Flying the Brilliant Snaptain SP500: A Beginner's Guide

When you're the proud new owner of a drone, you're probably wondering where you can get started flying. In general, drones are fairly easy for beginners to learn but you want to make sure that you're following general guidelines to keep the drone safe and also avoid breaking any local or federal laws regarding drones. Make sure that you follow these guidelines for flying your SNAPTAIN SP500 or similar drone when you're getting started.

Getting Started with Your Drone

Before you take to the skies, you probably need to do some work regarding drone setup. Make sure to verify if the remote control comes with the drone or if you use a connected app on a smart device. Drones such as the SNAPTAIN SP500 have a dedicated remote control. You'll also want to make sure that you have additional supplies for your drone.

Most drones don't come with replacement parts but that certainly doesn't mean you can't get them before getting started though! The two supplies that are definitely must-haves are extra batteries and extra propellers. Clumsy liftoffs and landings often damage the propellers but they're easy to replace. You may not get very much time on a single set of batteries as well so make sure to bring extra with you. You'll be much happier with your flying experience when you have these supplies handy!

License and Registration

When it comes to following regulations regarding your drone, you probably don't need a pilot's license to fly a basic drone. Any toy class drone that weighs less than 0.55 lbs can be flown in open areas and away from airports and buildings without a license. You can't fly over the top of people. You also will have to pay attention to certain restrictions in flight. Drones cannot be flown over 400 ft and you have to keep in sight of the drone at all times. In addition to being responsible for normal maintenance, you'll need to ensure that you keep these rules in mind.

Depending on your drone, you may or may not need to be registered. If your drone is light and you're just going to be flying on your property or in an open space, then you won't need to register it with the FAA. However, all drones that are flown within controlled airspace need to be authorized. If you live near an airport or are in a major city, you'll probably need to get this time. The process is fairly simple and you'll attach the registration number to your drone. Make sure to review the guidelines if unsure about this necessity.

Practice Makes Perfect

Although most people can learn how to fly drones fairly easily, it does take some time and effort to master. The SNAPTAIN SP500 takes some of the guesswork out of flying with a simple one-key take-off and landing function. The two speed modes allow you to start slowly and then build up speed as you grow in confidence. Practice by using the basic settings such as the headless mode. Instead of turning your drone, it allows you to treat any side of the drone as forward so it's a great way to get started. After you've mastered this, then change back to regular mode where the joystick will move the drone sideways or up/down.

Once you feel comfortable with some basic navigation, it's time to take your drone out for a test flight. Plan a safe flight area by setting the flight distance on the drone. One fun feature of the SNAPTAIN SP500is that you can choose a point that you like and then have it circle around, capturing shots for you to enjoy. You can also customize your own flight by setting points with the handy app and the drone will fly along any path that you design.

Now that you have some of the basics of drone flying, what are you waiting for? Many people enjoy basic drone flying and this model is a great option for beginners! It's lightweight and simple design makes it a great choice for sightseeing. You can explore for up to half an hour so make sure you plan out great spots to view whenever you set out with the drone.