How Does a RC Transmitter Work for Drone?

You already have your drone, and now you have to face the station that controls it. In Prohobbys Radiocontrol, we explain the essential operation of a drone transmitter so you can fly the flight without problems.

First of all, warn you that not all drones are the same, and neither are their stations. For this reason, we recommend that you read the instruction manual of your model carefully and follow the advice you will find there.

However, if you do not clarify with the technical language or still do not have the multi-copter and want to know how the drone station works, below, we will give you the basic guidelines.

The controls of a drone transmitter

Whether it’s a simple minion or a more complex and sophisticated one, most have two control commands that usually perform the following functions:

• The left control (on the vertical axis): this is the accelerator of the drone. Press forward so that the thrusters pick up speed and take off or press backward to stop them and let the drone go down.

• The left control (on the horizontal axis): this is the control of the yaw or lateral tilt, which allows you to control in which direction the face of the drone points (think of the drone as if it were a helicopter or nose plane). To the right, you will move it in a clockwise direction (looking at it from above) and to the left, the other way around. In reality, what this control does is give more power to the propellers that turn in one direction and brake those that turn to the other side (as you know, in a multi-copter, not all the propellers turn in the same order).

• The right command: controls the horizontal movement; it helps you to turn the direction of flight of the drone to the right or the left. If you press forward, you will tilt the back of the drone upwards. But pay attention, keep in mind the orientation of the drone, because this command works about the direction that the drone points, not to the order in which you are watching it. That’s why, if you’re a rookie, you have to fly the face drone.

When speaking of a three-channel station, it is because it allows controlling three parameters, such as power or direction. If it has four channels, it will enable controlling up to four parameters. To begin with, it is easier to operate a station with fewer channels.

Keep in mind that some drone stations are programmable, that is, they allow more options than the basic ones, such as mixing channels or “trim” (adjusting) the control commands.

Flight modes

Some drone stations allow different flight modes. These are the most common:

• Standard: the drone is stabilized when the controls are released. The maximum inclination is usually limited.

• Advanced: it is the same as the standard model, but it increases the maximum inclination, which allows you to fly faster. It is also known as expert mode, so it is not recommended for beginners unless they want to see the device crashing at maximum speed against different obstacles.

• Manual: eliminates stabilization and does not limit the inclination. It allows us to put the drone entirely inside out and do stunts. Only suitable for those who feel very safe at the controls of the station.

• 3D model: without stabilization and with the accelerator set to allow all kinds of pirouettes and acrobatics with ease. If you are a rookie, with this mode, you will only get your drone stamped on the ground at a faster speed.

• GPS mode: only for drones equipped with GPS. This mode stabilizes the drone when the controls are released, but also the GPS is used to keep it correctly in position. It is not necessary to know how to fly to use this mode.

• Smart modes: only for drones equipped with GPS or other guidance systems. The best known is the return home mode, with which the drone automatically returns to the place where it took off. With these modes, the drone is controlled about geo-positioning parameters.

While you are a beginner, we recommend that you use the standard mode or the GPS mode, if your drone has it.

The role of the lights of the drone

The lights of a drone are not just to make beautiful. About the subject we are dealing with, in most models, they have an essential function, that of indicating the front and back of the drone. The lights can also tell you if the GPS is synchronized, for example.

As we said above, if you do not have much practice, it is advisable to fly the drone facing its front, so you do not lie with the controls of the station.

In Prohobbys Radiocontrol, we recommend that you watch the station and the instruction manual with care before you start flying the drone. And if you still do not have yours, you can stop by our store and see the drones that we have at your disposal. Soon, we will give you some tips for when you go to the flight track or want to fly a multi-copter in your living room.