Looking for tools to help pilot your new drone or additional information to help you control it better? Luckily for you, there are dozens of apps for new and old drone pilots to help them pilot and manage their air time.
However, to help navigate through the numerous drone pilot apps on your desired marketplace, let’s take a look at five top apps that will make you the drone master.
1. Hover
Available on: iOS
Price: Free
Hover is one of the best apps on the iOS marketplace due to how informative it is for beginner drone flyers.
Hover comes with a map of International No-Fly zones as well so you know where you can legally fly your drone. Plus, the app is detail-orientated towards weather conditions while you fly, so it pulls the most up-to-date information from local National Parks and the Military. However, you can, of course, get updated weather conditions from local meteorologist stations.
The app also offers live news feed from the drone industry and other drone enthusiast flight logs. This way, drone owners can compete with one-another.
2. Autopilot
Available on: Android and iOS
Price: $29.99
Autopilot is an easy to use app that is especially designed for ease of use and simplicity of setting up. There’s also a built-in flight trainer to help you learn the features that are included and build an array of different flight plans for your drone. Since you have already figured out how to choose the right drone for your needs, the app can help you learn how to fly it better.
The app also features Apple Watch connectivity which is great for Apple fans. However, the app can provide a variety of technical programs that go from built-in piloting features to drone specifications.
In this section, we will be spotlighting Autoflight CEO Jim McAndrew, to offer even more reasons to download this app today.
He remarks, “Autopilot is all about capturing smooth, perfectly framed, and visually stunning imagery. With autonomous and semi-autonomous flight modes, Autopilot enables you to execute flight and camera control sequences that were previously too difficult or impossible to perform manually.
Our app is designed around a Custom Flight Controller that was purpose-built with smooth and safe autonomous flight control as its primary function. By using a Custom Flight Controller, Autopilot is able to offer unique functionality that cannot be found in other apps.”
3. UAV Forecast
Available on: iOS and Android
Price: Free
UAV Forecast is a streamlined app to help you check your drone’s flight weather and make sure you have clear skies for flying. The app gives you a full breakdown of cloud cover, rain, and local temperature to make sure you are piloting your drone in weather that will not risk the safety of the drone or anyone. Plus, it also includes hourly forecasts for either day or week views to help you plan ahead the next time you’re going to fly your drone.
Additionally, the app has an advanced feature that monitors your drone’s KP Index to help you interact with its radio control signal, GPS, and interior electronics. However, this feature is only necessary for those flying at higher altitudes due to geomagnetic interferences.
4. DJI+Discover
Available on: iOS and Android
Price: Free
Whether you are a newbie when it comes to drones or if you simply want to meet more people like you, you will definitely want to download DJI+Discover. This app gives pilots the possibility to connect with each other. The app also provides a space where people can search for or advertise drone services. With the use of this free app, like-minded drone enthusiasts can chat, share tips, and meet-up in person. This makes flying drones a lot less lonely.
When you open this app, you will see a map of your area with pins that signify other app users. Then you can search for social, professional, or all drone pilots, whichever you are looking for. You can also find good flying spots around and view other flyers’ photos. DJI+Discover will help you build your personal and professional network of drone pilots.
5. Flightradar24
Available On: iOS and Android
Price: Free “lite” version or $3.99
A truly fantastic app for flight tracking. Flightradar24 functions globally and provides real-time updates and information on tons of aircraft that are in almost any location. Most people use this app to check if there are any nearby helicopters or airplanes flying nearby. Aircraft are supposed to stay above the minimum 1,000 foot/500 foot safe altitude limit unless they are taking off or landing. Typically they should not be anywhere near your drone as drone pilots are only meant to fly below 400 feet.
However, these rules are not always respected, which makes Flightradar24 a very useful tool to have. It can let you know if there’s any aircraft in the area flying at low altitudes. This way, you can wait until it is safe to take off or simply fly at a lower altitude until the right moment. No drone pilot should fly before first checking the sky on Flightradar24.
Flying a drone can be tough, especially if you’re a beginner and are flying a drone that cost you more than just a pretty penny. Hopefully, this article could offer you better solutions to finding the best drone piloting app on the iOS and Android marketplace to help fly your drone more effectively. But remember, practice makes perfect! Now get out there and get flying!