Drones may be a relatively new phenomenon, but they actually have their roots in the late 19th century, back when Nikola Tesla first patented an “unmanned vehicle control,” which he predicted would be so deadly that “by reason of its certain and unlimited destructiveness…will bring about and maintain permanent peace among nations.” His patent, which was, more specifically, for “Method of and apparatus for controlling mechanism of moving vessels or vehicles,” was granted in November of 1898. It read as follows:

“In a broad sense, then, my invention differs from all of those systems which provide for the control of the mechanism carried by a moving object and governing its motion in that I require no intermediate wires, cables, or other form of electrical or mechanical connection with the object save the natural modia in space. I accomplish, nevertheless, similar results and in a much more practicable manner by producing waves, impulses, or radiations which are received through the earth, water, or atmosphere by suitable apparatus‘ on the moving body and cause the desired actions so long as the body remains within the active region or effective range of such on currents, waves, impulses, or radiations.” (United States Patent Office)

Tesla first introduced his vision via a small unmanned boat at an exhibition in Madison Square Garden. The unmanned vehicle appeared to change direction upon verbal command, a trick that wowed the audience. In actuality, however, he was using radio frequencies to switch the motors on and off. Still, his idea was so powerful that it warranted further exploration, and it wasn’t long before those radio waves were discovered and used to bring Tesla’s real vision to life. However, it would be decades before drones got to the point they are at today, as there was quite a bit of trial and error along the way.

Let’s Take a Step Back to Pre-Tesla Days

Before Tesla came up with the patent for his unmanned apparatus, the Austrians launched approximately 200 unmanned balloons equipped with explosives over the city of Venice. That was in 1849. Less than 20 years later, both Confederate and Union forces used similar balloons for scouting missions in the U.S. Civil War. In 1896, Samuel P. Langley wowed Washington D.C. as he flew unpiloted aircraft, powered by steam, along the Potomac River for a full 90-seconds, during which the world gained its first glimpse at the future, and the same year that Tesla released his patent, the U.S. military introduced the concept of aerial surveillance by attaching a U.S. military camera to a kite. These were used in the Spanish-American war.

Drones in World War I

Once it was discovered that unmanned vehicles could be used to drop bombs and keep an eye on the enemy, cogs really started moving to produce the type of technology necessary to create a truly unmanned flying vehicle, or the UAV as we know it today. In World War I, aerial surveillance was used to capture series of images that were used to form mosaic maps. Forces would use these images to track enemy movements. By the end of the war, a whopping 19,000 aerial images were taken and an outstanding 430,000 prints were collected after the war. These prints were just from the five-month Battle of the Somme in 1916.

During the war, the U.S. worked on developing a drone that could carry bombs to the target. While many prototypes were tested, it wasn’t until 1918, the end of the war, that a successful prototype made its debut. The Kettering “Bug” did exactly as the military envisioned, but by the time prototypes were perfected, the war was over.

Despite the Kettering Bug having the capabilities to carry a bomb to the exact target, they weren’t an ideal option for military forces. Drones were expensive, but they were feeble, oftentimes getting destroyed by other bigger, more complex machinery. For many forces, the cost of replacing broken drones was not worth it.

On the other hand, rockets were cheap, and they were destructive, but they were erratic. Their unpredictability made military units wary of using them. There was really no telling if a rocket would head towards the intended target or if it would do the exact opposite and come right back at the plane that had launched it. moreover, to ensure that a rocket did reach its intended destination, it wasn’t uncommon to launch multiple rockets at once, which ended up being a huge drain of resources anyways. It was a Massachusetts Dentist, Dr. Henry W. Walden, who eventually solved this problem by developing a prototype for a rocket that could be steered by a pilot who would be stationed in a mothership.

Walen was granted a patent, but because he never received an endorsement from the government, he failed to pay the patent fee. His idea wasn’t realized for years when the Germans developed radio-guided rockets to use in WWII.

Drones in WWII

The Fritz X was introduced by the Germans in September of 1943, when its military used it against Allied Ships in the Mediterranean. This Fritz X did demonstrate a fraction of the destructive potential that Tesla warned about when it sank Italian battleship Roma and severely damaged battleship Italia. However, it was more of a missile than the drone that previous leaders originally envisioned. The Fritz was operated by using a joystick and transmitter, and the cruciform tail is what ultimately ensured that the bomb was on the right trajectory.

Other country’s soon followed suit, and soon each military seemingly had faster, stronger and more accurate missiles to fire at each other. For a time, the missile replaced the whole concept of an assault drone, and talks of drones and research to build them quieted down.

Drones: 1960s-1980s

Except for the Gemini project, in which NASA developed unmanned spacecraft to help astronauts complete their docking missions, there was little drone development going on between the 60s and 80s. The U.S. did develop a more easily controlled “cruise missile,” which were like miniature aircraft in and of themselves, but though they could maintain a lift and be guided in flight, they couldn’t sustain a hover as drones today can, and they didn’t return home; rather, they landed where they eventually fell. It wasn’t until the late 80s and early 90s that the field of technology eventually made the complex advancements necessary that make modern-day drones possible. Once the technology was there, the Air Force began working in earnest on equipping drones with missiles.

1995: The General Atomics MQ-1 Predator UAV

In 1995, the drone that would change the face of drones was envisioned. The Predator Program, as it was known as, was a mission by the U.S. government to create an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The UAV is the closest any government has come to producing a product that is without a doubt an aircraft. The MQ-1 featured a bulbous nose which housed the satellite antennae, long, thin wings like those of a glider, a small glider mounted to the tail and an inverted v-tail, which gives it its foreboding look, as if it is saying that it doesn’t need rest. A small camera pod hangs from the front, effectively giving the military the hovering surveillance equipment it had been striving toward. Best of all, however, the plane-like object was equipped with Hellfire antitank missiles which could be fired at targeted objects.

The Predator continued to be called a UAV until Bob Woodward, a writer for the Washington Post, reintroduced the term “drone” to the vernacular in his article, CIA Told to Do ‘Whatever Necessary’ to Kill Bin Laden. Whether he used the dated term to refer to the old war technology that attempted to do what the Predator can do or because he was tired of all the acronyms surrounding the technology; what is clear is that the term stuck, and once again, the term “drone” was given a whole new meaning.

2010 – Present: The Modern-Day Drone

In 2010, French-based company Parrot unveiled the Parrot AR. Drone at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The quadcopter looked nothing like the drones of the past and was designed strictly for consumer use, leaving many to wonder how it even earned the title of drone in the first place. However, most people didn’t feel compelled to wonder for long, as the quadcopter helicopter could be manned by mobile device or tablet for smooth and easily controlled flight. The battery on this initial drone allowed for 12 minutes of flight time, during which users could interact with other drones in combat simulations or take part in solo games. The Parrot AR even came equipped with a 64-degree camera that had the capacity to record up to 60 fps.

Since the Parrot AR, other companies have followed suit, and now advanced consumer drones are being used for everything from drone racing to capturing live events, and from surveying dangerous areas to delivering small parcels. In fact, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos introduced drone delivery in 2013, and in 2016, the company began its first publicly available trial of Amazon Prime Air.

Of course, it took a lot of work in the legal department to allow drones into the air for commercial. What started as just one FAA exemption—which were for a film and TV production companies—the association has since granted 24 exemptions, one of which is for package delivery and aerial photography.

Consumer drone use also has its regulations, which can be found on the FAA’s website and which all consumers should read in depth before flying. For drone users that want to fly in a way that regulations do not allow, there are drone leagues and drone races, which are growing in popularity and which are featured on ESPN.

Drones Have Come a Long Way, and They’re Bound to Go Even Farther

From unmanned balloons equipped with bombs to the Fritz X, and from The Predator to the Parrot AR, drones have come a long way in the past century and a half, and drone enthusiasts everywhere cannot wait to see what advancements are to come. Of course, drone history is much more detailed than what this brief overview covered, and a more detailed history would include advancements by various agencies at all phases of drone existence. This post, however, sums up the greatest achievements in drone history, and most enthusiasts anticipate the next advancement to make headlines soon enough.

Few hobbies are as instantly exciting or more addictive than droning. Still, whether you are thinking about buying a new drone or have owned one for years, you are probably looking for ways to make drone flying even more thrilling and satisfying. Participating in fun, competitive drone racing is a sure-fire way to take your droning experience to the next level. For good reason, the sport has grown tremendously in recent years. Here is everything you need to know about racing your drone.

What Is a Drone?

In generic terms, drones are flying vehicles that a pilot controls using four fixed-pitch fan blades. These blades spin at varying speeds to direct the drone in any direction. For competition purposes, the definition of “drone” may vary. Individual race rules often limit a drone’s size, power or other features. Prior to registering for a competition, you must review race rules and other restrictions to be certain your drone meets all qualifications. You should also be prepared for race officials to inspect your drone on race day.

What Is a Race?

Many drone operators enjoy flying their vehicles in a competition-free environment. Those looking for more of a challenge, however, often enter their drones in a race. Drone racing, sometimes called rotorcross, offers that challenge in an organized, highly competitive setting.

During the race, pilots fly drones through a pre-set course. Courses usually vary in both length and complexity, giving both new and professional pilots an opportunity to showcase their talents. Generally, both speed and navigation are scored, meaning the pilot must be accurate and fast to beat other competitors. As with any race, failing to follow race rules may result in the assessment of penalties or disqualification from the race.

Drone racing is still in its infancy, with many pilots viewing races to be the drone sport of the future. Also, drone pilots are continually thinking of ways to demonstrate their flying prowess. Thus, new events are sure to crop up in the future. If you haven’t found the perfect drone competition for you, you may be on the forefront of designing an exciting event for other drone operators.

Where Are Races Located?

Drone pilots form associations around the world. These associations frequently hold drone racing competitions. Meanwhile, amateur groups often organize races. To find a race near you, check for drone associations in your area. Becoming a member of one of these groups or joining a group mailing list are both effective ways to learn about upcoming races. Similarly, many drone racing leagues have formed in countries around the globe. These leagues frequently hold races for pilots of all skill levels. If you are serious about participating in many races or supporting the drone racing community, joining a drone racing league is an effective option.

Since drone racing is only beginning to catch on in popularity, you may have to travel hundreds of miles to compete against other pilots. While this can be exciting, it can also be costly. Because drone racers are usually passionate about the sport, they are often happy to help racers establish events in their communities. As such, if there is no race in your area, you may want to start one. Begin by deciding which type of event you want to sponsor. Then, connect with other drone racers for the resources you need to pull off a successful competition.

What Is a Video Race?

One of the most popular types of drone competitions is the first-person video race. With these races, drone pilots outfit their vehicles with a camera. Then, instead of maneuvering the drone using the naked eye, pilots rely on video playback through head-mounted display screens. As you may suspect, controlling a drone using the drone’s visual perspective is often considerably more challenging than a conventional race. Accordingly, drone pilots typically wait to register for a video competition until they have acquired significant drone piloting skills.

During video races, pilots aren’t the only ones who wear headgear. Rather, in many events, spectators also don helmets to give them a first-person view of the action. If race watchers want to see another drone or watch a different competitor, they simply change frequencies. Remember, different racing organizations offer different viewing experiences, so check with your race’s organizers to see how spectators are encouraged to watch your event.

What Is the Global Racing League?

Perhaps the most popular racing organization for video-race droning is the Global Racing League. This league allows pilots to compete for a well-earned, world-championship racing title. Those who participate in the GRL may compete through four stages of racing, each testing their piloting skills in video race. Interestingly, the league does not allow racers to provide their own drones. Instead, all drones used in competition are made and serviced in-house, helping to level the playing field for race pilots. That is, if you win a GRL event, you know it was skill, not your drone, that put you over the top.

Unfortunately, the GRL is exclusive, limiting competition to pilots with exceptional skills. As such, prior to joining the GRL, pilots usually work through an online simulation to give them an idea of course challenges. Remember, many of the courses in the GRL use wind-generating turbines to increase the difficulty of three-dimensional courses.

Participating this series of races often helps pilots become better drone flyers, as the GRL gives participants access to a variety of resources. If you are looking to compete against the best of the best, joining the GRL is a great way to ensure you have top-notch competition.

Are Drone Upgrades Acceptable?

You probably know that not every style of drone is a good fit for every type of flying. Some drones are designed to hover, making them a good fit for aerial photography. Others are built to move through the air quickly, allowing them to dominate on a course where speed is a factor. Before choosing the right drone for your competition, be sure you understand the purpose of the event. Then, select the drone that gives you the best chance of dominating without violating the competition’s rules or restrictions.

As with any sport, drone competitions have rules that govern how participants must behave before, during and after races. These rules dictate which drone upgrades are acceptable and which ones violate the rules. Often, however, pilots choose to customize their vehicles to give them advantages on the course or during the race. Since many aftermarket components help pilots improve drone agility and speed, diligent flyers check with the pertinent associations to avoid violating competition rules. Likewise, pilots often choose to carry spare parts and tools with them on race day. As you may suspect, making fast repairs during a race is critical for remaining competitive.

With the GRL, pilots typically don’t supply their own drones. Instead, league officials give pilots access to drones made and maintained by the league itself. Likewise, if a league-supplied drone sustains damage on race day, GRL rules require pilots use league-approved parts in making repairs. If you plan to participate in a GRL-sanctioned event, check with league officials prior to the competition to be sure you understand how to maneuver the drone used in the race.

What Are Some Other Racing Options?

If you aren’t yet ready for high-level GRL competition, don’t panic. There are hundreds of other racing opportunities, each targeted to satisfy the racing objectives of individual pilots. That is, whether you are a first-time racer or have been racing for years, you can find the perfect competition to showcase your drone piloting abilities. Often, either taking a piloting class or joining a drone group is the best way to learn about races and other competitions. Meanwhile, a growing number of drone racing enthusiasts have begun to offer podcasts, videos, and other informational resources to pilots. Taking advantage of these resources is also a good way to find out about upcoming races and other competitions.

Is Drone Racing Lucrative?

There are hundreds of drone racing events around the globe, each with different objectives. Most who participate in drone racing do so because of a deep love of the sport. Still, competition winners may walk away with thousands of dollars in winnings. Since each competition awards winners with different prizes, be sure to ask about accolades before registering for a competition. Also, remember that racing organizations usually charge an entry fee for competitions. You may also have to pay for travel to and from the event. To get the most out of your racing experience, be sure you budget effectively for all race-related expenses.

Drone racing is probably the sport of the future. Those who participate in the sport understand how incredibly thrilling drone competitions can be. Still, with the variety of events offered by different organizations around the planet, drone pilots can get their racing fix in a seemingly endless number of ways. By discovering which events are right for you, choosing the best equipment, joining drone racing groups and honing your skills, you can likely turn your drone hobby into a passion.

Have you ever considered trying to make some money while you’re having fun flying drones? Pilots of these high-tech devices get to take to the skies as early as their sixteenth birthday, but people of all ages are fascinated by prospect of unmanned flight. These days, they’re doing their flying in some amazing, inspiring and surprising ways.

Since the tech is so new for civilians, the full capacity of these versatile machines is mostly unfamiliar territory. That means there’s a lot of exploration going on, but it also means that it’s a little difficult to get a bird’s-eye view of the drone situation.

Drones’ pilots are often best served by starting with the basics: What are drones, who is allowed to fly them and how do they work? Whether you’re thinking of taking the FAA test to become a drone pilot, you’re curious about the capacity of the devices or you just want to know if it’s legal for you to operate one, here’s some information that can help you out.

What’s a Drone?

It seems like a simple question: “What is a drone?” However, the issue might not be as clear as it appears at first. Pilots of these vehicles aren’t really what you would traditionally consider a pilot at all. They’re more like operators, guiding the drone from a safe distance. However, the opportunities and excitement of flight are all still there. There’s a dizzying variety of brands, types and grades of these devices available. For technical specs and specific data, it’s best to consult a retailer, manufacturer or training center directly, or visit one of those businesses’ websites. For general info, read on.

The Drone, Generally Speaking

In the loosest sense of the term, you might classify almost any unmanned craft by the term, from a trench-exploring submarine to NASA’s Mars rovers. But most drones’ pilots aren’t exploring the depths of the ocean or flying spacecraft, so it’s probably more useful to restrict the definition to the increasingly familiar helicopter-style remote-controlled devices. The Federal Aviation Administration calls them unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS for short.

Now that science has caught up with designers’ imaginations with new materials, energy sources and aeronautics engineering, nearly anyone can own drones. Pilots come from all walks of life, from kids to college professors, and they’re all doing some interesting things. Here are some of the ways people are using drones for fun, profit and community service.

Photography

Some of the most striking examples of great drone use in the past few years came from a pretty simple concept: attaching a camera to a flying object. With quite a bit more accessibility, stability, range and grandeur than possible with older methods, such as hiring helicopters or tossing a cellphone in the air while recording, drones have quickly become a favorite of professional and amateur filmmakers alike.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like on the inside of a volcano? While drones’ pilots can’t quite access the magma chamber yet, there has been some impressive footage recorded of craters, plumes of spewing ash and super-heated lava floes. Too hot for you? Drones have also captured images of glacial caverns and vast icy expanses in Antarctica. Looking for something a little closer to home (assuming you don’t live in Pompeii)? Even getting an aerial view of a local sports match wouldn’t be beneath these devices, figuratively speaking.

Community Service

Drones’ pilots aren’t all artists, photographers or explorers. Some are focused on more local issues. In fact, community and government organizations generate many of the opportunities that come from learning how to operate drones. Politicians, political parties and campaigns often hire pilots for drones to create stunning and motivational overhead images of rallies and speeches.

Police and fire departments use drones to great effect as well. Law-enforcement organizations with limited staff can monitor multiple troublesome areas at once through drone images. Fire control and safety centers can use the technology for routine building inspections, investigations of emergency calls and almost nearly instant assessment of fires for appropriate response sizes. Any or all of these types of government bodies might hire freelancers or regular staff to operate drones. Pilots for drones might also find opportunities in other community service capacities.

More Infrastructure Opportunities

With increased coastal populations, the need for oversight, preparedness and high-tech responses to natural disasters has become more and more apparent. Hurricanes and other tropical storms create havoc on the ground when massive flooding ensues. The old way of boating around just doesn’t work in the context of contemporary urban population density.

Luckily, we have something to fill in the widening gap between the efficiency of response techniques and the number of people who need help. That ‘something’ is drones. Pilots of unmanned aircraft truly make a difference in dire situations like major floods or disasters. These FAA-approved technicians work with first responders to methodically seek out people in need and inform response teams of rescue locations.

Entertainment

People sometimes rent out drones to explore the skies, but this requires professional instruction. Driving a drone without learning the basics first is a recipe for disaster. That’s why many rental outlets also double as flying schools. People go to these licensed businesses to purchase or rent a piece of equipment, but also to learn more about the proper use and capabilities of drones in general. Whether it’s to get an even higher view while mountain climbing, scout fishing opportunities or explore an urban park from the air, people want to get the most out of their free time. To do this, they need to know how to have fun safely with their tech.

Learning To Fly

With all these cool and helpful applications of drones, pilots should have been flying them since their invention. However, that’s not the case. The reason why is pretty simple: FAA guidelines. The FAA only issued rules for civilian drone use in 2016, and only under the following conditions:

• The pilot is at least 16 years old.
• A written test about the rules and basic drone operation is passed.
• The drone in question weighs less than 55 pounds.
• Flight speeds can’t exceed 100 miles per hour.
• The drone has to be registered.
• The drone must stay in visual range at all times.
• Only daytime operation is permitted.
• Pilots are expected to report drone-related injuries (similar to driving a car).

Speaking of that last point, most of the rules and regulations discussed in drones’ pilots’ tests are pretty familiar to anyone who’s ever obtained a driver’s license or taken a driver’s ed class. You even have to take the exam at an approved testing center, similar to visiting the DMV. It’s easy to find an updated list of these locations if you check out the FAA website. There are also some good resources offered through schools, retailers and training centers if you feel like something a little more straightforward than your typical government website. In fact, you might even get two tasks done at once: Some training centers double as approved testing sites.

A Gateway to the Sky

It’s overgeneralizing a little to say that a drone’s pilot’s license is like a car’s driver’s license. Pilots for drones need more specific knowledge, but that’s a good thing in a way. Establishing the context necessary to understand the terms in the drone flight requirements (and therefore pass your test) puts you one step closer to aviation expertise. That’s valuable if you have ambitions beyond unmanned flight. If you’re a young flier, having experience with the rules and terminology of the FAA puts you ahead of the competition when it comes time to apply yourself to your long-term goals, such as military service, piloting aircraft or even space travel.

Drones by the Numbers

If you’re wondering whether you can make money from operating drones, pilots all over the country have already answered that question for you. While competition for many current positions is tight, there are definite benefits to securing a place in what looks to be a booming industry. Getting a position flying a drone or establishing your own organization could get you in on the ground floor of something truly exciting.

To give you an idea of the potential of this business, here are some figures you can really sink your teeth into. PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the largest professional firms in the world, projects huge growth in the unmanned aviation industry. They estimate the value of the emerging global market for drones at $127 billion — that’s a lot of opportunities for those drones’ pilots. They split it up even further into some interesting and surprising industry sectors:

• Mining: $4.4 billion
• Entertainment: $8.8 billion
• Insurance: $6.8 billion
• Agriculture: $32.4 billion
• Transport: $13 billion
• Infrastructure: $45.2 billion

Most people are talking about transportation and delivery when it comes to drones. However, the numbers from this international analysis firm seem to suggest that there’s a lot more opportunity in farming.

With new technology being developed every day, drones are at the cutting edge of many industries. Drone pilots can find employment in anything from taking high-altitude photographs to helping out during natural disasters, and likely many more places as the field continue to advance.