The Droner’s Manual: A Guide to the Responsible Operation of Small Uncrewed Aircraft

The incredible advancements in the field of uncrewed aircraft over the last decade have made it possible for almost anyone to build and operate their own drone, creating exciting business opportunities in numerous fields ranging from video production to agriculture. However, many beginners and even more experienced hobbyists find these ventures daunting because reliable information for construction and programming of uncrewed aircraft is often scattered across various sources, and the industry is still establishing standards for safe and efficient operation of UAVs.

The Droner’s Manual compiles the most important and relevant knowledge into a guide for both beginner and experienced operators. With his expertise as a UAV operator for government, industry, and hobby uses, author Kevin Jenkins offers step-by-step guidance to build, program, test, and fly multicopter, fixed-wing, and hybrid airframe aircraft for a variety of purposes. This comprehensive manual covers uncrewed system components, aircraft set up, flight controller fundamentals and failsafe features, the flight-testing process, and flight operations.

The second edition incorporates regulation exceptions for recreational flying and introduces The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST), as well as offering new and updated information on smart batteries, solving GPS complications, drone photography, remote identification requirements, and the concepts of PID tuning. More than 70 illustrations provide detailed schematics and diagrams for the construction of complex systems such as first-person view (FPV) and imaging payloads.

You will fly with confidence applying this book’s direction on mission planning, checklists, and safe flight operations. Whether you use it to build your first unmanned aircraft or as a handy reference in the field,
The Droner’s Manual is essential for drone builders, pilots, and operators.

Kevin Jenkins grew up outside of Portland, Oregon, near the airport where he first learned to fly. In 2009, he earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. Kevin spent several years as a test engineer and UAV (uncrewed air vehicle) operator, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. After returning to the United States, he was soon drawn back into the field of uncrewed aircraft. What began as a hobby in his garage developed into a full-time career, working with several companies developing small UAVs for civilian applications. Kevin is deeply passionate about the science of uncrewed flight and its potential to shape the world we live in.