As the United States of America enters its second week of social distancing and partial quarantines, people everywhere are starting to get a bit stir crazy. The first week was spent adjusting to life isolated from others and bulking up on any grocery products available. Tips about how to keep kids and adults alike entertained and educated are overwhelming, yet very welcome. Whether you are living alone, with roommates, significant others, or kids, another great idea to keep idleness at bay is to look towards drones.

Drones have been making themselves very useful during these turbulent times. Police in China and Spain used drones to remind people to stay indoors while officers stayed at a safe distance. On board the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined off the coast of Japan, an Australian couple had a drone deliver them some wine from a monthly wine club. Last week, Vakis Demetriou from Cyprus used his drone to take his dog for a walk. He attached his small, fluffy, white dog’s leash to his drone. He then let the drone guide his dog down a deserted street for a short walk. Unless you have a very well trained dog, and are an excellent pilot, there could definitely be some better ways to use a drone right now.

For any Part 107 licensed drone operators, there is a good chance jobs are limited right now. One market where drone operators are still in demand is for real estate photography. Commercial and residential properties still need to be sold and agents have realized the huge marketing value drone photography brings their clients. Stay tuned to postings from real estate companies to bring in some cash. Something that is always in demand from drone operators is stock photography. This is a perfect time to go out and take lots of pictures to add to a portfolio. But, as any licensed drone operator knows, be sure to avoid flying in no fly zones such as national parks, government property, or near airports. If you own a great drone, but have not yet gotten a Part 107, this could be the ideal time to begin studying for the exam. Once you obtain a Part 107 you can begin using a drone commercially instead of just for hobby use.

If you have ever been interested in drones as a hobby, there are great deals online right now to purchase one. Businesses everywhere are hungry for customers, including drone manufacturers. There are drones of every level available. Small toy drones are great for kids and first time pilots. With these there is little loss if the drone crashes, a high possibility when in the hands of children or inexperienced pilots. If you are willing to spend a little more money a high quality drone can still be rather affordable. You will be amazed by how much fun you can have flying it around, seeing the world from a different point of view.

There are also drone kits for those who enjoy DIY projects. These come in a variety of challenging levels. Some you have to build completely from scratch, while others are less intensive builds. This could mean custom building a drone and it’s controllers. Whether getting a use out of the box drone, or one you build yourself, it is also a good idea to get some spare parts like rotors or batteries. Another great way to spend some time indoors now is to look into how drone programing works. Being able to understand an manipulate the software that controls a drone could open up endless possibilities in the long run. Drone coding programs are available online or to order direct. There are options for children, novices, or old pros to tinker with.

The bottom line is that drones are in a unique position to provide entertainment and education in a time like this. When operating a drone, the further away from other people you are, the better the scenario is for everyone. Still, it is critical that anyone considering flying a drone do so responsibly. Follow the instructions in the user manual and check out guidelines posted by the FAA, including what are restricted fly zones. Have fun, be safe, and stay healthy.

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