Learn How to Fly a Drone at Summer Camp

Have you ever wanted to fly a drone? Or wondered what a bird sees as it flies high above the ground? 

If you want the chance to learn to fly a drone, you can do just that at Pali Adventures Aviation summer camp!

Keep reading to learn more about drones, how to fly them, and why we include them as part of our aviation camp. 

What is a Drone?

In case you didn’t know, a drone is essentially a tiny aircraft. It flies by using several high-powered fans that keep it in the air. 

The official term for a drone is “unmanned aerial vehicle” or UAV. The term is used to refer to any type of aircraft that doesn’t have a person inside. Instead, they are controlled remotely. 

Often, drones have a built-in camera or else allow you to attach a camera to it. This is because many people use drones for surveillance or to take pictures and videos they wouldn’t otherwise be able to take. 

There are four main categories that all drones fall into. These include:

• Multi-rotor drones
• Single-rotor helicopters
• Fixed-wing drones
• Fixed-wing hybrids

Here at Pali Adventures, we use multi-rotor drones that have four rotors for maximum stability. These are referred to as quadrotors. 

How to Fly a Drone

Let’s go over the steps you will take while at Pali Adventures to fly a drone. Knowing these in advance will help you be prepared for the real deal. 

1. Learn the Terminology

Before grabbing a controller, it’s essential you know some drone terminology. These are the same terms that are used in manned aircraft, so it’s important to learn them if you want to learn to fly a plane or helicopter. 

Here are a few of the terms you need to know to fly a drone:

• Throttle
• Roll
• Yaw
• Pitch

These are the ones that control the movement of the drone, whether you’re moving forward, up or down or spinning in a circle. 

2. Memorize the Controls

Once you learn the correct names for everything, you can start to memorize the controls. You’ll start with the basics and then move up to more difficult maneuvers. 

The first thing you’ll do with the drone is to learn how to hover. This means getting it off the ground and having it remain in one place. Hovering is the easiest maneuver to learn. 

From there, you’ll start using the controls one at a time to move the drone forwards, backward, sideways, and in a circle. That will help you learn each one separately before you start putting them together into more complicated flight patterns. 

3. Master All the Maneuvers

After you get down the basics, you can start taking the drone to new heights and try more complex movements with it. 

Before long, you’ll be able to operate all of the controls at the same time and get the drone to go where you want it without thinking much about what you need to do to get it to move. Eventually, it will become second nature to you. 

The drones our campers use do not have cameras. 

Why Drones Are an Essential Part of Aviation Camp

Here at Pali Adventures, one of our main goals is to teach you skills that you can take home with you and apply to every area of your life. 

At aviation camp, we strive to teach you:

• Self-confidence 
• Independence
• Critical thinking 
• Strategic planning 

All of these things will help you in every aspect of your future. But what do drones have to do with this?

As you fly a drone, you have the chance to develop all of these skills. You’ll carefully plan the route you’re going to take, think through any obstacles you face, and make decisions on your own. Plus, there’s no greater way to build self-confidence than to master a new skill. 

For these reasons and more, we consider drones an essential part of aviation summer camp. 

Other Aviation Summer Camp Activities

There are several other activities you can participate in while at Pali Adventures summer camp. These offer more opportunities to build your skills and are a lot of fun as well. 

Let’s take a closer look at three of the other activities you’ll get to participate in while at aviation summer camp. 

Rocket Building

The first thing you learn at aviation camp is how flight works. Then, you’ll use that knowledge to design, build, and launch a rocket! 

It’s a fun way to get to know your fellow campers as you work in teams to try to create the rocket that soars the highest and stays in the air the longest. 

VR Flight Simulation

By far the safest way to enjoy the sensation of flying a plane is by staying on the ground with a virtual reality (VR) headset and controls. 

With our VR flight simulators, you can know what it feels like to fly a real plane and learn more about the controls and practice maneuvers without having to leave the ground. 

Flight Over Camp

The highlight of the week for most campers at aviation camp is the flight in a helicopter with a qualified and pilot instructor. 

You’ll learn all about the helicopter and what it’s like to be a pilot as you fly up into the air and over Pali Adventures. It’s the chance of a lifetime and anyone interested in flying aircraft will be thrilled to have this amazing opportunity. 

Ready to Enroll at Pali Adventures?

Now you know more about how you can enjoy flying a drone at Pali Adventures aviation summer camp. As you can imagine, it can be tricky to learn, but that’s why we have experienced staff members to help you figure it all out. 

If you haven’t done so already, enroll today for aviation camp. Specialty camps at Pali Adventures fill up quickly, so be sure to register so you don’t miss out on your chance to enjoy everything our camp has to offer.