Flight School for Kids: Learning to Pilot a Drone

By Brian Thomas

Unlock the thrilling world of drones with this exciting guide designed just for young explorers! Packed with hands-on tips, real-world examples, and plenty of inspiring ideas, this book takes kids on a journey from their very first lift-off to advanced maneuvers in the skies. Whether it's learning to fly saf

• Language: English
• Publisher: SL Editions
• Release date: Nov 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9798330545506

Brian Thomas

Brian Thomas is the founder of THOMAS LAW, a Chicago based law firm engaged in the representation of individuals and families that have suffered catastrophic losses due to the conduct of others in personal injury, workers compensation, medical malpractice and wrongful death.  Due to his achievements and reputation within the Chicago legal community, he was named one of Illinois top 40 attorneys under the age of 40; this honor is achieved by less than 1% of all Illinois attorneys.  He has also been regularly named an Illinois Super Lawyer.   In 2021, with the help of Illinois State Representative Maurice West, he drafted a law making it illegal to call the police on people of color in public spaces simply because they are people of color.  He has served as a director on boards for entities involved in fair housing in Chicago and mentorship for children in underserved communities. He has also been featured as an in-studio guest on Chicago radio discussing state and local politics.     Brian received his law degree from DePaul College of Law in Chicago and received his bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.     He is a kidney transplant patient. The experience provided context to his life from an early age, as he has a deep understanding of the preciousness of life, good health and the importance of intentionally living a life you want to live.   Brian lives in Northbrook, Illinois, with his wife and two children, where in his spare time he follows his children around in their sports and theatrical endeavors.    

Book preview

INTRODUCTION: WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF DRONES

Imagine if you could fly like a bird, soaring high in the sky, seeing everything below you in a whole new way. That’s exactly what it can feel like to be a drone pilot! You’re up there, seeing the world from angles that most people never get to experience. And the coolest part? You don’t even have to leave the ground! With just a few controls in your hands, you can make a drone fly, dip, and zoom across the sky.

But where did this amazing idea of flying machines even come from? Drones may seem like something straight out of science fiction, but people have been fascinated with making things fly for a long, long time. Let’s jump back a few hundred years and dive into how drones became popular and went from a wild idea to a real, everyday thing.

The Early Days of Flying Machines

People have been dreaming about flying for centuries. Ancient inventors watched birds in the sky, wondering how they could join them up there. Fast forward to the 1800s and early 1900s—people started making the first airplanes! The Wright brothers are famous for their early flying machines, but others, like scientists and inventors, were already experimenting with different types of aircraft, not only for people but for smaller, unmanned devices too.

These early attempts weren’t like the drones we know today, of course. Some were powered by strings, or even just the wind. But each small invention brought us closer to the idea of flying machines that didn’t need a pilot onboard. The idea of a flying machine that could be controlled from the ground—a real drone—started to take shape.

Drones During Wartime

Strange as it might sound, drones didn’t start as toys or even cool gadgets for making videos. They actually got their start in the military! During World War I and World War II, the military began to experiment with creating small planes that didn’t need a pilot onboard. They wanted a machine that could be controlled from far away to help with difficult and dangerous tasks.

The first real drone that looked and worked a little bit like what we have now was called the Kettering Bug. This small, unmanned plane was designed to carry a bomb and could fly all by itself once launched. Of course, these early military drones were nowhere near as reliable or fancy as modern drones, and they were very hard to control. But the idea was there: a flying machine controlled from a distance.

The Technology Keeps Getting Better

As time went on, the technology used in drones improved a lot. Scientists and engineers continued to work on making them more accurate and easier to control. In the 1960s and 70s, drones started to be used for things like taking pictures and spying. These drones could fly for longer distances and had cameras attached, which made them very useful for seeing places that were hard to reach.

Around this time, drones were mostly only available to governments and big companies. They were still expensive, difficult to control, and often used for serious purposes. But all of this would change as the years went by.

The Rise of Drones for Fun and Exploration

In the early 2000s, drones finally started to become more popular with regular people. This was because of a few important changes. First, the technology became smaller and more affordable. Companies figured out how to make lightweight materials, tiny cameras, and compact batteries that allowed drones to be much easier to use. Instead of being only for military or government use, drones were now becoming something that people could own and fly just for fun.

Companies began to release drones that could be flown with simple controls. Suddenly, anyone could buy a drone, charge it up, and start flying it in their backyard. At first, they were mostly used by hobbyists—people who loved flying model airplanes or remote-control helicopters. But as drones got even better, their uses expanded quickly. People realized that drones could capture amazing video footage, making them popular with photographers and filmmakers too.

Drones and Social Media: A Perfect Match

One of the biggest boosts to drones’ popularity came from a surprising place: social media. When Instagram, YouTube, and other video-sharing platforms started becoming popular, people wanted cool and unique ways to share their lives and experiences. Drones gave people a way to capture videos and pictures that looked like they came straight out of a movie. Imagine flying a drone over a beautiful beach or capturing a mountain from above—it looked awesome, and people wanted to do it themselves.

Social media quickly filled up with breathtaking drone shots, and soon everyone wanted to give it a try. Kids, adults, explorers, and even scientists saw the potential of drones for capturing the world from high up in the sky. The best part? It didn’t require years of flying experience—just a good drone, some practice, and a creative eye for capturing a cool scene.

Why Drones Are So Fun to Fly

Flying a drone isn’t just about taking pictures or videos. There’s a lot more to it than that! Flying a drone can feel like a game where you have full control over a tiny, buzzing machine. You’re the pilot, but without the need for a huge plane or complicated equipment. You get to experience a mix of control, strategy, and adventure all rolled into one.

Some drones are designed for fun tricks, like flips and spins, which can make you feel like a stunt pilot. Others are built for racing, where pilots compete to see who can zoom through courses the fastest. Each drone is different, and each one offers a unique way to experience flight.

Drones in Our Lives Today

Today, drones are everywhere. Farmers use drones to check on their crops, firefighters use them to spot fires, and scientists even use them to explore volcanoes or track wildlife. There are also delivery drones that can bring packages to people’s doorsteps, and search-and-rescue drones that can help find lost hikers.

Kids and adults alike are learning to fly drones, whether as a hobby or as part of their work. What used to be something you might see only in a movie or a science lab is now part of everyday life. You can buy a drone in a store, take it to a park, and start exploring the sky.

If this all sounds exciting, you’re not alone. More and more kids and teens are taking up drone flying, and the possibilities keep expanding as new drones are invented. Flying a drone is about more than just piloting; it’s about using your imagination, problem-solving skills, and even a bit of science. Once you start flying, you’ll begin to see the world in a new way, with every new view from above offering a fresh perspective.

What makes drones exciting

What makes drones so exciting, especially for kids? It might be that sense of flying something of your own or the thrill of seeing the world from high above. Drones give kids the chance to experience technology in a way that feels both fun and powerful. With a drone, you can explore, play, and even learn new skills, all while having a blast.

Seeing the World in a New Way

One of the coolest things about drones is that they let you see things from a completely different perspective. Imagine watching the world from above, where everything looks small and different. Trees look like little patches of green, cars seem like toys, and rivers become twisting lines cutting through the landscape. Drones let you step outside your normal view and see everything in a new way, almost like you’re a bird soaring high in the sky.

Imagine taking a drone to your local park or even your own backyard. As it climbs higher, you start to notice details you wouldn’t see from the ground. Maybe there’s a hidden pathway between the trees or a spot where the water sparkles in a way you’d never noticed before. Flying a drone is like having special super sight that lets you find cool things wherever you are. It makes the world feel a bit more magical and full of surprises.

The Thrill of Controlling Flight

There’s something truly exciting about holding a controller and knowing that every move you make is guiding the drone in the air. It’s almost like playing a video game, but instead of seeing things on a screen, it’s all happening right in front of you in real life. Each little movement you make with the controls has an immediate effect, and you get to decide where the drone goes.

Learning to fly a drone takes practice, and that’s a big part of the fun. The first time you take off, it might wobble a bit or even crash (don’t worry, that happens to everyone!). But each time you fly, you get better and better at controlling it. The way a drone responds to your commands can feel like a dance between you and the machine, where you’re constantly adjusting, learning, and improving. When you nail a new move or land smoothly after a tricky flight, it’s a huge thrill. Each flight brings new challenges and new ways to grow as a pilot.

Drones Can Do Cool Tricks

Did you know that some drones can do flips, spins, and other tricks? That’s right! With a bit of practice, you can make a drone do all kinds of stunts that look super impressive. Imagine sending your drone up into the sky and, with a quick press of a button, watching it flip in mid-air before gliding back down. It’s the kind of thing that makes you feel like a pro pilot.

Learning tricks can be a lot of fun because it takes skill and timing. Each trick is a bit like solving a puzzle—learning when to press the controls, how high the drone should be, and how to recover after the move. Getting it right isn’t always easy, but that’s part of what makes it so satisfying. And once you’ve mastered a few tricks, you can put on a mini air show for your friends and family, showing off your skills as a drone pilot.

Exploring Technology Through Play

Drones aren’t just about flying; they’re also a way to get curious about technology. Have you ever wondered how a drone stays in the air, or how it knows where it’s going? Drones are packed with amazing technology, like sensors that help them balance, cameras that capture images, and even GPS that tells them exactly where they are. Flying a drone gives you the chance to get hands-on with these cool technologies and start to understand how they work.

As you learn to fly, you’ll likely discover terms like altitude (how high the drone is) and throttle (how much power you’re giving the drone to fly higher). You’ll get to learn about battery life and how to take care of your drone’s parts. Each flight is a little lesson in science and engineering without ever feeling like school. By