FAQ

There are some rules about where you can fly drones for safety reasons and to respect people’s privacy. You shouldn’t fly a drone in heavily populated areas, within 5.5km of airfields or within 30m of vehicles, people or buildings. The best place to fly your drone is in open spaces where there are few people so it is free to fly without posing a risk to anyone’s safety.

The most recent drone models are straightforward to learn to fly. Many drones are now built with the user in mind, and will help you to fly if you have never flown one before. Some include autonomous fly modes so you don’t need to try and get to grips with controlling the drone and taking pictures at the same time. Every model will be slightly different, so if you are new to drone flying it’s best to practise in an open area where there is limited risk of crashing until you get the hang of the controls.

Most drones have a flight time of between 20 and 30 minutes on a single fully charged battery, depending on which model you buy. Batteries usually take a couple of hours to charge, but many people choose to purchase additional batteries so they can continue to fly for longer periods if one battery runs out of power.

Many drones, like the DJI Phantom series, have batteries that will warn you when it needs to be recharged. The battery status is often shown on the controller so you will always be aware when it starts to get low. If the battery does run out while you are flying, most drones will either land or return to home, so you won’t need to worry about crashing.

Most drones have a range of about 1000 metres but some, like the DJI Phantom 4, can travel up to 5km from the controller. Each model will be different, so if you want your drone to travel further check out the specifications before deciding on a purchase. Bear in mind that there are restrictions on how high you can safely fly a drone in controlled air space.

New features are being developed all the time so most drones now include functions that will ensure you won’t lose the drone if it goes out of range. This could mean that either it will hover in place, land or return to home if the drone loses connection with the controller.

If you are purchasing a drone for recreational use only, you don’t need a license to fly it. However, you do need to follow the safety regulations outlined in the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations Part 101, which can be found on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority website.

There is no reason why you can’t fly your drone over rivers, lakes or even the ocean, and many people choose to do so as it can create some great photographs or videos. However, if the drone goes into the water, it may be more difficult to retrieve it and it can cause more serious damage to the drone. It’s therefore a good idea to make sure you are confident with the controls before you attempt flying over water.

This means First Person View. If a drone has this function it means you can see live footage from the camera and pilot it from this view on screen rather than by looking up at the drone’s physical location. It makes it much easier to fly the drone as you can always see where it is in relation to its surroundings.

Drones generally come with their own high performance cameras that are made to capture photos and videos even in flight. However, many drones also include the capacity to attach your own camera, and some are made specifically to accommodate a GoPro camera. If you are looking for a drone that you can use with your GoPro, make sure you check that it is compatible before you make a purchase.

Drones are generally made to fly in good, calm weather conditions. You shouldn’t fly if it is raining or snowing, and the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations Part 101 state that you shouldn’t fly in cloud or fog. Some models are more durable than others so, while no wind is ideal, they can be flown in moderate wind. Check the specifications of your model before flying in windy conditions.

Modern drones are built with many features to reduce the risk of crashing, such as hovering in place if you let go of the controls. However, crashes do sometimes happen with varying degrees of damage.

We provide onsite/offsite repair services, please contact us for more information.

You may also opt to buy DJI Care Refresh which provides you with replacement units* (* conditions apply).

If your drone has crashed due to user error you will be liable for the cost of repair, but if the crash was due to a fault with the drone itself then the manufacturer warranty should cover repairs or replacement.

Purchasing an additional battery or charger is not necessary. It does mean that you can fly your drone for longer without having to stop and recharge, which can take a couple of hours depending on the battery and charger you are using. Many people do choose to purchase additional batteries or chargers for convenience, so it is worth bearing in mind depending on your requirements.

Please visit our accessories section to buy some.

The varied uses for drones are increasing every day. Recreationally, they are normally used to observe and explore surroundings, watch wildlife and primarily for photographic and filming purposes. Using drones for racing is also increasing in popularity for those who are more interested in the capabilities of the technology than photography.

Drones are being used more and more for business purposes, including using them to make deliveries. There are more rules to consider if you are planning on using your drone for commercial purposes. You will have to notify the Civil Aviation Safety Authority if the drone weighs less than two kilograms, or obtain an RPA operator’s certificate if it weighs more than two kilograms. For more information, check out the Civil Aviation Safety Authority website here.