Drones with cameras have become a popular tool for photography, adventure, and entertainment. However, after we take off the drone, how should we get the drone back home safely?
Whether you are a novice or an experienced pilot, ensuring the safe return of the drone is always one of the most important parts of the flight process. Loss of connection, crash, or damage to the drone not only brings financial losses, but also may cause safety hazards.
In this blog, we will share some practical tips and best practices to help you ensure the safe return of the drone and avoid drone flyaway accidents.
Preparation before flight
The foundation of safe return starts with adequate preparation before flight. Here are a few key steps:
Check the status of the drone
- Before each flight, check the hardware and software status of the drone.
Make sure the propellers are not cracked or damaged and are firmly installed.
- Check whether the battery is sufficient (it is recommended to take off with at least 80% power).
- Confirm that the firmware of the remote controller and the drone is the latest version to avoid loss of connection due to software problems.
Calibrate sensors
Many drones are equipped with sensors such as compass and IMU (inertial measurement unit). Before takeoff, calibrate these sensors according to the manual to ensure that the drone can accurately sense direction and position.
Set the Home Point
- Most camera drones will trigger the automatic Return to Home (RTH) function when the battery is low and the signal is weak. Before takeoff, make sure the drone has correctly recorded the return point.
- Confirm that the GPS signal is good (usually at least 6 satellite signals are required).
- Take off in an open area to avoid buildings or trees interfering with the return path.
Understand the flight environment
- Before flying, study the terrain, weather and regulations of the flight area.
- Check the weather forecast to avoid flying in strong winds, rain, snow or fog.
- Understand the No-Fly Zones and use the drone application to confirm whether the flight area is legal.
Precautions during flight
During the flight, staying vigilant and following the following suggestions can greatly increase the success rate of the drone's safe return:
Monitoring the battery level
- The battery level of the drone is a key factor in determining whether it is necessary to return.
- Set a low battery warning (usually recommended to be triggered at 30% battery).
- Plan your flight time to ensure that the drone returns before the battery drops to a safe value.
- Pay attention to the return distance: If the drone is far away, more power will be needed for return, so plan ahead.
Maintain signal connection
- The signal connection between the drone and the remote controller is crucial.
- Avoid flying in areas with severe signal interference (such as near high-voltage lines or densely built areas).
- If the signal becomes weak, immediately lower the altitude or adjust the drone's position to try to restore the signal.
Get familiar with the automatic return to home function (RTH)
The automatic return to home function can be automatically triggered when the signal is lost or the battery is low, but you need to understand how it works:
- Confirm the return altitude (RTH Altitude): Make sure the drone can fly over obstacles (such as trees, buildings) when returning.
- Understand the triggering conditions: manually trigger RTH (via the remote control button) or automatically trigger (if the signal is lost).
Note: RTH is not a panacea, and pilots still need to monitor the return path to avoid accidents.
Read More: Automatic RTH Function of Autel EVO II Drone
Avoid complex environments
- Be extra careful when flying in complex environments (such as forests and urban high-rise areas).
- Avoid areas with strong winds, which may cause the drone to deviate from its route or consume power too quickly.
- Pay attention to whether the obstacle sensor is turned on (if the drone supports this function), but do not rely entirely on the sensor.
Tips for returning to home
When you decide to return the drone, the following tips can help you complete the operation smoothly:
Choose the right time to return to home
- Do not wait until the battery is too low or the signal is unstable before starting the return to home. It is recommended to start the return to home when the battery is 30%-50% remaining, leaving a safety margin.
- If the weather suddenly deteriorates (such as wind or rain), return home immediately.
Choice between manual return and automatic return to home
- If the flight environment is simple and the signal is stable, you can choose manual return to home. Manual operation can avoid obstacles more flexibly.
- If the signal is unstable or visibility is low, it is recommended to use the automatic return to home function (RTH), but you need to closely monitor the status of the drone.
Monitor the return path
Use the drone's FPV camera or map function to monitor the return path in real time.
If you find that the drone deviates from the path or is about to hit an obstacle, switch to manual mode immediately to make adjustments.
Smooth Landing
- Choose a flat, open area to land, avoid grass, sand or uneven ground.
- During the landing process, slowly lower the altitude, observe the surrounding environment, and ensure safety.
- If the automatic landing function is supported, you can use it, but you must be ready to take over manually at any time.
Handling of emergency situations
Whether you are a drone novice or a drone expert, even if you are well prepared before flying, you may encounter emergencies during the flight, such as signal loss, low battery, obstacle interference, etc. Drone pilots should be alert to emergencies.
Signal loss
- If the drone loses connection with the remote control, most drones will automatically trigger the RTH function.
- Before the signal is restored, avoid operating the remote control at will to avoid interfering with the return process.
Low battery
- If the battery is not enough to support the drone to fly back to the take-off point, immediately find the nearest safe landing point.
- Prefer open areas to avoid landing above crowds or buildings.
Obstacle interference
- If the drone encounters an obstacle during the return process, try to manually adjust the altitude or direction.
- If manual control is not possible, stay calm and observe whether the drone will automatically adjust the path.
Summary and improvement after flight
From drone novice to drone expert, the most important thing is to accumulate flight experience. Multiple flights can enable drone novices to learn continuously and ensure flight safety.
After each flight, summarizing the lessons learned can help you improve your flying skills and reduce risks:
- Check the flight log: Many drone applications will record flight data, analyze flight paths, power consumption and signal strength, and find potential problems.
- Maintain the drone: Clean the drone regularly and check whether the hardware is worn or damaged.
- Learning and improvement: Participate in drone communities or training courses to learn more advanced skills and safety knowledge.
Conclusion
Making the drone return safely is a core skill that every pilot must master. Do not rely too much on the drone's automatic return function. Through sufficient pre-flight preparation, careful operation during flight, and calm handling of emergency situations, drone pilots can continue to learn during flight, minimize risks, and enjoy the fun of drones.
