When drones get stuck in trees, people freak out. Petrified of getting their drone stuck while shooting a video or photo, homeowners and recreational fly drone users panic and end up damaging their devices instead of retrieving them. Though it sounds like the stuff of nightmares, getting your drone stuck in a tree is actually quite common. The problem lies with how pilots handle their craft. Drones that get hung up on high branches tend to do so for one of two reasons: Either the device is caught on something that’s much lower or the device has gotten snagged by a low-hanging branch. When this happens, pilots will usually just manually lower it from where it got stuck to the ground again and continue flying. Below we’ll explain why we recommend avoiding certain locations for filming and taking photos, as well as how you can prevent your drone from getting snagged instead.
Why You Should Avoid Flying Where You Live
You should avoid flying where you live if you don’t have a designated place to fly your drone. It’s easy to get frustrated by the restrictions when you don’t know where you can fly safely. But in reality, your drone is more likely to get stuck in trees and other common scenarios if you film or photograph there. { The device is caught on something that’s much lower } This happens when your drone has gotten snagged on something that’s much lower than the height of the tree from which it got stuck. In this case, it’s typically just a matter of lowering it down from where it got stuck and continuing filming or taking photos. This scenario is rare.
Avoid Flying When It’s Windy
Flying when the wind is coming from a certain direction can cause the drone to snag. Our advice is to always fly when there isn’t any wind present. If you want to get a unique shot with your drone, try flying it in an enclosed space such as a building or parking garage or even an underground parking lot. In cases like these, the wind won’t be able to reach your craft and cause it to get stuck. When securing your drone while flying at low altitudes, make sure not to tie anything around your arms or legs that could cause it to have more of a chance of getting caught on something.
Watch Out for Water
, Branches, and Low-Hanging Trees Pay attention to the weather and forecast before flying. When you get your drone out, be sure to avoid locations with a lot of wind or branches that are near water. If you do end up in a sticky situation, try to calm yourself down. This will help you better assess the situation and work toward a solution that doesn’t damage your device. We recommend avoiding low-hanging trees, as they often present the greatest risk for drone snags. Using the drone stabilizer feature on your device can help you orient it so that it flies straight up from where it got stuck instead of back down again to earth. If your device does get caught on something lower in height than where it got stuck, we recommend lowering it slowly from what’s holding it before pulling any other maneuvers. This will prevent any unnecessary strain on the aircraft motor or propellers that could cause damage.
Watch Out for Other Drones
One thing to keep in mind before flying any drone is that you should always be cautious of other drones. If you’re using a drone for the first time, it’s important to watch out for any other aircraft. It’s easy to lose track of what’s in your immediate area when shooting with an innovative device like a drone. Because of this, it’s important to pay particular attention when flying your drone and make sure you know where all the nearby aircraft are located. Another way to avoid getting your drone caught on something is by taking note of what your drone sees and avoiding areas with lots of trees or foliage (such as parks). Drones have cameras that can capture footage from various angles, so if you want to get high-quality footage, then avoid dense forests or anything that has lots of vegetation. Instead, fly out over open ground or near clearings or manicured areas with no trees. If you’re near a park, consider building up some height before flying so that you can see around the trees before landing.
Don’t Fly in the Dark
If you’re going to fly your drone, don’t do it at night. Drones are not designed for low light conditions, so if you want to avoid the risk of getting your craft stuck in a tree, make sure you stick to flying during the day.
Protect Your Device From UV Rays
UV rays are a major concern for drone pilots, and in particular those taking photos or videos. UV rays can have a negative impact on your camera’s lens. If you can avoid the sun, do so because the light from the sun will make it harder for your camera to capture high quality images.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a professional photographer or a regular citizen like most of us, drones are a lot of fun to use and make for some great aerial videos and photos. There are some restrictions on their use, however, which you should be aware of before you fly.
