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What You Need to Know About First-Person View Drones

Few things suggest the future is now quite like the sight of a drone zipping around an infinite blue sky. To get an idea of the size of the global drone market, we need only look at a study published by Statista, a leading and trusted resource for market and consumer data. According to the study, the drone market is on track to surpass $58 billion by 2026. That is no small sum of money, but it’s no surprise the drone market is doing so well. Drones, also known as autonomous aerial vehicles, became a topic of discussion in the tech world after first appearing in several hundred YouTube travel videos. These days, the appeal of these digital birds has expanded well beyond travelers who want to record aerial views of their latest exotic getaway.

 

The Truth About the Drone Market

 

It’s not just teenagers and 20-somethings with an enormous social media following that are buying drones. Many businesses, especially those in the construction, real estate, and marketing sectors, are buying them up just as quickly. And their popularity does not end there. According to Droneblog, a trusted and respected resource for news, product reviews, and everything drone related, the following industries are also buying their fair share:

 

  • Agriculture
  • Law enforcement
  • Photography
  • Security
  • Shipping and logistics

While businesses across many industries own and operate the same drones everyday people own and operate, some are opting for high-end drones instead. For many, that means first-person view drones (FPVs).

 

What Is an FPV Drone?

 

An FPV drone, with FPV meaning first-person view, is a drone that puts you in the virtual driver’s seat whenever you fly them. They allow you to feel like you’re in the cockpit as they take off, ascend, descend, land, and more. And this is what differentiates them from standard drones that only allow you to watch the action from the LCD on the remote. First-person view drones provide a much more immersive experience since they can live-stream everything they capture via their onboard camera directly to your FPV goggles or headset.

 

FPV Drone Flying: How Do FPV Drones Work?

 

First-person view drones look and function like standard drones. Both have a slew of components that work collectively to get them in the air and to allow them to navigate from one spot to another. Some of these components include the following:

 

  • GPS
  • Propellers
  • The battery
  • The flight controller, which comprises multiple sensors
  • The motor

All drones, including FPVs, use propellers to create enough lift to get them off the ground, with each spinning in a different direction to generate enough torque to keep it from spinning around in circles. Once up in the air, the remaining components of the drone come into play. When a drone pilot uses any of the controls on the remote, a signal is sent and received by the drone’s flight controller. That signal controls the propellers, which regulate the drone’s height, direction, speed, and hovering abilities. GPS allows the pilot to know where the drone is at all times. When the pilot is ready to land their drone, they can use their remote to send a signal to the drone’s flight controller to adjust the speed of the propellers and other variables to help get it back down on the ground. That’s the basics of FPV drone flying.

 

Common Use Cases for First-Person View Drones

 

Use cases for high-speed drones, which include FPVs, are many. Some of the more popular ones when it comes to FPV drones specifically include the following:

 

  • Aerial photography for film and journalism purposes
  • Agricultural crop monitoring
  • Building safety inspections
  • Geographic mapping
  • Law enforcement and border control surveillance
  • Shipping and delivery
  • Storm tracking

Safety and Legal Considerations When Operating First-Person View Drone

 

Safety should always be taken into consideration when operating an FPV drone. Exercising good judgment and keeping the drone in view minimizes the risk of it colliding with buildings, signs, and other objects. It also lowers the chances of it falling to the ground and potentially injuring someone. Legally speaking, anyone flying an FPV must avoid the following when they allow their drones to take to the friendly skies:

 

  • Flying higher than 400 feet
  • Flying in or around emergency response sites
  • Flying near other aircraft
  • Flying over stadiums or within five miles of an airport
  • Flying under the influence

In summary, FPVs make it possible to complete tasks faster and save money, making investing in them worthwhile. To learn more about these technological marvels or for help choosing the one that’s right for you, consider speaking with an Aerial Innovations Southeast associate today.

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