Remote Pilot Association

  Talk about a soapbox issue, choosing the best drone for your needs is one of those topics. I’m frequently asked about drone recommendations from students in our commercial certification prep and flight training classes. Some have said to me, “When I save up enough money to buy X drone, then I’ll start my business.” IMHO, this is Bull-Hockey! Some people have the need to be the “trailblazers” when a new product comes out on the market, to each their own. I was guilty of this mentality in high school when we would debate the 0 to 60 (mph) times of the latest sportscars on the market. Someone would have the latest news from one of the magazines stating something like, “Did you hear that the new engine in the Mustang beat last year’s model by .2 seconds?” While there is a place for the “latest and greatest,” purchases should be made objectively by asking, “Will the feature(s) enhance what it is I’m trying to do with it (FPV drone racing, high wind tolerance)? Will this drone make my ...

  Ah, the good old days…just a few years ago where you could go online, look at reviews of drones in your price range, click buy, and a few days later a box arrives on your doorstep. A quick start guide glance later, you were up in the air. Unfortunately, in 2023 it’s not that easy. Before we get into the 10 tips we need to bring you up to speed on Remote Identification, or Remote ID, that some call a digital transponder, and others call a tracking device. Now for a little bit of history. Source: Photo Jason Torgerson, First Choice Home Inspection and Gary Rosson, EarthView Drone Photography. Photo Credit, TC Freeman, RPA   As a result of many airspace violations, security concerns, etc. we now have Remote Identification, a.k.a. Remote ID, a tracking device (transponder) that’s mandated by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulation. As of late 2022 manufactures were required to include Remote ID in new drones (noticed I said, “were required,” as they are now operating u...