Basic Terminologies used in Drone Industry

A drone refers to an uncrewed aerial vehicle or UAV controlled by a human from a remote location or can operate independently as per set mode. In other words, a drone is something like a flying robot. They are controlled using a ground control software connected to a command and control link.

They hold several on-board working sensors like GPS, GLONASS, and surveying the landscape that helps in proper fight mode operations.

Basic Drone Jargons and Acronyms

1. Almost-Ready-To Fly Known as ARF

ARF is a drone that needs some minor equipment and additional assembly. For example, receiver (Rx) and radio transmitter (Tx). It is a radio transmitter that is known as a radio controller.

2. Bind-N-Fly (BNF)

Bind-N-Fly models are generally RTF drones with a receiver but can't be considered a radio controller. You can purchase these separately.

3. First-Person View (FPV)

In First-Person View (FPV), the video feed is directed from the camera of a drone.

4. Return-To-Home (RTH)

It is a safety feature that enables the drone to autonomously fly back to the controller's location and starting point.

5. Gimbal

Gimbal is a mechanical camera stabilization feature that allows you to get smooth video and clear photos even when your drone is flying at a high range.

6. Headless Mode

For beginner users using this mode means the drone will always travel forward, backward, left, or right on moving your remotes' stick as per your directions despite which way the drone's front is aimed.

7. UTM

UTM refers to Unmanned Traffic Management and relates to systems designed to manage drone traffic from colliding.

8. Remote Pilot

ICAO defines the term as an unmanned aircraft that is piloted from a remote pilot location.

9. GCS

It refers to Ground Control Stations as the sets of ground-based hardware and software that enable UAV engineers to communicate with and operate a drone and its payloads by direct control of the UAV.

10. RTK

RTK stands for Real Tie Kinematic (RTK). It is a GPS fixing technology technique that offers real-time corrections to destination data when the survey drone captures photos of a site.

11. PPK

PPK stands for Post Processed Kinematic, another kind of GPS fixing technology technique that helps correct the location data.

12. Drone Mission Plans

It means an automated flight process that enables the implementation of measurement plans for discrete infrastructure inspections using aeronautical platforms, particularly multi-rotor drones.

13. Flight Plan

Flight Plan implies in ore complex cases when you want to plan your flight, so the drone takes a particular path. The planning can help complete the mission goals and help bypass regulated air spaces, keep track of flying height limitation, battery life.

14. AGL

AGL stands for Above Ground Level defines the literal height above the ground over which you are flying.

15. Take-Off Weight

The maximum takeoff weight or maximum gross takeoff weight of an aircraft is the highest weight at which the pilot is allotted to take off due to structural or other limits.

Four Major Types of Drones

1. Single-Rotor Drones

This drone often generates thrust more effectively than its multi-rotor analogs and makes them ideal for longer flight times.

2. Multi-Rotor Drones

Multi-Rotor drones come with several rotors that are positioned at strategic points on the craft. These additional rotors can make it easier for the craft to maintain its balance and keep the hovering.

3. Fixed-Wing Drones

The lack of rotors and the drones' fixed-wing style makes them more like controllable airplanes than other drones' helicopter shapes. Compared with rotors, their wings provide vertical lift, which means they only require enough power to keep moving forward, making them perfectly suitable for long-range drones.

4. Fixed-Wing Hybrid Drones

They take off and land like multi-rotors and glide like a fixed wing. They are great for delivering cargo over long distances, but are in experimental stage.

Drone categories by Weight

As per India’s national aviation authority, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, using a drone is legal in India, but we suggest being away from and compliant with the drone regulations. All drones except the Nano category must be registered and issue a Unique Identification Number. Here is the proper weight and type of drones as per Indian regulation.

Nano: It is necessary to be less than or equal to 250 grams (.55 pounds).

Micro: It must be from 250 grams to 2kg (4.4 pounds)

Small: It should be from 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) to 25kg (55 pounds)

Medium: In this type, it can be from 25kg (55 pounds) to 150 kilograms (330 pounds)

Larger: It can be greater than 150kg (33 pounds)