Drone types

When we talk about drones, there’s a few distinctions based on size and usage.

Drone types

These are relevant to the discussion; there are other kinds as well.

• FPV drones are quadcopters (“quads”) ranging in size up to roughly a foot in size. They have a fixed forward camera that the operator sees through using a headset and are flown this way. Some also carry a GoPro for better footage that can be retrieved when the drone lands. Some FPV drones have gimbal mounted cameras like camera drones but this is rare.
• Camera drones, which are in the same class but can be larger. They typically have a gimbal mounted cameras and longer flight times. They are flown primarily by watching video on a controller. The DJI drones are probably the best-known of these.
• Drone munitions like the Geran-3, which have 10 foot wingspans and are roughly 15 feet long.

We won’t discuss drone munitions here; when we discuss drone tactics, techniques, and procedures, they refer to FPV and possibly camera drones. Other than TTPs, camera drones aren’t covered here.

If you’re used to flying camera drones, you’ll find that they are much friendlier to new pilots. DJI drones in particular have a lot of altitude-hold and position keeping tech onboard. FPV drones might have an optical flow sensor to help with hovering in angle mode, but as often do not. Flying an FPV drone requires your hands on the stick for virtually the entire flight.

Size classes

Drone sizes are often measured in either wheelbase (motor to motor diagonally) or propeller size.

• Tinywhoops are small - maybe 2-3 inches on each size. You’ll see 65mm and 75mm drones most commonly. For reference, one of my 65mm drones weighs an ounce with the battery and a 75mm two ounces.

Usage classes

• Freestyle: these are meant to do acrobatics and general flying.
• Racing: designed for speed.
• Cinematic: design for slower, stable cinematic work.