn't have that attitude meter at the bottom left. Is it just angry all the time? Perhaps using it to chop up the carpenter bees that were eating my barn header upset it.

[@The_DroneKid]

Pin

[@dandahermitseals5582]

Also no cell phone or screen can be seen in the daylight. So pointless.

[@SKYGUY1]

I can see my Samsung screen at high noon. Just adjust it to full bright.

[@Kampala69]

Don't forget anti-Karen equipment!

[@ramikais9212]

Hello man i’m just wondering if their’s anyway to contact you, i need your advice with an issue that happened with me concerning the dji mini 4 pro drone that i just bought and when i contact the company i didnt get any convincing responce

[@dannyg402012]

No, I had a DJI Mini 2. Was never afraid to fly it and taught myself how to fly it and never crashed it. Want another Drone so bad, almost got a Mini 4 Pro used with less than 2 hours flight time for $800. Fly more kit and screen. Holding off since I don't trust our government with the upcoming Drone Ban.

[@919Drones]

Russ, could you do a video to save flight logs so that we can view them. Thank You.