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Safety Precautions for Drones, Quadcopters and similar FPV's

  • 23-01-2016 10:37am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,828 ✭✭✭


    The fact that a cheap drone or quadcopter can be picked up quite cheaply without too much searching in a discount store like TIGER or Eurogiant compelled me to write up this sticky. Unlike what some might think "quite cheaply" does NOT mean you can fly them until they break. FIRST, bear in mind the considerations below.

    * Unpack the craft carefully upon first opening of the package. Store in a safe place spare propellor blades, USB powering lead and other such items.
    * Where provided attach the blade guards to the drone as indicated in the instructions.
    * If supplied, note down all email and web addresses as included in the documentation and on the box.
    * Take the time to read through ALL documentation and not just 'scan' over it before attempting your first flight - this is important as there will be instructions on how to 'pair' the drone with the radio control unit before flying it.
    * Keep good care of this documentation, especially since there may not be any email or web address supplied anywhere in the package.
    * Personal assessment of prevailing weather conditions should be made for your intended flying site as well as consulting the online weather forecast, from a website such as www.rte.ie/weather
    * If it is steadily raining at the time the drone was to be flown, this is reasonable grounds for not proceeding with the flight. On most drone packaging there will be a sign in red with raindrops which are crossed out.
    * Do not fly your drone in built up residential and commercial areas.
    * Do not fly your drone within 50 metres of another person, building or structure.
    * Do not try out the "stunt options" with your new drone for the first few flights.
    * Inspect the drone for damage or missing parts after each flight.
    * The quadcopter may be equipped with a "homing - function" i.e. the ability to return to the patch of ground where it took off. Carefully read the steps how to use this and then try it out if you wish in a small area.
    * With camera equipped drones, make sure you have permission to record from the relevant people.
    * For the first few flights, operate the sticks on the control unit in a gentle fashion.
    * Serious consideration should be made regarding what casing to transport the drone in. For smaller models, I recommend a Laptop case designed for a 16 inch Laptop. For larger models, I suggest a tuxedo carrier.
    * Use a separate bag for the radio control unit.
    * For a drone weighing over 1Kilogram or costing over €200, Do register the drone with the IAA. This can be done at the following website: https://www.asset-international.com/ - there may be a nominal fee to do this.
    * Then write the registration number with indelible marker on the drone unit itself.


This discussion has been closed.
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