In the aeronautical sector there are different types of drones, with their different components and accessories. This world is constantly evolving with changes occurring almost on a daily basis. This world is constantly evolving with changes that seem to have no ceiling, so I can’t help but think that this has only just begun.
Every day we see drones with new features that make life easier for professionals in the aeronautical and imaging world.
I always say that the better the shot you get, whether it’s photography or video footage, in situ, the easier it will be and the less headaches you will have during the final editing. This is why it is important to have a team of guarantees and to know the scene in which we find ourselves in order to get the most out of it.
If we do a simple internet search on the number of different types of drones on the market we can get a small idea of how immense this world is today.
Moreover, in the space of a couple of years, all of this has exploded in the form of the appearance of new models, as many brands that were not dedicated to this sector have seen the opportunity and have taken up the challenge.
What is a drone
Before explaining the types of drones and getting into the subject, it would be good to define what a drone is.
The word drone refers to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
Until very recently, exactly before the entry into force of the latest decree on 31 December 2020, they were referred to as remotely-piloted aircraft system (RPAS), after this date and with the new decree they have been renamed unmanned aerial system (UAS).
Many changes of initials to define the same thing, i.e. an unmanned aircraft that is capable of maintaining a controlled and sustained level of flight on its own and is powered by an internal combustion, electric or jet engine.
Types of drones
Now it is. Before talking about the types of drones I wanted to start with the basics first, and that meant I had to define what a drone is. Once defined, we will make a classification of drones depending on:
- Of the structure or type of wing rotation.
- Of its use.
- Depending on their weight
- In accordance with current regulations.
Drones by structure or type of wing rotation
These types of drones are classified according to the structure and operation of the wings with which they achieve the propulsion with which they take flight. These drones can be of two types:
Fixed-wing drones
Fixed-wing drones are those that take advantage of the aerodynamics of their design and morphology to soar. Its appearance and structure is the same as that of an aeroplane, with its wings being the main reason for its lift in the air.
Rotary wing drones
This is where we will place UAS or, from the point of view of the movement of their propellers, also called multirotors. They are the best-selling drones on the market for their versatility and ease of use (if you dedicate many hours of flight time to them, that is).
These drones achieve lift and lift in the air through the movement of their propellers, which are driven by motors on each of their arms.
They are the most stable drones as their integrated geolocation system allows them to stay at the X, Y, Z point in space without having to continuously correct their position with the remote control.
I will tell you more about the use of these drones below, in the civilian use of drones.
Types of drones by number of propellers
Tricopters
As the name suggests, this multirotor has 3 propellers. The two front motors rotate in opposite directions and the rear motor acts as a servo motor, giving stability to the flight.
Quadcopters
In all likelihood, this is the best-selling and most common drone on the market. The 4 motors are positioned in a square rectangle (positionally speaking), giving the drone great stability during flight.
I have owned several drones while growing up in this profession and honestly the DJI Mavic 2s “all-rounder” drone, in my opinion, is the best drone to date in terms of quality-performance-price ratio. This is the drone with which I officially fly for Javier Gómiz.
Hexacopters
Hexacopter drones, as the name suggests, have 6 motors and 6 propellers. Due to the high stability of these drones and the possibility to install heavier cameras with a high resolution, these types of drones are becoming the choice of large companies to make super film productions and important recordings.
Another advantage, and perhaps the most important, is that if one engine should fail, it could land without any problems with the help of the remaining engines.
Here is an example of a very cheap hexacopter drone without camera that you can assemble by yourself with a little bit of skill.
Octocopters
The octocopters are another type of drone, the last of the classification, with 8 arms and 8 motors, it is the most stable multirotor of all the ones I have told you about. The only drawback could be the difficulty in flying it in small spaces, as the larger components are heavier and it becomes more difficult to control.
I have found a very cheap octocopter drone without camera that you can assemble yourself with a bit of skill.
Coaxial
The defining characteristic of this type of drone is that it has at least 2 motors on each arm, making it a more powerful type of drone. As a result, coaxial drones can transport objects or climb with less difficulty and more speed. They are widely used in the professional field to take high quality photographs.
Drones ccording to use
There are two types of drones according to their use and depending on the field in which they are used: civilian or military.
Military use of drones
The first uses of drones were military in origin, at the time they were called unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). The first use of a UAV for military purposes was in 1849, which had nothing to do with today’s drones, but was a carrier balloon.
In World War II, drones also played a role, but it was not until the end of the 20th century that they did not operate by radio control with full autonomy equipment. It was not until the Gulf War or the Bosnian War that they showed their true potential, mainly because they were cheaper fighting machines and did not endanger the lives of the pilots.
These types of military drones are not only used in warfare and combat, but also have other, more interesting and more “civic” uses.
The military can make use of these drones in the following tasks search for missing persons, as they can access places that are difficult to reach and by taking advantage of this virtue they can be of great help in general, in any type of disaster, assessing damage to surfaces or structures that could endanger persons.
They are also used by law enforcement agencies for traffic control, demonstrations, etc.
Civilian use of drones
It is these types of drones that we are talking about, the ones we are interested in.
The drone has become a device that has made our daily lives much easier, as its implementation in many fields has made it possible to offer an immense range of services with the drone.
Drone photography and video
For many image professionals, photographers and videographers, used to the same old perspective and the same old photos, drone has changed our lives.
Being able to change the hitherto unique view and perspective means that the range of possible photographs has increased by 3 different perspectives of more than 180° each. Plus the infinite planes we can achieve with the 120 metres height we can reach in the open category.
From there, the limit is your creativity.
Among the most common drone services are:
- Drone photography
- Video drone
- Panoramic photography
- Spot and drone advertising filming
- Event recording with drone
- Drone for real estate
Airport services
Services Although the use of drones is strictly prohibited in airport areas (not in CTR areas, as long as we have a permit to fly), the airport authorities have implemented the use of special types of drones to control birds on the runway. At Southampton Airport, their presence was reduced by 74%, thereby reducing the likelihood of aircraft accidents.
Civil works services
For these purposes, certain types of drones are used to carry out three-dimensional modelling or surveying work. Using photogrammetry as a technique (which I want to do a post on and talk about in more depth), the shape, dimensions and position in space of any object can be accurately studied and defined. For this purpose, some types of drones with LIDAR sensors are often used. strong (Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) or high-resolution cameras.
They are often used for road construction, building construction, monitoring the progress of a construction site, calculating volumes of earth to be moved and other uses. They are also used by real estate agents who want to detail the measurements of a property or land for sale.
Also the control of the transport of fragile or dangerous materials where a helicopter had to be hired, thus reducing economic costs and avoiding endangering human lives.
Visual inspection with the drone of structures such as wind turbines, which would be dangerous for people to do in situ, in addition to the cost savings in logistics.
The great role of drones in construction in general is very clear.
Drones and the environment
Drones can carry different types of cameras, including thermal imaging cameras. Thanks to this camera we can monitor, for example, the current state of a landfill, thus controlling its hot spots or humidity. We can also control and monitor environmentally protected areas or control fires in summer.
In agronomy, drones are used to maintain and control crop fields, minimising manpower and saving money, as they can even carry out spraying tasks.
Drones for racing and stunt use
These types of drones can track targets as they move at (some) considerable speed, such as FPV drones (first person view).
Used for their small size and high speed, they can perform acrobatic stunts and sudden changes in trajectory and speed, making them the perfect choice for recording video footage of racing cars, motorbikes, bicycles or any vehicle in general.
If you’re not very familiar with the world of FPV drones, with its many accessories and parts; you’re looking for a FPV drone assembled and ready to fly, DJI has come out with two pearls that are a real treat, the DJI FPV which comes with a “joystick controller” or the jewel in DJI’s FPV crown, the DJI Avata.
This drone is the most similar to the FPV racing drone as it has 4 protected propellers, is flatter and its dimensions are much smaller than the DJI FPV.
Drone types according to weight
Another classification of drone types can be according to their weight or MTOW (maximum take-off mass). This classification is closely linked to the classification of drone types according to their regulations, as this classification encompasses this characteristic and others. Classifying according to weight:
- C0: drones <250 grams.
- C1: corresponds to drones weighing between 250 grams and 900 grams.
- C2: for drones up to 4 kg.
- C3, C4, C5 and C6: corresponding to drones between 4 kg and less than 25 kg.
Types of drones according to their regulations
This classification is made on the basis of the entry into force of the current regulation imposed by EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) the 1st January 2021, by which this body classifies drones according to their maximum take-off mass, also called MTOW, plus other characteristics.
In Regulations (EU) 2019/947 and (EU) 2019/945, classes ranging from C0 to C6 are named, the latter two being incorporated in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1058, to be used in European standard scenarios.
Class C0
Class 0 drones are the most basic and least restricted drones, basically because of their weight, and must meet the following requirements:
- Your MTOW cannot be <250gr.
- Flight speed must not be>19m/s.
- They have a maximum height limitation from the point of take-off of 120m.
- It should be designed to be non-harmful to persons and easy to handle.
- The manufacturer’s instructions must appear inside the packaging.
- They are powered by electricity.
In this category we have drones such as the Mini 2 and Mini 3, which reach a maximum speed of 13m/s and can be limited to a maximum height of 120m. It must be said that to date these types of drones still do not carry the CE class marking, even though they meet all other requirements.
Class C1
The only drone with class marking (class 1) is the big Mavic 3, which together with the Mavic 3 CINE and the recently released Mavic 3 Classic, have opened the class marking “can”. Class 1 drones must meet the following requirements:
- Your MTOW must be <900gr.
- Its impact energy must be <80J.
- The flight speed may not exceed 19m/s.
- Height limitation of 120m.
- It must be electrically powered.
Differences from Class 0
- Unique serial marking for the drone.
- It must have an RTH (return to home) system, which is a system whereby the drone returns only to the point from which it started or where it was last indicated as the place of return.
- Mandatory to have direct remote identification and network remote identification system.
- It must have a geo-awareness system.
- Low battery warning system.
Class C2
Aeronautical operations conducted in subcategory A2 shall be conducted with a minimum distance of 30m from persons not involved in the operation and may be conducted with Class 2 drones which comply with the following requirements:
- Maximum flight altitude limited to 120m.
- It must be electrically powered.
- Have a unique serial number.
- It must have a direct remote identification system and a network remote identification system.
- Obliged to have geo-awareness system.
- Low battery warning system for the UAS and control station.
Differences from class 1:
- Su MTOW debe ser >4kg.
- They must be equipped with a low speed system of 3m/s maximum except if it is a fixed wing UAS.
- They must have night lighting.
- It must be equipped with a data link protected against unauthorised access by persons not connected to the equipment.
Class C3
Class 3 drones shall be flown away from urban environments and people and shall be those drones that meet the following requirements:
- It must have a geo-awareness system.
- Flight height limitation of 120m.
- Obligation to be equipped with a data link protected against unauthorised access by persons not connected to the equipment.
- Have a unique serial number.
- It must be electrically powered.
- These types of drones are required to have a direct remote identification system and a network remote identification system.
- It has to be equipped with night lights for visual localisation at night.
- Have a low battery warning system for the UAS and control station.
- Equipped with a low speed system of maximum 3m/s except if it is a fixed-wing UAS.
- Night light equipment for control during night flight.
Differences from the previous class 2
- Its MTOW must not exceed 25kg and a characteristic<3m.
C4 Class
These types of drones are similar to class 3 drones and differ from them in the following ways:
- Its weight or MTOW must be<25kg + payload.
- May not have automatic flight mode, except for a flight stabilisation system and without any direct effect on the trajectory, for assistance in case of loss of connection between the aircraft and the transmitter.
- Intended for model aircraft
Class C5
Class 5 drones are intended for VLOS flights in specific category for standard STS 01 scenarios (controlled land area in urban environment), and must provide for the following:
- Its MTOW must be<25kg.
- They cannot be fixed-wing drones unless they are captive aircraft.
- Mandatory provision of flight altitude information.
- They have to be equipped with a low speed system with strong limit, <5m/s.
- It must be equipped with a system to recover the aircraft in case of disconnection with the transceiver, also called RTH (return to home), whereby the drone returns only to the point of departure or the last place indicated as the place of return.
- It must be equipped with a data link protected against unauthorised access by persons not connected to the equipment.
- Power supply and operation of the aircraft through electricity.
- Remote identification system (e-ID).
- It must have a unique serial number.
- It must have a geo-awareness system.
- It must have a control station and a low battery warning system.
- Must be required to carry flashing lights for night flights.
- It must have a system of flight limitation and access to certain areas of airspace and a corresponding system for notifying the pilot of this impediment.
Differences from the previous class 4
- It may be a Class 3 UAS which after installation of a certain kit with accessories can be upgraded to a Class 5 UAS.
Class C6
Class 6 drones intended for operations in BVLOS Specific Category or STS 02 standard scenario must meet the following requirements:
- Its MTOW must be <25kg.
- Drone types with a low speed mode limiting the speed to 5m/s maximum.
- It must have a flight altitude measurement system to avoid exceeding flight limits.
- It must have an RTH (return to home) system, whereby the drone recovers the exact location of the pilot.
- Electric power supply system.
- Obligation to have a unique serial number.
- It has to have a direct distance identification system (e-ID).
- It must have a geo-awareness system on the drone.
- A low battery warning system must be installed.
- If it has a system of flight limitation in specific areas, it must have a system for notifying the pilot of such limitation.
- Mandatory control light system for night flights.
Differences from the previous class 5
- The maximum horizontal speed in relation to the ground that can be reached is 50m/s.
Did you know all the different types of drones that exist? Personally, when I started in this world, I had no idea how huge it is. Let me know if you have any questions, I’ll read you in the comments.
