See the world from above? With mini drones, this can be done without major practical and legal hurdles at affordable prices. But you shouldn’t just buy and fly away.
The sky has been buzzing for years. Worldwide and also via Germany. Drones of all sizes fly over meadows and forests, sometimes to the chagrin of those seeking relaxation. The operation of unmanned aerial vehicles is now extensively regulated. Small copters up to 250 grams can also be flown without a license.
“The small models have the charm that they hardly burden the luggage and still find a place in the backpack for walks and hikes,” says Christopher Rohe from the German Model Pilots Association (DMFV). But the differences in quality are huge. “The cheaper a model is, the fewer functions,” summarizes Rohe. “It starts with flight modes and ends with image quality.”
There are cheap models for less than 100 euros. But they often have lousy cameras, and the pictures aren’t much good except for documentation purposes. In addition, practical functions such as the independent return to the starting point, i.e. to the pilot, or the automatic tracking of people and objects are often missing here. A GPS module is required for many such features, and people like to save on it. Without GPS and automatic functions, steering also becomes a challenge.
If you want good flight functions and a good camera, you can quickly reach 300 euros and more, says Robert Brandt from Stiftung Warentest. There are also costs for replacement batteries and accessories. A gimbal is a must for high-quality photos. “This keeps the camera stable and ensures steady images,” explains Brandt. The flight duration is around 10 to 20 minutes. A spare battery saves you from having to go home after just a few shots.
Either way, the mini drones are good for initial flight exercises. Some are so small that they fit in one hand. But such tiny creatures have their problems in the air. “Wind and obstacles often make it difficult for the little ones,” says Brandt. Heavier drones are generally not as susceptible to gusts of wind and other adversities. If you don’t want to get a drone driver’s license, you have to stay under the limit of 250 grams.
For drones of this so-called class C0, only an operator registration with the Federal Aviation Office is necessary. The corresponding number must be applied to the outside of the drone before it takes to the air for the first time. Drone insurance is also mandatory in Germany. Anyone who only uses the flying object privately is often already protected by liability insurance, and the flying machines are included in many tariffs.
There are further restrictions on operation. Even small drones are not allowed to fly higher than 120 meters and are not allowed to take off near airports or over crowds. “The list of national legal geographical areas in Germany is very long,” says Christoph May, who runs a drone specialist and training center. For an overview, he recommends the Federal Ministry of Transport’s digital platform for unmanned aviation.
The basis for the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles is an EU regulation. At the national level in Germany, all relevant rules can be found in the Air Traffic Regulations and the Air Traffic Act, where, for example, the amount of the fines for administrative offenses can be found. In extreme cases, several tens of thousands of euros are due. And other countries are not squeamish when it comes to violations. If you want to fly your drone on vacation, you should find out exactly about the rules that apply there.
In practice, this means: In busy places, use often fails because of the distance regulations to crowds of people, says Christopher Rohe from the model pilots’ association. Having a drone film or photograph you in front of sights or on a crowded beach on vacation is therefore rather flat. And nature shots are not easily possible. Nature reserves are taboo, with a few exceptions you have to keep a distance of 100 meters to highways, railway lines and busy rivers.
Nevertheless, the areas of application for small drones are extensive. “From beautiful aerial photos to short video sequences to documentation and inspection flights in technical areas,” says drone expert May, “a lot is possible.”
Well-known manufacturers are, for example, Autel Robotics, DJI, Hubsan or Ryze Robotics. But if you like tinkering, you can also build your own drone. There are kits and a variety of instructions on the net. “You can’t really save money that way,” says Rohe. This is more interesting for hobbyists. Basic knowledge of mechanics, electronics and computer technology is required. Then you might hold your first self-made drone in your hand at some point.
