Drones

The drone's size, weight and flying time

The first thing you need to know before buying a drone is that there are strict regulations on flying. In 2021, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) set a limit of 800 grams and above this weight, all drones must be registered on the public civil aviation website AlphaTango.

Weight and size also comes into question when thinking about transport. Don't forget to consider the additional weight of any rechargeable batteries and the remote control. The larger and heavier your drone, the more complicated it will be to transport. Please note that a very light drone is more sensitive outdoors. Some models weigh less than 100 grams, which makes them a little tricky to fly in the wind.

The third thing to consider before buying a drone is how long it can fly for. Leisure-oriented models can cause frustration, because the smaller ones generally run on batteries with a short battery life. The larger models, which are more technical and expensive, can fly for longer. Note that for beginner drones, the flight time is around 10 minutes, but you can enjoy up to 30 minutes on a single charge for the most advanced mainstream ones. Some models do not have removable batteries and therefore need to be charged via the mains.

It is, however, recommended starting your flying career as a pilot with a small model, which may be a little less fun, but indeed much easier to handle. For less than €100, you can find a drone that is more than satisfactory. This option is good when considering the risk of falling and breaking your drone is high! The other good thing is that parts are relatively easy to change or repair. The use of quadcopters remains accessible to most people, and it is even known to be the easiest type of remote-controlled flying machine in terms of handling. There are different controls, including the 'classic' remote control with varying ranges, or devices such as smartphones or tablets.

Which camera should you choose for your drone ?

For some people, having their smartphone or tablet connected to the main remote control is still the best option. This is useful for controlling both the drone and video and can allow you to be extremely precise! Many models are equipped with a 4K camera or allow you to attach a GoPro to capture every moment in the sky. Pay particular attention to the resolution, the angle of view (possibility of rotation) and the stabilisation (preferably mechanical). 1080p HD is great and provides excellent finishes, but if you are looking for exceptional images, opt for the 4K!