Imagine being a pilot, carrying hundreds of passengers to their destination, being responsible for all of them. Meanwhile, you’re manning one of the biggest machines there is, getting a birds-eye view of the entire world. What a feeling.
While we all can’t be pilots, after all, it is a difficult job, thanks to the different types of drones we can come close. With drones, we can quickly soar to heights of nearly 400 feet and fly over and through anything, giving us the ability to call ourselves pilots even if it’s not a 90,000-pound machine.
In the past, drones were mostly used for surveillance by military operations, but now, thanks to innovative minds in the drone industry and new laws, drones are used for much more and anyone can fly one for remote sensing, movie making, real estate, and of course for recreational purposes.
If you’re looking into drones as a hobby or profession, and even if you already have a bit of knowledge and have flown drones before, keep reading because this guide will show you that there are many more than you typically know.
Multi-Rotor Drones
When you see ‘rotor’, it means propellers and multi-rotor drones usually have 4. The rotors help keep the drone balanced while hovering. These drones, which are commercially available, provide good stability but because of the 4 rotors it uses more energy and most can only fly for 30 minutes.
There are several types of multi-rotor drones to choose from:
Small Drones
These are between 20 and 80 inches and are less expensive. They are only for recreational use and don’t give the same reliability as larger ones.
For example, because these drones are lighter they have less stability so it’ll be difficult to take ideal photos. These drones are typically for beginners or simple family use.
While it’s true that larger drones can take better photos, small drones are being developed to fit great power into tiny bodies. For example, at DrDrone.ca you can find the new DJI Mini 2, which in some cases can be as great as even the largest drones.
GPS Drones
These are made especially for GPS purposes. They work by connecting to satellites through GPS and then map out for the rest of their flight.
They collect information about the setting which you can use for your own needs. They are great for topography.
These drones use a lot of energy but are programmed to return ‘back to base’ when running low or when they reach the end of their range.
Photography Drones
These are used for world-class ariel videography. While smaller drones can do that too, these drones are designed for photography.
These drones shoot in 4k and are usually used for movies or at sporting events. However, hobbyists with a big budget can fly them too.
Micro Drones
These are the smallest drones available and can be as tiny as 1″ x 4″, the definition of a fly on the wall. Recreationally, they are used for quick and fun flights, but even militaries use them for under-the-radar operations.
Racing Drones
These are a bit larger than micro drones but much smaller than your typical multi-rotor drones. These are a lot of fun for hobbyists, they can fly up to 60mph and you can build one from scratch and even attach a GoPro. These drones are used for a few short races and then need to be recharged.
These multi-rotor drones are what you’ll typically see around your neighborhood parks, beautiful landscapes, or sporting events and can cost anywhere between $100 to $25,000.
They are considered to be commercial, meaning you can normally buy them from a specialty drone establishment or your local electronic store.
Fixed Wing Drones
These drones don’t have rotors so flying these are more like flying miniature airplanes rather than helicopters. These rely on their wings to keep going forward and not propellors which means they use much less energy.
Some can run on gas and are able to fly for up to 16 hours. The drawbacks are that they can’t hover and are much more difficult to land, it takes professional precision.
Hybrid Fixed-Winged Drones, meaning they have propellors and can operate like multi-rotor drones, are a new development for ariel drones. These styles of drones are not yet widely available but many people like the best of both worlds so you could see more of them in the near future.
Fixed-Wing Drones and their hybrid versions can come in varying sizes and can be used for similar goals as multi-rotor however they generally cost more and are less popular at the moment.
Military Drones
While you may not be signing up for the military any time soon, this is a guide on all types of drones. You might find some of these drones interesting because they can be used for stealth or as decoys, or you might remember them from video games.
Tactical Drones
These are around 5 feet and are used to help soldiers navigate an area before moving forward, they can see at night with infrared and are equipped with GPS. These aren’t so high-tech and require basic training to control.
Large Combat Drones
Probably what you imagine when you hear ‘military drones’. These are up to 36 feet and are not handheld.
They are able to fly for 14 hours and cover thousands of miles. They also have laser-guided missiles for purposes you can imagine.
Target and Decoy Drones
These are used to throw off opposition militaries, their purpose is to be a real striking drone. It’s not easy to tell the difference, most Target and Decoy Drones can simulate incoming missiles and draw fire.
These are meant to be destroyed but can sometimes give away an opposition’s location.
Drone Training For All Types of Drones
Being able to fly a drone is also a special skill that can be put on a resume for certain jobs. There are training courses to take that’ll help you become an expert in no time.
Ready For Take-Off
You’re ready to have your chance at being a pilot. Now, out of all the types of drones, you need to choose the best one for you and your skills. Happy flying!
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