Drone Fly Away: Reasons, Solution & Preventive Measures

The use of drones has become increasingly popular in recent years, with more people finding them a fun and accessible way to capture footage of their surroundings. Unfortunately, some users have experienced the issue of a drone flying away and not being able to find it afterward.

Here we’ll look at what you can do to try and locate your drone if a drone fly away from you. Welcome, as this guide will help you understand the ways to both prevent a drone from flying away, as well as locate it if it does happen.

Common Causes of Drone Fly Aways

Drone flyaways can be a terrifying experience for any drone pilot and can be caused by a variety of factors.

Cause 01: Technical malfunction: One of the most common causes of drone flyaways is a technical malfunction. This can occur due to a faulty motor or ESC (Electronic Speed Controller), a damaged propeller, or other hardware issues. It is important to perform regular maintenance and checks on your drone to ensure that all components are in good working condition.

Cause 02: Software glitches: Another cause of drone flyaways can be software glitches, which can cause the drone to lose its GPS signal or to react unpredictably to commands. This can happen if the drone’s firmware is not up to date or if there are bugs in the software. It is important to keep your drone’s software up to date and to regularly check for any known issues with the software.

Cause 03: Interference from other electronics: Interference from other electronics can also cause a drone flyaway. This can happen if the drone’s radio signal is interrupted by other electronic devices, such as cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, or even power lines. It is important to fly your drone in areas with minimal electronic interference and to avoid flying near high-voltage power lines.

Cause 04: Pilot error: Finally, a pilot error can also be a common cause of drone flyaways. This can happen if the pilot is inexperienced, makes a mistake in controlling the drone, or misjudges the weather conditions. It is important to always fly within your skill level, to practice in safe and open areas, and to pay attention to weather conditions and any warnings or restrictions in the area.

Also Read, Can a Drone Fly in Strong Winds? (A Complete Guide)

What to Do When a Drone Flies Away?

If your drone has flown away, there are a range of steps you can take to try and locate it.

1. Check the Battery Life: If the battery is still functioning, the drone may remain in the same place until it runs out of power. Checking how much battery life is left can provide an idea of how long the drone will stay.

2. Activate Tracking: Many high-end drones now come with tracking capabilities that enable you to find their location via GPS or even use a mobile app. Activate this feature if available on your device.

3. Check Camera Feeds: Your drone may be broadcasting video feed from its onboard camera if this feature is enabled. Check these feeds online to see if you can locate the drone’s position.

4. Contact Local Law Enforcement: Depending on where you are flying, you may need to contact local law enforcement officers who will help search for your lost drone. Make sure you provide them with as much information about your device as possible, such as model number and size, so they know what to look for.

5. Check nearby trees and tall buildings: It can be easy to overlook the fact that a drone might have been stuck inside a tree or on the rooftop of a building. Make sure to search these areas by using binoculars or by walking around with a ladder if necessary.

You may also need to use sticks to check for possible openings in trees, such as hollows and branches that are out of reach. Be careful when checking these areas, as you don’t want to damage your drone further.

6. Use a drone recovery service as a last resort: If you have exhausted all of the steps mentioned above and still haven’t been able to locate your drone, it may be a good idea to enlist the help of a professional drone recovery service.

These services charge a fee for locating and, if possible, recovering lost drones. They use advanced tracking technology that can be used to pinpoint the drone’s location and bring it back to its owner.

However, this is usually a last resort, as the cost involved in hiring these services may be higher than replacing the drone itself.

Also Read, Drone Battery Charging Time: How Long It Takes?

How To Prevent Drone Fly away?

Drone flyaways can be a scary and costly experience. To prevent them, here are some tips to keep in mind before takeoff:

Tip 01: Always calibrate the compass and GPS before flying: This will ensure that your drone knows its orientation and position, reducing the chances of it flying off course.

Tip 02: Keep your drone within visual line of sight: This means keeping your drone in your field of vision at all times. Flying beyond the visual line of sight can increase the risk of flyaways.

Tip 03: Avoid flying near airports or other no-fly zones: These areas are often restricted and may interfere with your drone’s communication systems.

Tip 04: Make sure your batteries are fully charged before takeoff: Low battery levels can cause your drone to lose power mid-flight, potentially leading to a flyaway.

Tip 05: Consider adding anti-flyaway features to your drone, such as a return-to-home function: This will allow your drone to automatically return to its takeoff point if it loses connection with the controller or experiences any other issues.

Also Read, Importance of Retrieving a Crashed Drone

Conclusion

It is important to be aware of the common causes of drone fly aways and take proactive steps to prevent them. Technical malfunctions, software glitches, interference from other electronics, and pilot error can all contribute to unexpected flyaways.

Taking precautions such as installing failsafe systems, using protective cases, and regularly checking for software updates are effective ways to reduce the risk of a drone flyaway.

If a drone goes missing despite these efforts, then it’s essential to know what steps can be taken for a successful recovery. Searching nearby trees and tall buildings is the first step and may yield results.

We thank you for taking the time to read this article on how to find a flying-away drone – we hope that our tips help you locate yours!