Should I Get My Kid a Quad? 6 thoughts of a parent

Advances in technology in recent years have enabled many children to grasp and gain exposure to realms of art and entertainment that
their parents can only dream about.

Many children these days have grown up with video games. Which means they have developed a dexterity that their parents cannot possibly dream of matching.

Do you want proof? Try matching the speed of your thumbs on the PlayStation remote controls with your kids’.

Enter unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs. The U.S. Federal Aviation Authority defines a UAV as an aircraft without a human pilot that is controlled either by remote control or flies autonomously. If you’re tired of watching your kid spend days confined inside on his computer keyboard, playing video games day in day out, but would love to introduce him to an exciting new hobby, then consider buying him a quadcopter.

From the look of things the drone industry is cashing in on children’s enthusiasm and has developed a host of commercial applications offering platforms that range from professional racing to aerial photography. Smart parents know introducing their kids to the world of drones is pretty straightforward especially if they’ve handled aircraft themselves. If you’re a parent bent on launching an aviation career for your young ones, here are six benefits of getting your kid accustomed to drones you need to know:

1. A drone is not a toy

Learning to distinguish between toys and drones is crucial since many beginners’ drones come with toy-like features. And educating yourself and your kid about UAVs and especially if you can lay your hands on models like 3D Robotics, IRIS+ and DJI’s will be a huge plus. Get your child to master piloting skills as well. Learning about terms such as pitch, accelerometer, telemetry, roll, and yaw will boost his skills arsenal. An online guide is available on www.knowbeforeyoufly.org

2. What the law says

Will buying your kid a drone and violate your neighbor’s peace and privacy? While most legislation in the U.S 50 states confines themselves to government use, police searches and hunting, it’s always a good idea to monitor UAV news channels like DRONLIFE for the latest news.

Before buying your child a drone, it pays to make him familiar about when to fly the drone, where to fly it and how he or she should do it. The state of California only recently introduced stringent measures on particular types of drone photography.

3. Your kid will need to practice and practice

If you’re looking to invest in a drone for your son, it pays to appreciate the time it takes to master the trade. And drones take time to master. So as a parent, you will need a heavy dose of patience. Apart from encountering hostile neighbors, unfriendly local regulations, you should brace yourself for a lot of crashes and missteps. As a rule of thumb, it helps to practice with the drone indoors before heading out to the open spaces. For a beginner, you can buy your child a UAV model like the AR Parrot 2.0.

4. Drones instill responsibility

Drones are known to be not only fun and exciting, but also teach kids about responsibility. There are strict guidelines that warn against disregard for others, causing damage to people or property. So coaching kids about what is involved in responsible flying will not only cultivate a safe flying habit, but also a sense of awareness of others. And learning about drone laws and guidelines at an early age will make him more responsible at obeying laws when he becomes an adult. This includes shooting videos and taking photos.

5. Drones and the future

Drones are ideal for preparing kids about future career choices.

Getting your child involved with a drone hobby, especially a quadcopter flying, will undoubtedly shape the rest of his life and the career path he may choose. If you’re wondering the types of job markets that could attract drone experience, here are several:

a. Humanitarian efforts like disaster relief and exploration. Quadcopters can venture into places humans cannot which could be “search and rescue” missions, as well as delivering assistance to persons in need.

b. Film making and photography. In recent years drone technology has been heavily involved in filmmaking, journalism, and photography.

c. While on desperate missions, like floods and war situations, drones are used to capture footage from all angles.

d. The agriculture industry is also experiencing a boost from drone technology.

The US Department of Agriculture, through the EPA, has used drones to monitor and manage livestock farms. Farmers are also heavily relying on drones to maintain and control their crops. The new science will demand that in future drones be used to spray for insects and diseases, protect crop health by checking signs of drought and analyze their farm’s soil patterns.

6. Drones get kids out of the house and bonding

Doctors warn about sitting in one place for long as a perfect recipe to develop lifestyle diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. If you can get your kid a quadcopter, it will make him jump on his feet fast and move outside, no matter the weather. It will also get him to give the PlayStation a wide berth as he bonds with his friends showing off his new skills. Families rarely spend enough time together anymore. Chatting at dinner time has been replaced with watching TV and checking Smartphones. A new and exciting hobby like drone flying can create a strong bond with the whole family.