how to fly a drone with active tracking in 4 easy steps

If you just bought a drone and want to learn how to fly it safely, today I want to give you some of the basics so you can go out and have a great first flight and hopefully not crash your first drone. Now, if you want to go really in-depth and dive into how to fly your drone well and learn some advanced moves, how to take care of your batteries, how to take every drone, all those kinds of things, I do offer a paid course – it’s linked in the description. But for now, we’re going to jump in the basics of how to fly pretty much any drone that’s come out on the market in the last few years.

When you take off or when you go fly for the first time, make sure that you’re in a place that you’re okay to fly, and there’s a lot of different ways to look at that. I use an app called AirMap, there’s Before You Fly, there’s a few other ones that you can check and make sure you can legally fly wherever you’re gonna go fly, and make sure you’re in a big, wide-open area where you’re not going to be really concerned with running into any trees, any poles, any buildings, anything like that could get in your way. So make sure you go out to a big field, big open space, and fly there for the first time.

Your first active tracking drone flight setup

Before we jump into flying the drone for the first time, the first thing you want to do is turn the controller on and we want to understand how the controller works. So, you double-tap and hold the second push to turn the drone on. Once it beeps, turns on, then it’s on. Open up the app, plug your phone in, whatever device you’re using and then be ready to go.

How to control your drone

Now, there’s a few basics that we need to understand. This stick on the left side here is the one that basically the drone stays in the same position but moves up or down or turns left or right, but it stays above the position wherever it’s hovering at that time. So if you push up, the drone will go up. If you push down, it’ll go down. You turn to the left, it’ll go left. If you turn to the right, it’ll go right. So that’s the basics of movements.

Basic drone controlls

On this side, the right stick is a little bit different. This is the one that actually makes the drone move forward, backward or left to right relative to whatever position it took off of. So, if you push left, the drone is going to slide left. If you push right, the drone will slide right. If you push up, the drone will move forward and if you push down, the drone will move backward.

Those are the basics of all the controls, and everything we’re going to do today revolves around those things. Now, there’s a few other things that you might want to familiarize yourself with. If your remote has a pause button or return to home button like this one does, that’s good to know just in case you get in trouble, you can push it and have the drone come back. I always recommend flying the drone back to yourself.

Don’t just use the return to home function because sometimes that can go wrong depending on the settings that you’ve used.

And then in the middle, we have a switch here that selects between three different flight modes. The one furthest on the left, cine mode, or sometimes called tripod mode, is the slowest and the drone, everything about the drone will respond slowly to the controls. Normal means that if you have obstacle avoidance, that obstacle avoidance is also active just like it was in the city mode, but everything is a little faster. The drone will move faster, it will go places faster up, down, left, right, all of those things will happen a lot faster, and the gimbal will move faster.

Sport mode or the fastest mode

Sport mode or the fastest mode, ludicrous mode depending on the drone manufacturer, will move the drone at the absolute maximum speeds that it is capable of, but if your drone has obstacle avoidance, there will be no obstacle avoidance available. So then, it is 100% dependent on you to not crash your drone.

And then on most DJI drones on the back of the remote here is a record button so you can take pictures or start and stop the video recording and a gimbal control wheel. So if you push the wheel one way, the gimbal will tilt down. If you push it the other way, the gimbal will tilt up.

Now that we’ve gone over some of those basics, let’s jump into unfolding our drone, taking off, and flying for the first time. Some drones might unfold differently than this, but you should be able to find your directions in your manual or there’s probably videos out there about how to do it.

The first thing you want to do is definitely take the gimbal cover off so that the gimbal has free range of motion before you turn the drone on. And then usually, you unfold these two legs, the front two legs, or the top two legs by moving them forward first, and then the back two legs fold down and back. Now the drone is unfolded. You don’t have to straighten out the propellers if you don’t want to, but you can.

Most drones will have a soft start to be able to get the drones going or get the propellers going and spin them out before the drone actually takes off. And then power it on by double-pressing and holding the second press until it beeps or you hear it turn on. Once it’s completed its boot-up process, you’ll hear that tone. Everything’s ready to go.

I don’t recommend that you hand launch and hand catch if this is your first time

flying a drone because it can be dangerous, especially if you’re not experienced. Instead, we’re going to take off from the ground. So, we’re going to push both sticks down and in towards the center to start the motors. And then, you can slowly push up the left stick to make the drone take off.

Once the drone is in the air, the first thing you want to do is hover at about eye level and get comfortable with the controls. Practice moving the drone up, down, left, and right using the left stick. And then, practice moving the drone forward, backward, left, and right relative to its position using the right stick.

It’s important to keep the drone in your line of sight at all times while flying. And also, make sure to keep a safe distance from people, buildings, and other obstacles. If you’re not sure about the regulations in your area, be sure to check with local authorities.

Landing your drone for the first time

When it’s time to land the drone, make sure to bring it down slowly and carefully. You can use the left stick to bring the drone down, and then push both sticks down and out to the sides to stop the motors.

Now, this is just the basics of flying a drone. There’s a lot more to learn if you want to become a skilled and safe drone pilot. So, if you’re interested in learning more, be sure to check out my paid course, which goes into more detail on everything from pre-flight checklists to advanced maneuvers.

In conclusion, flying a drone can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it’s important to do it safely and responsibly. By following these basic tips and practicing in a safe and open area, you can have a great first flight and start exploring the world from a whole new perspective.

How to Get Your Drone to Follow You In 4 Steps! (Active Track)

If you are looking to capture stunning aerial footage while on the move, using Active Track on your drone is a great way to do so. Active Track allows your drone to follow you while you move, keeping you in the center of the frame and capturing your adventures from a unique perspective. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through how to get your drone to follow you in 4 easy steps.

Step 1: Choose the Right Drone

The first step in getting your drone to follow you is to choose the right drone. Not all drones are created equal, and some are better suited for Active Track than others. Look for a drone with a good camera, long battery life, and reliable GPS capabilities. Some popular drones with Active Track capabilities include the DJI Mavic Air 2, DJI Phantom 4 Pro, and the Autel Robotics EVO II.

Step 2: Set Up Active Track

Once you have chosen your drone, the next step is to set up Active Track. This will vary depending on the make and model of your drone, but most drones with Active Track capabilities will have a setting in the app that allows you to activate Active Track. Follow the instructions in the app to set up Active Track, and make sure to adjust the settings as needed.

Step 3: Position Yourself in the Center of the Frame

To ensure that your drone follows you correctly, it is important to position yourself in the center of the frame. This will vary depending on the make and model of your drone, but most drones with Active Track capabilities will have a setting in the app that allows you to adjust the position of the drone. Make sure to adjust the position so that you are in the center of the frame.

Step 4: Adjust Settings as Needed

Finally, it is important to adjust the settings as needed to ensure that your drone follows you correctly. This may include adjusting the speed at which the drone follows you, the distance between you and the drone, or the altitude of the drone. Experiment with different settings to find the perfect balance for your specific needs.

FAQs:

1. What is Active Track on a drone?
   Active Track is a feature on some drones that allows the drone to follow a moving subject while keeping them in the center of the frame.
2. What drones have Active Track?
   Some popular drones with Active Track capabilities include the DJI Mavic Air 2, DJI Phantom 4 Pro, and the Autel Robotics EVO II.
3. How does Active Track work?
   Active Track uses GPS and computer vision technology to track and follow a moving subject.
4. Can Active Track be used for other subjects besides people?
   Yes, Active Track can be used to track and follow other moving subjects such as cars, boats, and animals.
5. What is the maximum speed at which Active Track can follow a subject?
   This will vary depending on the make and model of the drone, but some drones can follow subjects at speeds of up to 45 mph.
6. Can Active Track be used in windy conditions?
   It is not recommended to use Active Track in windy conditions, as it may affect the stability of the drone.
7. How long does the battery last when using Active Track?
   This will vary depending on the make and model of the drone, but most drones with Active Track capabilities have a battery life of around 20-30 minutes.
8. What is the range of Active Track?
   This will vary depending on the make and model of the drone, but most drones with Active Track capabilities have a range of around 2-3 miles.
9. Can Active Track be used in low light conditions?
   It may be more difficult for Active Track to track a subject in low light conditions, so it is recommended to use Active Track in well-lit environments.
10. Can Active Track be used for indoor tracking?
    Active Track may not work as well for indoor tracking, as GPS signals may be weaker indoors.
11. How do I know if my drone has Active Track capabilities?
    Check the specifications of your drone or consult the manufacturer’s website to see if your drone has Active Track capabilities.
12. Can Active Track be used with multiple subjects?
    Some drones with Active Track capabilities can track and follow multiple subjects at once.
13. How accurate is Active Track?
    This will vary depending on the make and model of the drone, but most drones with Active Track capabilities have a high level of accuracy.
14. Can Active Track be used for live streaming?
    Yes, some drones with Active Track capabilities can be used for live streaming.
15. Is Active Track difficult to set up?
    The process of setting up Active Track will vary depending on the make and model of the drone, but most drones with Active Track capabilities have a user-friendly app that walks you through the setup process.
16. Can Active Track be used with a controller?Yes, Active Track can be used with a controller for more precise control over the drone’s movements.
17. How do I adjust the speed of Active Track?
    This will vary depending on the make and model of the drone, but most drones with Active Track capabilities have a setting in the app that allows you to adjust the speed of the drone.
18. Can Active Track be used while the drone is in manual mode?
    Active Track may not work as well while the drone is in manual mode, as the drone’s movements may not be as smooth and predictable.
19. Can Active Track be used with a moving subject that is not in the center of the frame?
    Yes, some drones with Active Track capabilities can track and follow a moving subject even if they are not in the center of the frame.
20. Is Active Track safe to use?
    As with any drone operation, it is important to follow all safety guidelines and regulations when using Active Track. Be sure to fly in a safe and responsible manner, and always be aware of your surroundings.

What drones have active tracking

Here are some popular drones with active tracking capabilities:

DJI Mavic 2 Pro – with active tracking

This drone has a 3-axis gimbal and 4K camera, and can track subjects using ActiveTrack 2.0.
Checkout the complete the DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone with active tracking review here

DJI Mavic Air 2 – with active tracking

This drone has a 3-axis gimbal and 4K camera, and can track subjects using ActiveTrack 3.0.

DJI Phantom 4 Pro active tracking drone

– This drone has a 3-axis gimbal and 4K camera, and can track subjects using ActiveTrack.

DJI Phantom 4 Advanced -active tracking drone

This drone has a 3-axis gimbal and 4K camera, and can track subjects using ActiveTrack.

DJI Mavic Mini active tracking drone

This drone has a 3-axis gimbal and 2.7K camera, and can track subjects using ActiveTrack

Checkout the complete the DJI Mavic Mini drone with active tracking review here

Autel Robotics EVO II

This drone has a 3-axis gimbal and 8K camera, and can track subjects using Dynamic Track.

Checkout the complete the Autel Robotics EVO II drone with active tracking review here

Yuneec Typhoon H Pro

This drone has a 3-axis gimbal and 4K camera, and can track subjects using Orbit Me, Point of Interest, and Journey modes.

Checkout the complete the Yuneec Typhoon H Pro drone with active tracking review here

Parrot Anafi

This drone has a 3-axis gimbal and 4K camera, and can track subjects using Follow Me, Watch Me, and Flight Plan modes.
Checkout the complete the parrot anafi drone with active tracking review here

PowerVision PowerEye

This drone has a 3-axis gimbal and 4K camera, and can track subjects using Object Tracking and Follow Me modes.

Checkout the complete the Powervision PowerEye drone with active tracking review here

GoPro Karma

This drone has a 3-axis gimbal and 4K camera, and can track subjects using Follow mode.

Note: It’s worth mentioning that the effectiveness of active tracking can vary depending on the lighting conditions, subject movement, and other factors. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines for using active tracking features.

Sources used in this article:

• DJI’s Active Track tutorial: https://www.dji.com/active-track
• Udemy’s drone photography and videography course
• YouTube tutorials: Drone Supremacy (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPSgH_5UKB6Vhnlr5jKxCcg) and iJustine (https://www.youtube.com/user/ijustine)
• Drone forums: DJI Forum (https://forum.dji.com/forum.php) and DronePilotsCentral (https://www.dronepilotscentral.com/)

Getting your drone to follow you in 4 easy steps is a great way to capture stunning aerial footage while on the move. By choosing the right drone, setting up Active Track, positioning yourself in the center of the frame, and adjusting settings as needed, you can master Active Track and create amazing content with your drone. Remember to always fly safely and responsibly, and follow all regulations and guidelines when operating your drone.

Best Drone photography and videography course Udemy