Drones are not just for spying on your neighbour’s backyard or taking epic aerial shots of your latest road trip. Nope, these little flying machines have a ton of uses that can save you time, help you make money, and even save lives.
I have been flying drones for 6 years, both for fun and practical reasons. I have made a list of my favourite 23 drone uses that you will certainly get something out of.
Fun Ways To Use Your Drone
With obstacle avoidance systems, you can now enjoy exciting close-range flying. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, try racing drones for a thrilling experience. And don’t forget, drones are perfect for creating unique and visually appealing content for social media. So, grab your new drone and start exploring these awesome possibilities!
1. Choosing Your First Drone
How do you choose the perfect drone for your needs? Consider your skill level and experience, and research the different types of drones available. Don’t forget to check that your chosen drone complies with FAA(USA)/CASA(Australia) regulations for recreational use. DJI drones below 2KG comply.
Look for user-friendly controls, reliable flight time, and read reviews from other drone pilots. The DJI Mini 3 and the new DJI Mini 4 are two of the best drones for beginners, as DJI has managed to cram a whole load of features into a small, well-priced flying machine.
2. Use DJI Quickshots
Once you have your new drone setup you can then access modes like Dronie, Circle, Helix, and Rocket, you can capture epic shots with just a few taps. There’s no advanced flying skills required! So go ahead, explore the different Quickshots available on your DJI drone to impress your Grandma.
3. Joining Local Drone Clubs
By joining a local drone club, you can connect with fellow enthusiasts in your area and tap into a whole new world of drone-flying fun. These clubs often organize exciting meetups, fly-ins, and training sessions to hone your skills. Plus, you’ll get to learn from experienced pilots, share tips and tricks, and become part of a tight-knit community that shares your passion for drones.
4. Drone Racing
Get ready to compete against other drone enthusiasts in adrenaline-pumping races and sharpen your piloting skills as you navigate challenging obstacle courses. Join local drone racing clubs for a fun and competitive community.
5. Bring Your Footage To Life Using Editing Software
Whether you’re a beginner in the photo editing space or have some experience, there are various editing programs available that cater to all skill levels.
Adobe Lightroom is one of the best on the market for picture editing and its brother, Adobe Premiere Pro, is a wizard for video editing. I have used both for years now and enjoy the experience of editing each and every time.
6. Upload Your Footage
Don’t keep those epic shots to yourself; upload them to popular video-sharing platforms like Youtube, Instagram, or Facebook.
There are drone Facebook groups for most major cities around the world with people you can connect with and learn from. Who knows, your creative videos and photographs might just inspire others to take to the skies too.
7. Use Your Drone To Help You Fish
Another great personal drone use is to attach a bait release mechanism to your new remote control gadget for precise casting. Plus, capture epic footage of your fishing adventures from a unique perspective. With drones, fishing just got a lot more exciting!
8. Use DJI Active Track
Active track allows your drone to automatically follow and film you, recording your thrilling activities hands-free. With professional-quality videos of your adrenaline-fueled experiences, you can share your epic footage with friends and followers.
9. Use Your Drone To Look For Sharks
Discover the wonders of the ocean from above and capture breathtaking footage of these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. There’s nothing more exciting than finding a great white shark on your drone and filming it.
Making Money with Your Drone
Want to make some extra cash? Here are some practical ways to turn your personal drone uses into a profitable freelance business.
10. Sell Drones Using Amazon
You can become an Amazon affiliate and sell their drones to earn a commission. With the growing popularity of drones, there is a high demand for these gadgets. Here is an example of an Amazon affiliate link to buy a DJI Mini 3 that I will earn a commission from and you can easily set this up too on the Amazon affiliates page.
11. Upload Your Shots to Istock and Getty Images app
Monetize your stunning aerial photos and videos by uploading them to popular stock image platforms like iStock and Getty Images. It’s a great place to showcase your talent and earn money for your work.
12. Train Other People How To Fly Drones
Teach beginners the art of safe and effective drone flying. Help them master the skills needed for stunning aerial photography. Drone’s are only getting more popular and the newbies need someone to learn from.
13. Using Drones for Property Inspection and Gutter Maintenance
Picture this: instead of climbing up a wobbly ladder with a bucket and a trowel, you can simply send your drone soaring above to check for any issues in those hard-to-reach areas.
Put your drone to work and help homeowners and businesses alike maintain their properties with ease. Your neighbours will be impressed, and who knows, maybe you’ll even get a few referrals out of it.
14. Get Paid As a Real Estate Photographer
Help real estate agents market listings more effectively with drone photography. Capture stunning shots of properties to attract potential buyers and showcase their unique features from an aerial perspective.
Drones in the Professional Field
Drones have found their way into the professional field, revolutionizing various industries. From data collection and surveying to agriculture and wildlife conservation, drones are making a significant impact.
Stay tuned to stay ahead in the drone game!
15. Drones in Data Collection and Surveying
Who needs old-school surveying methods when you can unleash the power of drones? These shiny new gadgets have revolutionized data collection and surveying processes in countless industries.
Say goodbye to hours of painstaking work and hello to accurate and detailed data gathered in a fraction of the time. Drones are the future of efficient and cost-effective surveying.
16. Drones in Agriculture
With drone technology, you can optimize your farming practices and increase your crop yields. These aerial gadgets are perfect for precision agriculture, monitoring crop health, and identifying irrigation needs.
Collect valuable data on soil conditions, plant growth, and even pest infestations using drones. And that’s not all, drones can also help with planting, spraying, and crop monitoring, making farming more efficient than ever before.
17. Drones in Search and Rescue Missions: How Effective Are They?
Drones play a crucial role in search and rescue missions by providing aerial footage and quickly covering large areas to locate missing people. Equipped with thermal cameras, they can detect heat signatures in hard-to-reach areas. Certain drones have the ability to send out and receive sound like a phone to help with search and rescue.
Drones also help assess dangerous situations before sending in personnel, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of rescue operations.
18. Are Drones Revolutionizing Firefighting And Emergency Response?
Drones are transforming firefighting and emergency response by providing valuable real-time data to incident commanders.
Some of the larger drones, like the DJI M30T or DJI M300 have an amazing line of sight which helps with assessing the fire from a safe distance and they can be used in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 50°C.
19. Drones in Journalism and News Coverage
When it comes to journalism and news coverage, drones are revolutionizing the way stories are told. These unmanned aerial vehicles capture unique aerial perspectives that were once only possible with traditional helicopters.
Journalists can now easily cover events and gather footage that would have been challenging to obtain otherwise. Drones allow them to get closer to the action without putting themselves at risk, providing dynamic and engaging visuals that transform the way news is delivered.
20. Aerial Surveying
Drones provide a cost-effective and efficient way to collect detailed data from the sky. With the RTK base station, drones can get a much stronger GPS signal and create precise location and measurement data.
Equipped with cutting-edge photogrammetry software, drones can create precise 3D maps and models, giving businesses accurate data for planning, analysis, and decision-making. Plus, they do it all in record time!
21. Drone Use In Mining
Drones are a great addition to the mining industry, helping with mapping, surveying, and overall progress monitoring. Equipped with specialized sensors, drones can detect changes in terrain and measure stockpile volumes.
22. Wildlife Monitoring
Keeping an eye on our furry and feathered friends has never been easier thanks to nifty gadgets like drones. No need to disturb their habitat when you can use drones for wildlife monitoring—an essential tool for researchers, conservationists, and animal enthusiasts.
Drones capture stunning aerial footage, track animal movements, and provide valuable data for population studies. It’s a win-win for nature and technology!
23. Infrastructure Inspection
Drones are used to inspect critical infrastructure such as bridges, power lines, pipelines, and wind turbines. They can access hard-to-reach areas and capture high-resolution images and videos for maintenance and safety assessments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Make Money With a Drone?
How Can You Make Money With A Drone?
If you are just starting off then flying drones then a great way to make money is to sell footage on stock websites like ShutterStock or Pond5.
Another great way is to print and sell canvas photos that you’ve produced.
Are There Rules To Follow When Flying a Drone For Personal Use?
When flying a drone for personal use, it is crucial to follow regulations. Each country has its own rules, including registration, altitude limits, and no-fly zones.
The main rules to follow in Australia are don’t fly above people, don’t fly above 120 m, and don’t fly within 5.5km of an airport. The rules can be found on CASA’s website.
Research and comply with the regulations in your area to avoid fines and legal issues. Fly responsibly and respect others’ safety and privacy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, drones are not just a fun toy to play with; they have practical uses in various fields. The possibilities are endless, from capturing breathtaking footage of your adventures to helping put out fires.
If you want to make money with your drone, the easiest way is to upload your footage to websites like Istock or Getty Images, which pay your royalties. Drones also play a crucial role in data collection, agriculture, search and rescue missions, journalism, and wildlife monitoring. So why not explore the exciting world of drones and see how they can benefit you?
I'm Matt, a writer and drone photographer with over 6 years in the field. I specialize in all things drones – from buying guides and editing tips to monetization strategies. My goal is to help enthusiasts and professionals alike navigate the exciting world of aerial photography and videography, sharing insights that turn drone passion into expertise and opportunity.
