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At a glance
What it is
Comprehensive guide to drone flying including FAA regulations, drone selection by use case, flight fundamentals, aerial photography/videography, FPV racing, and maintenance.
A skill is a written procedure a bot loads when a job calls for it. This one is a single file, SKILL.md, and the whole file is on this page.
The whole file, exactly as it downloads. Read it before you rely on it.
SKILL.md
305 lines · 2,074 words
Gather requirements. Ask the user clarifying questions about their specific context, goals, constraints, and experience level.
Analyze the situation. Review the information provided and identify key factors, challenges, and opportunities relevant to drone pilot.
Comprehensive guide to drone flying including FAA regulations, drone selection by use case, flight fundamentals, aerial photography/videography, FPV racing, and maintenance.
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Download the app, connect the AI you already pay for, and tell your Chief of Staff what needs doing. Plan on about ten minutes from install to a working team.
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Step 1
Send your Chief of Staff this message. It proposes the bot and its role first, and creates it when you say go.
Send this to Ember
“Create a bot that uses the Drone Pilot skill, and show me the plan first.”
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Step 2
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Step 3
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Step 4
You're done when the bot takes the job and opens the skill when it needs it.
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What it teaches a bot, what it covers, and the whole file to read.
What it covers
When to Use
Process
Questions to Ask First
Regulations Overview
Drone Selection by Use Case
Flight Fundamentals
Aerial Photography and Videography
FPV Racing
Maintenance
Flight Planning Tools
Legal and Insurance
Progression Path
Output Format
Example
Edge Cases
Develop the framework. Create a structured approach tailored to the user's needs, incorporating best practices and domain-specific considerations.
Deliver actionable output. Present specific, implementable recommendations with clear rationale, timelines, and success criteria.
Address edge cases. Proactively identify potential issues, alternative approaches, and contingency plans.
Use this skill when:
User needs guidance on drone pilot
User asks about drone pilot best practices or techniques
User wants a structured approach to drone pilot
Do NOT use this skill when:
A more specialized skill exists for the specific subtopic
The request is outside the scope of drone pilot
Before recommending a drone or approach:
What is your primary goal? (Photography/videography, recreation, racing/FPV, inspection, mapping)
Have you flown any drone before? (Never / Toy drones / Camera drones / Professional)
Will you fly commercially (paid work) or recreationally?
What is your budget? ($100-300 / $300-800 / $800-2000 / $2000+)
Where do you plan to fly? (Urban, suburban, rural, beach, mountains)
Do you need portability for travel? Or is a larger drone acceptable?
Are you interested in FPV (first-person view) flying or racing?
Do you have experience with photography or videography?
Must pass TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) - free online, takes 30 minutes
Fly at or below 400 feet AGL (above ground level)
Fly within visual line of sight (VLOS) - you must be able to see the drone
Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports
Never fly over people or moving vehicles
Never fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Fly in Class G airspace only without authorization (most uncontrolled areas)
Must use LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) or DroneZone for controlled airspace
Register your drone with FAA if over 250g ($5, valid 3 years)
Mark registration number on drone exterior
Remote ID requirement: Most drones must broadcast identification information
Required for ANY commercial use (paid photography, inspection, mapping, real estate)
Must pass Part 107 knowledge test at FAA testing center ($175)
Study areas: Airspace, weather, regulations, performance, operations
Certificate valid for 2 years (recurrent test required)
Additional rules: Can fly up to 400 feet, during daylight/civil twilight with anti-collision lights
Waivers available for night operations, over people, beyond VLOS (case by case)
B4UFLY app (FAA official) - Check if you can fly at a location
LAANC - Near-instant authorization for controlled airspace via apps like AirMap, Aloft
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) - Check for NOTAMs before every flight
State and local laws may add restrictions beyond FAA rules
National Parks: Drones are prohibited in all National Park Service areas
Many state parks and city parks also prohibit drones - check before flying
Rules vary dramatically by country
Many countries require registration and/or insurance
Some countries ban drones entirely or require special permits
Always research drone laws before traveling internationally with a drone
EU requires operator registration and CE class marking
Beginner ($300-600):
DJI Mini series - Under 250g (no registration needed in some jurisdictions), 4K camera, 30-38 min flight time, excellent stabilization
Best overall starter camera drone
Intermediate ($800-1500):
DJI Air 3 - Dual cameras (wide + telephoto), 46 min flight time, obstacle sensing
DJI Mavic 3 Classic - Hasselblad camera, exceptional image quality
Professional ($1500-5000+):
DJI Mavic 3 Pro - Triple camera system
DJI Inspire 3 - Interchangeable lenses, dual operator
Autel Evo II Pro - 6K camera, strong DJI alternative
DJI Avata 2 - CineWhoop style, beginner-friendly FPV
DJI FPV drone - Fast, agile, immersive flying
Custom builds - BetaFlight-based, 5" quads for racing (requires soldering skills)
BNF (Bind and Fly) options - iFlight Nazgul, Diatone Roma, GEPRC Mark5
DJI Matrice series - Inspection, mapping, thermal imaging
Autel Dragonfish - Fixed-wing VTOL for mapping
Skydio 2+ - Autonomous tracking and obstacle avoidance
Simulator first - DJI Virtual Flight, Liftoff, VelociDrone
Sub-250g beginner - DJI Mini series, Holy Stone HS720
Practice in large open areas away from people and obstacles
Left stick vertical: Throttle (up/down altitude)
Left stick horizontal: Yaw (rotate left/right)
Right stick vertical: Pitch (forward/backward)
Right stick horizontal: Roll (left/right strafe)
Check weather: Wind under 20 mph (beginners under 10), no rain, good visibility
Check airspace restrictions (B4UFLY app)
Inspect drone: Props secure, no cracks, battery fully charged
Inspect battery: No swelling, proper voltage, firmly seated
Power on controller first, then drone
Verify GPS lock (minimum 8 satellites)
Verify home point is set correctly
Check camera settings and storage (SD card space)
Identify landing zone and emergency landing options
Announce "launching" to nearby people
Hover: Maintain steady position at 10 feet for 60 seconds
Square pattern: Fly a square at constant altitude
Figure 8: Smooth figure-8 pattern
Nose-in hover: Face drone toward you (controls feel reversed)
Orbiting: Circle around a point while keeping camera on it
Landing precision: Land on a specific spot consistently
Return to Home: Practice RTH function, understand its behavior
Signal loss: Most drones auto-RTH; understand your drone's failsafe behavior
Low battery: Land immediately, don't try to fly back if battery is critical
Flyaway: Switch to sport/manual mode and fly back; if unresponsive, use RTH
Bird attack: Slowly descend and land; don't try to outrun birds
Wind: If struggling to return, descend to lower altitude where wind may be weaker
Resolution: 4K for most uses, 5.4K+ for professional work
Frame rate: 24fps (cinematic), 30fps (standard), 60fps (smooth/slow-mo), 120fps (dramatic slow-mo)
Shutter speed: Use ND filters to maintain 1/double-framerate rule (e.g., 1/50 for 24fps)
ISO: Keep as low as possible (100-400)
White balance: Manual (don't let it shift during recording)
Color profile: D-Log or flat profile for post-production flexibility
Reveal: Start facing obstacle, fly up/backward to reveal landscape
Orbit: Circle around subject maintaining camera lock
Dronie: Fly backward and upward from subject
Bird's eye: Straight down, moving forward (great for roads, rivers)
Tracking: Follow a moving subject at consistent distance
Dolly zoom: Fly backward while zooming in (or vice versa)
Hyperlapse: Automated time-lapse with drone movement
Parallax: Fly sideways past foreground object revealing background
Essential for cinematic video (control shutter speed in bright conditions)
ND4: Overcast conditions
ND8: Partly cloudy
ND16: Bright conditions
ND32: Very bright / sunny
ND64: Extremely bright / snow / beach
Brands: PolarPro, Freewell, DJI official
DaVinci Resolve (free) - Professional video editing and color grading
Adobe Premiere Pro - Industry standard ($22/month)
LumaFusion (iPad) - Mobile editing
Lightroom - Drone photo editing, panorama stitching
LUTs (Look Up Tables) - Apply consistent color grades
Start with a simulator (VelociDrone, Liftoff) - Practice 10+ hours before real flying
Get a radio controller that works with sims (RadioMaster Zorro or TX16S)
Choose goggles: DJI O3 system (digital, HD) or analog (cheaper, more latency)
Start with a BNF (Bind and Fly) quad, not a custom build
Find an open field far from people and property
Join local FPV group through MultiGP (multigp.com)
Radio transmitter: $80-200 (RadioMaster, TBS)
Goggles: $100 (analog) to $600 (DJI digital)
Quad frame: 5" most common for freestyle, 3" for indoor/tight spaces
Flight controller: F4 or F7 processor, runs BetaFlight firmware
ESC: Electronic speed controller, 4-in-1 common
Motors: 2306 or 2207 size for 5"
Batteries: LiPo 4S or 6S, 1300-1500mAh for 5"
NEVER charge unattended
ALWAYS use LiPo-safe charging bag
Store at storage voltage (3.8V per cell) if not flying within 24 hours
Dispose of puffed or damaged batteries at battery recycling center
Never puncture, crush, or short-circuit
Charge at 1C rate unless battery specifies higher
Balance charge every time
Inspect propellers for nicks, cracks, or bends (replace if damaged)
Check motor shafts spin freely without grinding
Verify gimbal moves freely and lens is clean
Check battery condition and charge level
Update firmware when available (but not immediately before an important shoot)
Clean camera lens with microfiber cloth
Inspect arms and body for cracks after any hard landing
Check and tighten prop screws
Calibrate compass when in new flying location
Calibrate IMU if drone drifts or behaves erratically
Update firmware regularly
Store batteries at storage charge (3.8V/cell), NOT fully charged
Keep in cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
Prop guards off to prevent warping
Use carrying case for transport
Remove props if not flying for extended period
B4UFLY (FAA) - Airspace restrictions and authorization
AirMap - Airspace, LAANC authorization, flight planning
Aloft (formerly Kittyhawk) - Professional flight planning and compliance
UAV Forecast - Weather conditions specific to drone flying
Google Earth - Pre-scout locations and plan shots
Sun Surveyor - Golden hour and sun position planning
Liability insurance: Recommended even for recreational ($500-1000/year through USAA or State Farm)
Hull insurance: Covers drone damage/loss
Commercial insurance: Required by many clients, available through Thimble, SkyWatch
Privacy laws: Don't record people without consent, avoid flying over private property at low altitude
Property damage: You are liable for any damage your drone causes
Phase 1: Fly simulator 10+ hours, pass TRUST test, buy first drone
Phase 2: Master basic maneuvers, understand airspace rules, first photos/videos
Phase 3: Learn cinematic shots, ND filters, basic editing
Phase 4: Pass Part 107 if pursuing commercial work
Phase 5: Specialize (real estate, events, inspection, FPV, mapping)
Phase 6: Advanced techniques - waypoint missions, photogrammetry, thermal imaging
Deliver the response as a structured document with clear headings and actionable content. Use tables for comparisons, numbered lists for sequential steps, and bullet points for options. Include specific examples where applicable.
[Drone Pilot deliverable]
1. Context and objectives
2. Analysis or framework
3. Specific recommendations with rationale
4. Action items with timelineInput: "Help me with drone pilot for a mid-size project."
Output: A complete drone pilot framework tailored to the specific context, with actionable steps, relevant considerations, and measurable outcomes.
Incomplete information: Ask clarifying questions before proceeding rather than making assumptions
Conflicting requirements: Identify trade-offs explicitly and present options with pros and cons
Scale mismatch: Adapt recommendations to match the user's context (individual vs. team vs. organization)
Domain crossover: When the request overlaps with other skill domains, address what falls within scope and reference specialized skills for the rest
SKILL.md
305 lines · 2,074 words
The text of SKILL.md is shown as it downloads, under the Apache-2.0 license, by Ferrox Labs. The license is the one in the file's own frontmatter.
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