We all grew up folding paper airplanes to enjoy the wonder of flight. We knew the basic principles, how air pushed against the wings and held the aloft, and we became more intrigued with learning how to keep them up longer and longer.
We graduated to balsawood gliders, moved smoothly into RC controlled aircraft, and now we stand at the dawning of the next generation of remote controlled aircraft – the drones.
What Makes Drones Different?
The principles are the same as our old hobby store aircraft, but this generation relies on precise engineering to maintain power and altitude much longer. The updated craft are engineered to carry more significant payloads – from the fledgling Amazon delivery fleet to unique military applications of directed munitions and life saving surveillance equipment.
But the low cost and simple flight controls make them accessible to anyone on the open market, such as the top of the line Hubsan X4 H107C, a pocket-sized mini drone with built in video recording. Working off a 2.4GHz transmitter, the X4 maintains long flight with an integrated LiPo battery and a software system bordering on AI capability for keeping smart stability.
Hubsan X4 H107C
With a miniature size and a large functionality, the X4 is a perfect starter vehicle to answer the question, how are drones controlled. It runs off of two programs: one for beginners and one for experts, with realistic X-Y controls. For the beginner mode, the X6 is programmed to optimize flight while in use, and settle into hover mode when the controls are released.
Check Price Of Hubsan X4 H107C On Amazon
How are Drones Controlled
In order to answer the question, how are drones controlled, it’s important to realize the basic equipment being used. First, there is the aircraft itself which is comprised of the aircraft body, power supply, engine, propellers, and a receiver. The transmitter is in the remote control unit. A signal is broadcast to the aircraft, telling the internal software how and when to adjust the movement gears in the engine and attached propellers.
The substantial power source maintains the light weight propeller rotations, and depending on whether the angles of the props are changed, or the angle of the wings, this is what controls the drone when it moves about in the air. By adjusting the relationship between the propellers and the angle of the wings, a drone can be made to move in any direction with the flip of a thumb joystick.