Thermal UAV Surveys Confirm Vital Koala Habitat, Marking a Conservation Milestone in MidCoast NSW by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb Researchers working in Australia’s new Waulinbakh Wildlife Sanctuary, located three hours from Sydney on the traditional land of the Worimi people, recently discovered the presence of a young Koala joey cuddling with its mother […]
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New FAA Authorization Supports NYPA’s Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight Drone Missions ANRA Technologies announced a significant milestone with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granting it a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) to deploy its strategic drone conflict detection and conformance monitoring services. In collaboration with the New York Power Authority (NYPA), ANRA’s solution will enhance safety and efficiency for […]
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New Licensing Program Opens Door for Entrepreneurs in Drone Services Droneify, previously known as The Sky Guys, has taken a significant step in its business journey, announcing an expansion into drone-powered window cleaning services. The company also launched a licensing program, giving entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to join the growing industry. This program supports partners […]
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(Part of a series on the drone community’s response to natural disasters) Last week marked the 12th anniversary since Hurricane Sandy slammed into the U.S. East Coast, causing tremendous devastation across wide areas of New York and New Jersey. In New York City, at least 43 people died as a result of the storm, which […]
The post Rising Above the Storm: How Drones Are Revolutionizing NYC’s Disaster Response 12 Years After Hurricane Sandy appeared first on DRONELIFE.
As the Drone Girl, I’m always getting questions from new pilots! This question is only a semi-new pilot, as this pilot is wondering how when it’s time to upgrade my drone! Patrick Sherman, a long-time drone enthusiast who has risen to become a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University specializing in drones joins us to answer.
One reader wrote in to say: I bought a cheap $299 drone at BestBuy to learn drone maneuvers, but when I am ready to upgrade I am leaning towards the DJI Mini 3 Pro or the Mavic 3 Classic. The new Mavic 3 Pro looks really nice, but pricey! Do I really need all that zoom when starting out?
Patrick Sherman, who is also the author of the book “Getting Started with Drones and Model Airplanes” knows a thing or two about launching a drone business. Given that, I asked him to help me answer this question
Here was his response (and if you want more of his insights, grab a copy of his book today!):
When it comes to making a purchasing decision on your next drone, select the least expensive option that will allow you to accomplish your goals, whatever those may be. Goals vary by pilot. For a newbie that goal just might be getting comfortable on the sticks. For someone who has aspirations of selling their photos, that very well may be having a higher-quality camera.
Especially when you’re getting started with drones, The Drone Girl has long recommended using any sort of cheap, practice drone you can get your hands on. Alas, it sounds like you’ve done that!
That said, you did mention upgrading from your existing toy drone to something slightly better. For what it’s worth, the Mavic 3 (in either its Pro or Classic form) still might be more than what you’re looking for.
Unless you need a powerful telephoto lens or high-quality cameras because you’re going to be doing professional aerial photography in the immediate future, I’d go with the Mini 3 Pro. It will get you into the DJI ecosystem, giving you the opportunity to become familiar with the company’s hardware and software without putting a huge investment at risk as you continue learning how to fly.
For now, it sounds like a powerful telephoto lens or high-quality camera might just be overkill.
For what it’s worth, the Mavic 3 series — whether you opt for the standard or the Pro version — are formidable aircraft. In fact, many consider the DJI Mini 3 to be the best DJI drone under $600.
What matters most at this point in your career is to continue learning how to fly. Learning will necessarily involve making mistakes, and the less your aircraft costs, the less those mistakes will cost you.
Good luck!
-Patrick Sherman
Are you starting out as a remote pilot? Do you have other questions you’d like Patrick to answer? The chances are that he already has answered it! Check out his new book, “Getting Started with Drones and Model Airplanes,” published by Aviation Supplies & Academics – the leading publisher of aviation-related books in the United States. Copies are available on Amazon!
If you have a question for Drone Girl, contact her here.
The post When am I ready to upgrade my drone? And how much do fancier specs like zoom really matter? appeared first on The Drone Girl.
Anew very large jet-powered Chinese drone said to have a 10-ton maximum takeoff weight, or a mockup thereof, has emerged ahead of the formal opening of this year’s Zhuhai Airshow. The design notably appears to be at least depicted as being fitted with a modular payload section designed to launch swarms of smaller uncrewed aerial […]
On November 5, 2024, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. used its MQ-20 Avenger Unmanned Aircraft System to perform commanded autonomy maneouvres as part of a demonstration with the U.S. Navy. The USN used its MD-5 Ground Control Station (GCS) with Lockheed Martin’s MDCX autonomy platform to command and control the jet-powered UAS. Working collaboratively with […]
– Insitu, a Boeing Company, is now leveraging Proliferated-Low Earth Orbit (P-LEO) Satellite Communication (SATCOM) control for its Integrator Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS). This capability enables Integrator to fly up to 2,000 Nautical Miles (NM) point-to-point with 27.5 hours of endurance, the longest range/endurance of any small UAS in its class. Integrator with P-LEO SATCOM […]
When Russian jamming neutered the recon drones flown by a group of Ukrainian special operators near Dnipro in August, they turned to a new solution: V-BAT drones built to withstand the massive electronic interference used by both sides in the war in Ukraine. “They launched from about 40 kilometers from the front, flew 100 kilometers […]
American soldiers were surrounded by the enemy deep in the heart of Vietnam. Their time was running out with every second wasted, but the thick jungle canopy and the treetops made it difficult for conventional aircraft to assist them. The men on the ground called for immediate close air support, providing the Air Force with […]