Free Sample
The Purple Guide to Learning Drone Flying in 10 Days
A 10-day starter plan to get you safely airborne, flying controlled figures, and deciding if this hobby is for you
by Alumigogo Books
Chapter 1: First Day
Welcome to day one. Let's set a realistic expectation right now: you will not be flying through hoop obstacles or filming a short film today. You will be doing something more important. You will be proving to yourself that a small, plastic, buzzing machine can be steered by your thumbs, and that you can make it come down exactly where you want it to. That is the entire goal for today, and it is a bigger deal than it sounds.
First, let's talk about what you need. You do not need the shiny drone you saw in a YouTube ad. You need what we call a "micro drone," a small, lightweight quadcopter usually under 50 dollars. They are often sold as toys, but they are perfect for learning. They are durable, they are light enough that they won't dent your furniture or break your lamp, and they are simple to control. You also need a clear space. A living room with the coffee table pushed aside, a long hallway, or a garage floor that has been swept clean. The space should be roughly six feet by six feet, with a ceiling at least eight feet high. You need enough room to make a mistake and not panic.
As you unbox your drone, look at the controller. It likely has two sticks. The left stick is your throttle. Push it up, and your drone will rise; pull it down, and it will fall. The right stick is