The Ultimate Drone Glossary: Part 1

A

Accelerometer: An instrument within the drone’s central processing unit that measures acceleration. This is primarily used for flight stabilization purposes.

AGL (Above Ground Level): In aviation, AGL refers to the height or altitude of the drone as compared to the ground surface. If a drone is flying 250 feet above a 100-foot building, the AGL is 150 feet.

Altitude Hold Function: In this flight mode, the drone maintains a consistent altitude through its onboard barometric pressure sensor. However, the pilot can still control the roll, pitch, and yaw in this setting.

AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics): A nonprofit, self-supporting organization that promotes model aviation, including drones, and drone use as a recreational activity.

A Mode: Abbreviation for Atti or Attitude Mode, wherein the drone will maintain a consistent altitude.

ARTF or ARF (Almost Ready to Fly): The standard for drone operations, drones that are pre-built, or require minimal assembly before flying.

ATC/ATM (Air Traffic Control or Management): A service in which air traffic controllers on the ground direct traffic within controlled airspace, and advise those in non-controlled airspace. These individuals are trained and administered by the FAA.

AUW (All Up Weight): The maximum weight of the drone, including batteries and other add-ons.

Autonomous Aircraft: The International Civil Aviation Organization classifies autonomous aircraft as, “unmanned aircraft that does not allow pilot intervention in the management of the flight.”

Autonomous Flight: In the drone world, this is flight guided by GPS, without intervention from the pilot.

Autopilot: Drone feature that allows the flight to continue without manual control by the pilot.

Axis: On a DJI drone, this is what the gimbal rotates around.

B

Balanced Battery Charger: Smart technology used to charge and balance Lipo batteries internally.

Barometric Pressure Sensor: Device used to measure the pressure of the atmosphere. In aircraft, this, combined with barometric readings, measures the drone’s altitude.

Bind: The process of enabling the controller to communicate with the selected drone.

BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight): Requiring a specific permit from the FAA, this is the ability to fly a drone beyond the pilot’s line of sight.

C

CG or CoG (Center of Gravity): The drone’s center of balance.

CoAs (Certificate of Authorizations): An authorization granted by the FAA that allows a public operator to perform a selected drone flight or activity. This process can take up to 60 days and undergo an operational review.

Collision/Obstacle Avoidance: A feature built-in to some drones that allow the aircraft to sense and avoid obstacles, minimizing collisions.

Commercial Drones: A drone that is used for business or profit.

Controlled Airspace: A type of airspace in which air traffic control services are offered depending on the defined dimensions and classification.

D

Daisy Chain: Visual observers assisting the pilot when the drone goes beyond visual line of sight.

DJI: The largest drone manufacturer in the world, located in Shenzhen, China. Compatible with DroneDeploy.

DJI Drone Flight Modes: Flight modes specific to DJI drones that enable pilots to perform their duties safely and intelligently.

Drone: Another term for “unmanned aerial vehicles” (UAVs) or “remotely piloted aircraft” (RPA), covering a wide range of functions.

E

Electromagnetic Interference: A disturbance in radio frequency by an external source that disrupts the operation of electronic devices.

ESC (Electronic Speed Control): Regulates the speed and direction of the drone’s motors.

Elevator: Another term for “pitch” - moving the drone up or down.

F

FAA (Federal Aviation Administration): Regulatory agency under the US Department of Transportation that enforces air safety, installs control facilities, and maintains proper air navigation.

FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum): To avoid interference and avoid eavesdropping, this method of transmitting radio signals switches carriers amongst numerous frequency channels.

Firmware: Located in a drone’s flight controller, this is permanent software updated solely by manufacturers.

Fixed-wing drones: Similar to airplanes but without a human pilot on board, these are drones that have a non-detachable wing that make the aircraft capable of flight. They are typically larger and more powerful than commercial drones.

Flight Controller: Device used to control how the drone moves, by receiving and processing information from the drone’s sensors.

Flight Envelope: The limits to ranges of motion to ensure that the aircraft remains stable.

Fly Away: Accidental flight outside of the set boundaries of operation.

Fly-Away Protection System: When the communication between pilot and drone is lost, this system will return the drone to the pre-selected area.

FOV (Field of View): The “drone’s-eye” view.

FPV (First Person View): Piloting a drone in real-time through the drone’s camera. Pilots often wear goggles with footage streamed inside.

Frequency: To maintain communication with the pilot and drone through FPV, both pieces of equipment will need to be on the same radio frequency.