If you have been flying drones for a while, whether it has been professionally or just for fun, chances are you want to take your drone experience to the next level. As an advanced flyer, you have great control over your drone and can maneuver it properly through tight spaces and in changing weather conditions; now you can learn a few tricks to enhance your skills. 

Being a first-time flyer is exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Depending on the drone model you purchased, you can choose different functions and features to use during your flight.

Congratulations! You’ve officially purchased your first drone and you’re eager to fly. You may not know where to get started, so here are the first three steps you should take to prepare for your first flight.

1. Battery Charging

Like most electronics, drone batteries should come with minimal charge out of the box. Even though it might be tempting to fly as soon as you open up your drone, a low battery may cause a faulty flight. If your drone doesn’t land on its own with low battery or if you are not an experienced flyer, then you could potentially crash your drone.

Another reason we recommend charging your drone batteries right away?

Unlike phones and other small electronics, drones can take 60 to 90 minutes to charge. It’s inconvenient to have to stop midflight to charge your batteries, especially if you don’t have backups ready to go.

Our team highly recommends having an additional pair of batteries if you plan to use your drone for photography or other professional uses. You can find a variety of power options here.

2. Firmware Updates

Reliability, safety, and legal compliance—these are the three main reasons why you want to update your drone’s firmware before flying your drone for the first time.

Firmware updates fix bugs in flight algorithms that affect flight stabilization, battery management, and fail-safe landing (if your drone has that feature). Some manufacturers also push updated airport and no-fly zones, which will keep you from flying near restricted areas.
Compass calibration is also an important update that is pushed through the latest firmware, especially for drones that have a “return home” feature, like the DJI Mavic 2 and the DJI Mini 2.

Drones repairs can be costly; updated firmware is crucial to keeping your drone in the sky and avoiding a crash that could significantly damage your equipment. 

Drone wedding photography and videography are rising in popularity, with many couples opting to have dynamic, aerial shots and footage of their special day.

As the popularity of drone photography increases, you may want to consider applying your drone skills to establish a side hustle—who knows? You may even start a full-blown business.
Drone Nerds has compiled a list of tips and useful information to get you started on your drone photography journey.

Flying on a drone almost anywhere, whether it is in your backyard or at the beach, is fun and enjoyable. Now imagine the feeling of an adrenaline rush while speeding down the picturesque coast of Rhode Island or soaring over active volcanoes in Alaska, all in a first-person view.

Folks who buy a Mavic Mini aren’t likely to have owned another drone and probably don’t feel the need for a bigger, more sophisticated model. But it’s also unlikely they know the accessories needed to get the most out of their drone.

Folks who buy a Mavic Mini aren’t likely to have owned another drone and probably don’t feel the need for a bigger, more sophisticated model. But it’s also unlikely they know the accessories needed to get the most out of their drone.