I’m always interested to hear how folks we know got into drones. So I guess I’ll start it off here…
Up until like April of 2017 I had never even heard of drones. I used to subscribe to a channel called Mr. Mobile and he was really excited about this tiny drone that DJI just released that could be controlled by hand gestures and a phone.
I didn’t know what a drone was so I just watched the video because I liked his tech reviews. That was all I needed. Immediately after that, I figured it was time for an additional hobby. So, like most people, I scoured Youtube for as much information, videos, and reviews as I could. Not too long after that, I stumbled across someone online that was selling their GPS drones off so that they could get into FPV.
I bought his Phantom 4 standard, with a TON of additional drone-related items, for a STEAL. I literally felt like I needed to remove a ski mask from my face after it was all said and done, hahahah.
Anyway, the day I got the drone, I flew it. I had like 50% battery on one battery and the others were dead (shipping safety I guess). I was able to fly for a few minutes around my neighborhood and loved every single minute of it.
I then went out on my first ever drone road trip after the batteries and everything was all charged up and flew through a pine forest, a super long and deep ravine, and around some lake docks. It was the most fun I had in a while. I even had the misses flying the drone that day.
7 drones later and I am still loving it. Sadly, for a while, I had stopped flying for fun. With the addition of our Mini 3 Pro, I have once again begun flying recreationally.
I started as a writer in 2017. After writing abut drones for some time I felt the urge to fly them practically. I got a Mini 2 to fly for fun. I later got a license and started flying them commercially.
It’s pretty obvious through your articles that you have tons of knowledge! I enjoy reading them…
A lot of folks I talk to have pretty much the same story…myself included: getting into the hobby for fun and branching out into paid work. I think it’s the natural progression of many hobbies that also have a commercial aspect to them.
Years ago I had started DJing, just so that we wouldn’t have to have an iPod on shuffle for a white-attire party we had. A month after hopping into the hobby I was getting offers from all over to DJ. That turned into quite the DJ’ing profession, taking me all around Florida and Georgia…
Just this last Christmas I bought one of those little $40 FPV drones for my 5 Y/O son. We had and still have a blast flying it around the house! Shortly after Christmas I realized how happy it made me flying a drone around. Then , it started… For the subsequent 3 months I became OBSESSED! I watched almost every drone related video on YouTube while simultaneously visiting drone manufacturers websites drooling and fantasizing over which drone I would get. Finally a week ago my 10th year wedding anniversary gift arrived, in the shape of a Mini 3 pro with a fly-more combo kit! I’ve since told my wife daily that she has absolutely no idea how elated I am everyday I wake up. There’s SOOOOO MUCH to learn but I can’t wait! I love this new hobby and the people associated with it. The rest is history.
I love these types of stories and your wife got you an awesome anniversary gift. Nice! Sadly, say bye to your savings as drones get better and better yearly, lol.
If you’re interested, Droneblog has a new YouTube series of “How-to” videos for new Mini 3/Mini 3 Pro owners: Droneblog - YouTube
Have fun with the Mini 3 Pro and looking forward to seeing you around.
I’m not quite INto the hobby yet. Doing a lot of research. I did pass my TRUST test and got a certificate. Thinking of getting a cheapo mini drone for fun and pictures/videos as I have a road trip scheduled this winter. I don’t expect to fly very much, probably mostly for when I travel, but we’ll see.
Welcome to the forums, @DronerInTraining. Congrats on the TRUST cert and we KNOW you’ll love flying. Once you take off, you’ll never look back…or stop flying.
How much are you looking to spend on a travel drone. If you’re thinking bare bones, but with a lot of decent tech, then the Mini 2 SE might be the drone for you, as it is 100+ cheaper than the Mini 2 and 3.
However, if you are looking to spend a bit more than 3 and change, the Mini 3 Pro is currently slashed down to 800 w/ DJI RC.
Let us know your thoughts, I’d be interested in seeing what you are planning for your trip!
Hello! Great website and I really enjoyed your story. My drone path is a little different than most! I worked as a Mining Engineer / Surveyor for a gold mine in Arizona and every week we had to perform a weekly, ground based LiDAR scan for reconciliation of the mined and dumped ore, waste, etc. It would take me all day to do it by myself. During my time at the mine, my boss instructed me to learn how to fly a drone, get my pilot license, etc. I flew as a pilot taking photos of construction and mining progression, counting trucks, documenting progression of our ore pad and much more.
I successfully completed my FAA Pat 107 Remote Pilot License Requirements in August of 2022. I began flying on flight simulators, and most recently I’ve been obsessed with Drone Racing League Simulator on Xbox where I fly hours each day and get better and better.
I am now looking to start my own business in the Drone Services Industry building on my drone pilot skills and my background / education in Mining and Heavy Construction. The name of my business is “United Aerial Service LLC”.
Awesome. Sounds like you are in an interesting field. Isn’t it amazing how much time and work integrating drones into the workforce saves? Thanks for sharing your story with us…
Well a few weeks in and I’ve practiced in the back yard a few times taking off and landing – trying not to crash (meh, a few minor ones) – and I’ve since looked at calibrating the drone and will keep practicing before I take it out to an open field. Kinda fun, but more difficult than I thought initially – as they say, practice makes perfect – just thought I’d update you. Have a great weekend everyone.