Drone Glossary

Manual flight mode where the drone only stabilizes rate of rotation, not attitude. The drone will flip if you hold the stick - the basis for all freestyle and racing flying.

DJI's subject tracking technology that uses AI to follow moving subjects while avoiding obstacles. Essential for action sports and dynamic filming scenarios.

Above Ground Level - The altitude measurement from the ground directly below the drone. FAA limits recreational drones to 400 feet AGL in uncontrolled airspace.

A self-leveling flight mode that automatically returns to level when sticks are centered. Limits maximum tilt angle for stability. Ideal for beginners and camera work.

Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems - DJI's obstacle avoidance technology that allows drones to navigate around obstacles autonomously during flight.

The safety command that enables (arms) or disables (disarms) the motors. Prevents accidental motor spin. Usually activated by holding both sticks in a specific position or flipping a switch.

Attitude Mode - A flight mode where GPS positioning is disabled, and the drone relies only on its barometer and IMU. The drone will drift with the wind and requires more pilot skill.

The process of pairing a transmitter with a receiver so they communicate on the same channel. Usually involves holding a button while powering on the receiver.

The type of motor used in most modern drones. More efficient, powerful, and durable than brushed motors because they use electromagnets instead of physical brushes for rotation.

Beyond Visual Line of Sight - Flying a drone where the pilot cannot see it directly. Requires special FAA waivers and is common in commercial delivery and inspection operations.

A measurement of how fast a battery can discharge. Higher C-ratings allow batteries to deliver more current for high-performance maneuvers. FPV batteries often have 75C-150C ratings.

A flight mode optimized for smooth, cinematic footage with slower acceleration and gentler stick response. Ideal for professional video work.

Certificate of Authorization - An FAA approval for specific drone operations that fall outside standard Part 107 rules, such as night flying before it was generally permitted.

A procedure to calibrate the drone's magnetometer by rotating it horizontally and vertically. Necessary in new locations or when compass errors occur. Prevents erratic flight behavior.

DJI's flat color profile that captures more dynamic range for professional color grading in post-production. Provides maximum flexibility for cinematographers.

Electronic Speed Controller - The circuit that controls the speed of each motor based on commands from the flight controller. Converts DC battery power to three-phase AC power for brushless motors.

Automatic emergency procedures activated when problems occur, such as lost signal or low battery. Common failsafe actions include RTH, hover in place, or auto-land.

The drone's brain - a circuit board running flight control software that processes sensor data and sends commands to motors. Responsible for stability, GPS hold, and automated flight modes.

First Person View - A method of flying where the pilot sees from the drone's perspective through a live video feed, typically using goggles or a screen. FPV drones are popular for racing and freestyle flying.

A software system that uses GPS to create virtual boundaries, preventing drones from entering restricted airspace like airports or national parks. Can be overridden with proper authorization.

A pivoting support system that keeps the camera stable during flight. Gimbals use motors and sensors to counteract drone movement, ensuring smooth, shake-free footage. Most consumer drones use 3-axis gimbals (pitch, roll, yaw).

The state when a drone has acquired signals from enough satellites (usually 8+) to accurately determine its position. Required for stable hover, RTH, and waypoint navigation.

A beginner-friendly flight mode where forward/backward controls are relative to the pilot's position, not the drone's orientation. Simplifies flying when the drone is facing the pilot.

Hybrid Log-Gamma - A video format that combines SDR compatibility with HDR capability. Allows viewing on both standard and HDR displays without conversion.

When a drone maintains a fixed position in the air without pilot input. GPS-equipped drones can hover precisely; non-GPS drones will drift with wind.

A time-lapse technique where the drone moves along a path while capturing images at intervals, then combines them into a sped-up video showing dramatic movement through space and time.

Inertial Measurement Unit - A sensor package containing accelerometers and gyroscopes that measures the drone's orientation, velocity, and gravitational forces. Critical for stable flight.

Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability - An automated system that provides near-real-time airspace authorization for drone flights in controlled airspace.

The delay between the drone capturing video and it appearing on your screen or goggles. Critical for FPV flying where high latency (>100ms) makes precise control difficult.

Light Detection and Ranging - A sensor technology that uses laser pulses to measure distances and create 3D maps of the environment. Enables precise obstacle avoidance and terrain following, even in low-light conditions.

Lithium Polymer Battery - The most common drone battery type, offering high energy density and discharge rates. Requires careful handling and storage due to fire risk.

Neutral Density Filter - A camera lens filter that reduces light entering the sensor, allowing slower shutter speeds for cinematic motion blur in bright conditions.

Sensor systems that detect and avoid obstacles during flight. Modern drones use combinations of cameras, ultrasonic sensors, infrared, and LiDAR for omnidirectional detection.

DJI's proprietary video transmission system that provides long-range, low-latency HD video between the drone and controller. Current version (OcuSync 4.0) offers up to 20km range.

The FAA regulation governing commercial drone operations in the United States. Requires passing a knowledge test to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate.

Power Distribution Board - A circuit board that distributes power from the battery to all drone components (motors, flight controller, VTX). Many modern flight controllers have integrated PDBs.

The science of making measurements from photographs to create 3D models or maps. Drones capture overlapping images that software stitches into detailed orthomosaic maps.

Tilting the drone forward or backward to move in that direction. The right stick up/down controls pitch on Mode 2 transmitters. Greater pitch angle means faster forward/backward movement.

Turbulent air created by spinning propellers. Can cause instability when a drone descends through its own prop wash or flies near obstacles that redirect airflow.

A protective frame or cage that surrounds the propellers to prevent damage during collisions. Essential for indoor flying and beginner pilots. Adds weight but significantly improves safety.

Motor configuration where propellers spin inward toward the body (Props In) or outward (Props Out). Each has different handling characteristics; most manufacturers use Props Out.

The component on the drone that receives control signals from the transmitter. Must be paired with a compatible transmitter using the same protocol (SBUS, CRSF, etc.).

A digital license plate system required by the FAA that broadcasts identification and location information during flight. As of 2024, all drones must have Remote ID capability.

Tilting the drone left or right to move sideways. The right stick left/right controls roll on Mode 2 transmitters. Essential for strafing shots and banked turns.

Return to Home - An automated safety feature that commands the drone to fly back to its takeoff point. Activates when battery is low, signal is lost, or manually triggered.

A flight mode that increases maximum speed and responsiveness by reducing stability assistance. Disables obstacle avoidance on most drones for maximum performance.

Real-time data transmitted from the drone to the controller showing battery voltage, GPS coordinates, altitude, speed, and other flight parameters. Essential for monitoring drone health.

Temporary Flight Restriction - A temporary airspace restriction issued by the FAA for events like presidential visits, sporting events, wildfires, or emergencies.

The control that adjusts motor power to change altitude. Left stick up/down on Mode 2 transmitters. Unlike airplane throttle, drone throttle must be actively managed for altitude.

The handheld radio controller used to fly the drone. Contains joysticks, switches, and often a screen. Communicates with the receiver on the drone via radio frequencies.

An ultra-slow flight mode for precise positioning and indoor flying. Maximum speeds are reduced to allow fine movements for detailed shots.

The Recreational UAS Safety Test - A free online test required for all recreational drone pilots in the USA. Covers basic safety guidelines, airspace rules, and operating requirements.

Visual Line of Sight - The FAA requirement that pilots must be able to see their drone with unaided eyes at all times during flight. Flying beyond VLOS requires special waivers.

Video Transmitter - The component that broadcasts live video from the drone's camera to FPV goggles. Power output affects range; higher power (600mW+) provides longer range but uses more battery.

A GPS coordinate programmed into the drone's flight path for autonomous missions. Waypoint navigation allows drones to fly complex routes automatically for mapping or inspection.

Rotation around the vertical axis - the movement that spins the drone left or right while maintaining position. Controlled by the left stick moving left/right on Mode 2 transmitters.