WorldWide Drilling Resource

Want Expert Drone Skills? Adapted from Information from CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 You’ve seen them on the trade show floors, your buddy down the road has one, but how hard is it to fly a drone? From jobsite monitoring to survey mapping and leak detection, drones are becoming increasingly familiar jobsite tools. As companies begin implementing this technology, they are also discovering the learning process can take some time. Want to become a skilled drone operator? Here are some operational and safety tips to help you on your way: / First, you must register your drone with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). All new owners of a drone weighing more than .55 grams and less than 55 pounds are required to register with the FAA’s new Unmanned Aircraft Registration system. / Each drone is unique, and the best way to learn about it is to read the manual carefully. / Remember, getting good with a drone requires practice. Learn what each button and function of your drone does and practice using them together and in combination. / Check your drone before you fly. Go through a preflight checklist, just like a real pilot. / The most common way people crash drones is by getting distracted while flying, so pay attention when you fly. / Practice flying without global positioning system (GPS). New drone users should practice flying their drone without the assistance of GPS technology. / Be sure to educate yourself on drone laws where you live and prepare for them to change. More than 30 states, as well as the District of Columbia, have drone laws in place. Although the FAA has ultimate authority over drones, it’s wise to consult the laws in your state on a regular basis. / Don’t take your drone to crowded public areas. The National Park Service has a drone ban in place, so national parks and monuments are off limits. Drones are also banned from large public events. / Prevent your drone from hitting birds. Since birds communicate using sonar, some territorial birds could interpret your drone’s visual positioning system as a sign that it’s moving on their territory. / Be careful flying in the wind. Windy days make it harder to fly with stability or accuracy. / If you are going to film, make sure you plan your flight path and shots before you enter the skies. Survey the area you want to film on foot, and create a sequence based on the environment, your abilities, and equipment. / Don’t forget to keep spare parts on hand so you can make repairs in the field. On the safety side of things, here are a few things to keep in mind as well: ( If you’re about to crash into something, turn the throttle down to zero, so you don’t destroy your drone or injure somebody. ( Keep your fingers away from the propellers when they’re moving. ( Unplug and take out the battery before doing any work on it. ( If you’re a beginner learning to fly indoors, tie your drone down or sur- round it by a cage. By practicing these tips, you’ll become an expert drone operator in no time! Editor’s Note: In between our print issues, the WWDR Team prepares an electronic newsletter called E-News Flash E-News . Based on readership, this was the most popular E-News Flash article of the month. Ge t in on the action and subscribe today at: www.worldwidedrillingresource.com Visit us at NGWA Las Vegas Booth 130 Visit us at UCT Ft Worth Jan 29-31 Booth 702 Visit us at Mtn States GW Laughlin NV Feb 7-8 Booth 55 Steve Wageman Global Industrial Sales: swageman@bestolife.com WHAT ALL THE BUZZ IS ABOUT! For more than 80 years, BESTOLIFE ® premium compounds have lead the market for drilling, production, and industrial applications. We offer a diverse lineup of superior lubricants proven to extend the life of drill pipe and equipment, and increase efficiency for contractors on the toughest and most demanding drilling jobs with premium thread compounds for oil and gas industry, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) compounds, and water well and industrial compounds. All of our products are formulated and manufactured according to the strictest standards of quality to assure our compounds meet or exceed industry requirements and customer needs. Our perpetual commitment to quality and research ensures every BESTOLIFE compound... Applies Like Honey, and Works Like a Bee! (214) 583-0343 bestolife.com 15 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® NOVEMBER 2018 DIR The golden rule of drone flying is keep your drone in sight. By keeping visual contact, you’ll be able to see potential obstacles or hazards and find it harder to accidentally fly out of range. Thank you for publishing these articles. They are a great service to Water For Life. Tim Rasmussen Water For Life International