Control drones - Easily with Piecarté

Drones are much more than just a toy for grown-ups. With these small flying devices, almost anyone can make their personal dream of flying come true. But controlling a drone is often not so easy. We at Piecarté will show you what's important when it comes to controlling a drone and how you can quickly learn to fly your own.

Important rules for flying drones

Before you can take to the skies with your drone for the first time, you should familiarize yourself with the applicable rules. Besides the basics of how a drone works and how to control it, there are also specific rules in the air that you, as an aspiring drone pilot, should know. These include, in particular:

The legal regulations for operating drones
Basic knowledge about selecting suitable take-off and landing sites
Basic knowledge of weather conditions

It is absolutely essential to take out appropriate drone liability insurance before the first flight. Every drone pilot must be able to provide proof of this insurance in order to have any damages that may be caused settled. Otherwise, a fine may be imposed, and in the event of damage, the pilot will be liable for all costs.

Furthermore, every drone weighing over 250 grams must be clearly identifiable. For this purpose, it must have a fireproof and weatherproof identification plate with the owner's name and address. In addition, the generally applicable rules for operating drones must be observed. These include, in particular:

The permitted flight altitude
Permitted and prohibited flight locations
Flight range and speed
Rules for demonstrating knowledge of drone control (drone license)

While the drone controls are almost identical for all drones, different rules apply depending on the design and weight. A distinction can be made between:

Drones up to 250 grams

Especially lightweight mini-drones are considered toys and are therefore not subject to any special regulations. Only the maximum flight altitude of 30 meters must be observed. Furthermore, you should thoroughly familiarize yourself with how to control the drone beforehand to avoid potential damage or even injury to other people.

Drones weighing between 250 and 2,000 grams

Anyone operating drones in this weight class must be clearly identifiable. This requires attaching a weatherproof and fireproof plate with the drone owner's name and address.

Drones weighing between two and five kilograms

In addition to clearly identifying the owner, the person controlling the drone must also have a drone pilot's license.

Drones over five kilograms

For drones weighing more than five kilograms, not only is controlling the drone usually a bit more complicated, but you also need a starting permit from the aviation authority of the respective federal state for each flight.

Drone control made easy – How even beginners can learn to fly drones

Flying a drone is significantly easier than flying a real airplane, but you should still thoroughly familiarize yourself with how to control it beforehand. Only by controlling the drone correctly can you prevent crashes and any resulting damage. To control a drone, you will need either a separate remote control or an app for your smartphone or tablet.

While beginner drones often only come with an app for drone control, professional drones usually rely on a separate remote control. This allows you to control the drone more precisely than with an app on a smartphone or tablet.

Regardless of whether you control your drone via an app or with a physical remote control – in most cases the most important functions are operated via two control areas:

The left side of the drone controller is usually responsible for changing the altitude. With this, you can control the drone to take off, land, and change its altitude.
You can control the drone's speed using the right side. This allows you to fly faster and slower, as well as forwards and backwards.

If both control areas are moved left or right, you can use them to control the ailerons or rudder of your drone. This allows you to change the flight direction of your drone, for example to fly turns.

Generally speaking, controlling a drone isn't difficult. However, as is so often the case, theory is one thing and practice is another. The most important thing when controlling a drone is developing a feel for its flight characteristics, allowing you to gradually improve your control. Special drone simulators for PC are also useful for practicing beforehand. With these, you can practice your flying skills without the risk of crashing.

The best tips for flying drones

Once you've familiarized yourself with how to control your drone, it's often just a matter of time before you develop an increasingly better feel for its movements in the air. For even more flying fun, we recommend the following tips:

Fully charge your drone's batteries before each flight. This will guarantee long-lasting flying fun.
If you are flying with a camera drone , you should always make sure that the memory card is empty.
To transport your drone, you should use a sturdy container that provides optimal protection. The rotors, in particular, are quite susceptible to damage.
It's best to always have proof of your drone liability insurance with you when you embark on a new flying adventure.
Only launch your drone in good weather conditions. Strong winds or precipitation increase the risk of crashing, no matter how skilled you are at piloting the drone.
It's best to plan your flight route in advance. Keep in mind that the battery capacity of most drones only lasts for about 30 minutes.

Where is the best place to fly drones?

Besides learning how to control a drone, choosing the right flying location is one of the most important aspects. Larger open areas with few obstacles are best suited for this. Generally, drones for private use may not be launched or flown near sensitive areas. These include:

Airports
Public institutions such as hospitals, police stations, or prisons
Nature reserves
Crowds
Private properties and residential areas

Furthermore, you should also find out about any potential no-fly zones beforehand. These can be imposed, for example, over important infrastructure such as power plants. An open field or a designated model aircraft flying field is best. In addition to suitable airspace, you should also find a suitable take-off and landing area for your drone. It's important that this is as level and dry as possible. Ideally, you should use a dedicated drone landing area.

Regardless of where you're controlling your drone from, the maximum flight altitude is 50 meters. An exception applies at designated model aircraft airfields, where flight altitudes of up to 100 meters are permitted. Furthermore, please note that drone flights in Germany are only permitted within visual line of sight.

This means you must keep your drone within visual line of sight at all times and cannot control it solely via GPS. As a rule, your drone should never stray more than 300 meters away from you while you are controlling it. This also makes it easier to find and retrieve the drone after a possible crash.

Drone control: Buy Piecarté drones and accessories

Anyone who wants to fly a drone and enjoy it for a long time should first choose the right drone for their needs. At Piecarté, we offer a variety of drones: from beginner drones to drones for advanced users and professionals. And to ensure you have everything you need for flying your drone, we also have a wide selection of suitable accessories.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Our team looks forward to helping you with your request.