An effective drone kit requires more than the aircraft and controller. You’ll also need a landing pad, memory cards, power sources, safety gear, and more. This guide shares the equipment and practices I’ve found most useful.
Checklist
I’m a devotee of checklists (see Atul Gawande’s The Checklist Manifesto) and I use them all the time before packing for trips, preparing for outdoor recreation, and publishing content online. Drones are no exception, and if you’ve ever watched a pilot of a plane or helicopter at work before takeoff, you’ll see them consulting checklists to ensure a smooth journey.
Here’s a link to a PDF with my master checklist for drones, which includes what I need to handle at home before heading out and what I do before taking off in the field.
Drone and remote controller
In the United States, this is a challenging time to give advice on what drone to buy because the previously dominant company, DJI, is now under federal restrictions (more here). Rather than go into specific models, let me offer some questions to inform your purchase:
- How long is the flight time?
- How fast can the drone move?
- What kind of camera is onboard?
- What are the photo/video capabilities?
- Does the drone have anti-collision technology?
- How easy is it to use the controller?
- What kind of display will you be staring/squinting into?
- Is repair service available?
If you’re new to flying drones, it may make sense to start out with a less expensive model that you can use to practice without fear of breaking the bank if something goes wrong.
Tablet or smartphone
- Some drone controllers come with an integrated display, but many require you to use either a phone or a tablet. Make sure that the screen you’re using has decent brightness and good visibility when you’re outdoors. You may need to crank up the brightness on your device manually.
- Some pilots use a screen hood in bright conditions, although I have not found one necessary in my own setup.
- Be sure that you have the right cables to connect your phone/tablet to the drone controller. I once hiked several miles with my drone, only to discover I had the wrong connector in my backpack, rendering the drone useless.
Drone backpack or case
- There are lots of components to juggle when you’re preparing to fly a drone. How will you transport all of your gear? A sturdy backpack or hard case is essential for traveling with your equipment, and it can protect the gear from damage.
- If you’ll be hiking, biking, or otherwise traveling from your vehicle to the takeoff/landing site, a backpack is the best option. If you’ll be flying or shipping your drone, a hard case with foam cutouts is necessary.
- Sometimes drones come with carrying cases, and you can also find gear specifically designed to hold certain drone models.
- In addition to the case for my drone/controller, I travel with a big clear plastic bin that I put in the back seat of my vehicle and use to store all the other gear I mention on this page. After the trip, the bin lives in a closet, ready to go for the next flight.
Spare batteries and power source
- Battery life is a critical issue when flying a drone. The longevity of batteries varies by model, and it’s one of the key considerations in purchasing a drone. Don’t ignore those warning sounds and messages when your battery is running low, and don’t press your luck by running the battery down to near zero—flying on fumes is a foolish risk.
- You’ll definitely want to have at least a few spare batteries. They’re not cheap, but they’re an essential accessory. Make sure that all your batteries are fully charged before beginning a mission so that you can seamlessly swap them out. I recommend sticking with genuine batteries from the drone manufacturer, rather than taking chances with a less expensive knockoff. And never use a battery that’s damaged.
- In addition to the batteries, you’ll need a way to charge them in the field. I have two chargers so that I can simultaneously refill two batteries at the same time (for my DJI Mavic 2 Zoom, it takes about 40 minutes per battery to charge). A hub that allows you to connect multiple batteries can be helpful, but some may only charge the batteries sequentially, rather than simultaneously.
- To charge the batteries in the field, you’ll need a power source, such as a portable power bank. I’ve had good luck with products made by Jackery, but there are many other options. Make sure the power bank has enough capacity to charge your batteries. You’ll also need a way to recharge your phone/tablet because operating them with maximum brightness on the display can quickly drain their batteries.
Extra propellers/propeller guards
- Bring along an extra set of propellers for your drone in case they get damaged. Never fly with a questionable propeller because that can lead to disaster. Extra propellers aren’t expensive, so they’re money well spent. Even small nicks or cracks in propellers can affect the drone’s performance. I make it a habit to occasionally change out all the propellers to ensure I’m flying with undamaged equipment.
- Some drones allow you to attach propeller guards, which protect the spinning blades if you happen to run into an obstacle. I wouldn’t rely on these to prevent your drone from crashing, but they can be useful indoors and when flying in tight spaces.
Landing pad
- Portable landing pads protect your aircraft during takeoff and landing. If, for example, you’re operating on asphalt, it may seem unnecessary to have a pad for takeoff and landing, but when your drone’s propellers are spinning near the ground, they’re kicking up dust that can damage your motors, camera, or gimbal (the device that stabilizes the camera). Landing pads are even more critical if you’re flying in a place where the ground is sandy, rocky, or grassy.
- Amazon and other retailers sell landing pads for drones that are typically foldable so they travel well and weighted so they don’t fly around due to your rotor wash. But in a pinch, you can use something as simple as a large doormat or a small tarp held down by rocks or stakes.
Memory cards and laptop
- Drones typically use microSD cards, and it behooves you to have a bunch of high-capacity cards on hand while flying. If you’re filming video in 4K or even higher resolutions, those cards will fill up quickly. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual to see if your drone requires certain specifications for the memory cards. Those microSD cards are miniscule and easily damaged, so you should store them in a protective case.
- As I note on the photo page, it’s a good idea to regularly back up your files so you don’t lose all your content if the drone crashes or gets lost. To do this, you’ll need a laptop and a memory card reader. I tend to back up my files to a portable hard drive attached to my laptop.
Filters and cleaning kit
- Neutral density filters can improve the quality of your images and footage, especially in very bright conditions, by limiting the amount of light that enters your lens. This allows you to use larger apertures and slower shutter speeds. These filters are often sold in sets with varying degrees of strength that are denoted with ND4, ND8, ND16, etc.
- I’ve never used them myself, but you can also buy polarizing filters for some drone cameras that will cut down on glare.
- Even if you don’t use filters, you should also bring a cleaning kit that will ensure your lenses have a clear view.
Paperwork
- As noted on the principles page, if you’re flying for work or business, you need to be certified by the FAA, so you should always carry your pilot credentials while flying.
- Likewise, you’ll need to register your drone with the FAA, so your registration number should be visible on the outside of the drone, and you should carry a copy of your registration.
- Confirm that your aircraft complies with Remote ID requirements. Older models may require a broadcast module.
- Insurance may be required for some missions, so be sure to have that information on hand. SkyWatch.ai sells insurance by the hour.
- It’s also a good idea to have access to your drone’s manual, either electronically or in hard copy, in case you encounter problems and need to refer to it.
Safety and visibility
- I always travel with some basic gear to keep me safe. Roadside pullouts are a common place to take off and land, so a high-visibility vest can be useful if you’re in an area with lots of traffic nearby. Wearing a fluorescent vest can also make you look official and keep people from bugging you while flying!
- Drone batteries, which are typically lithium-based, can be volatile and flammable if they’re damaged or improperly charged. I travel with a small, portable fire extinguisher just to be sure.
- If you’re flying at night, you’ll need special anti-collision lights that are visible for three miles, plus special authorization.
- Even if you’re not flying a drone, it’s always a good idea to have a first aid kit in your vehicle in case someone, including yourself, gets injured.
