Most gimbals use a 3-axis system that allows for yaw (rotational stabilization), pitch (holding the horizon during forward and backward movement), and roll (holding the horizon during side-to-side movement). To compensate, the camera is mounted to a gimbal: a device that isolates it from the vibration and movement of the drone. Most drones actually move quite a bit as they maneuver around or make corrections to maintain position. If you’re planning to take photos or videos from the air, it’s critical that your camera remain as steady as possible. Numerous other functions are available through the touch screen. In addition to sticks to control the drone's movement, most flight controllers include additional inputs that allow for direct control of things like camera movement and shutter/record buttons. In addition to seeing a live video feed, the screen allows you to monitor telemetry from the aircraft and includes all the controls you would expect for photography such as custom WB, bracketing, shooting style, and other camera settings. In many cases, the screen is just an Android or iOS device running a control app that you’ve installed and paired with the controller, though some models, such as the DJI Phantom 4 Pro+ and Yuneec Typhoon 4K, have their own built-in screens. The same radio signal used for command and control also allows the video signal to be fed from the drone to the controller’s screen, providing a real-time view for shooting photos or video. Additional inputs allow you to control the camera and other features specific to the model you’re flying. Input from the sticks on the flight controller sends signals to the aircraft directing it to adjust the speed controllers on each motor, allowing you to maneuver the drone. The flight controller is your direct line of command to the drone, and the two are linked using a radio control system, typically at 2.4 or 5.8 GHz. Each motor has a corresponding speed controller unit that allows for slight adjustments in the speed of the rotor by varying the speed of the individual motors relative to one another, it's possible to induce pitch, yaw, roll and altitude.

The drone's propellers are driven by brushless motors that spin at very high speed to produce the thrust required to fly. Alternatively, some will use a folding propeller system.Ī twist-lock prop on the DJI Phantom 4 Pro (L) and a foldable prop on the DJI Mavic Pro (R). Most models use removable propellers made from a plastic/fiberglass composite that have a simple twist locking system to hold the propeller in place. Today, all multi-rotor drone systems designed for photo and video use a fixed-pitch propeller system. That’s a lot, so let’s break it down! The aircraftĪt the core of any system is the aircraft, and most consumer and prosumer drones today are quadcopters (though there are exceptions). This includes GPS for tracking the drone’s position, various sensors to help avoid unwanted collisions, and intelligent flight modes that can automatically focus on a point of interest or track a moving subject. Most also include a dedicated controller, though some less expensive consumer models can be controlled using only a smartphone.įrom the outside, most drones appear to be simple devices, but they’re actually built around some fairly advanced technology that makes them easier to fly. In addition to the aircraft, they’ll generally include a lithium polymer battery for power, a camera mounted on a stabilized gimbal, and a radio communication system. For convenience, we’ll use the word drone throughout this article.Įvery drone system is a bit different, but there are some basic things most have in common. The words drone and UAV are largely interchangeable as they both refer to just the aircraft, while UAS refers to the entire system.

While it’s common to refer to a remote-controlled aircraft as a drone, you may also run into the terms UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) or UAS (unmanned aircraft system), and professional pilots usually prefer to use these descriptors. Let’s get some vocabulary out of the way.

In parts two and three, we’ll talk about how to select the best drone to meet your needs, and what you need to know about safety before your first flight. In this article, the first of a three-part series, we’ll familiarize you with the basic features and components that comprise most consumer drone systems. If you’ve never flown one before, drones have the potential to be a bit intimidating.

Drone definition and functions