Christmas is just around the corner and you have no idea what to buy the tech enthusiast on your list? A drone would make a great gift for anyone into flying, photography, film making or just high-speed fun in general. Right now, you may be wondering to yourself, ‘what do I need to know before buying a drone as a Christmas gift?’
Drone for Christmas – what to consider before buying? There are five points to consider when purchasing a drone for Christmas. These include how old the recipient is, what country the recipient lives in, who is responsible for registering the drone, how much training is required and where the drone can be flown. Understanding these factors will help you purchase the perfect drone as a gift.
Now that you know the points to consider before buying a drone for Christmas, let’s explore each in more detail below. We’ll look at specific drone brands that are suitable for different age groups as well as how to (and who can) register a drone, the basic laws surrounding flight and where to go for practice and training.
So, if you’re ready to learn more about giving drones as gifts (and all that is involved), then please continue reading…
5 Points to Consider When Buying a Drone as a Christmas Gift
There are 5 main things to keep in mind if you would like to buy a drone as a holiday gift. These include the following:
1) The Age of the Recipient
You must take into account the age of the person receiving the drone for multiple reasons including safety, practicality and suitability. Let’s take a closer look at different age ranges and what you should know below:
Under 6 Years Old
Even young enjoy playing with the latest tech gadgets. The best drones for those under 6 years of age are the mini flying ball UFO helicopter drones such as the NJSTAR Global Mini Drone UFO Hand Operated on Amazon*(Flying Ball Toy for Kids). These drones have rotating and shining LED lights that come in different colors such as blue or red, perfect for a boy or a girl!
These drones are ideal for younger kids as they are:
- easy to control
- made of high-quality, non-toxic materials that are both flexible and collision-resistant
- safe for indoor use
- great for beginners
- so much fun to use
Go online and check them out at Amazon* today! They are the ultimate gift of entertainment. You (and the giftee) will not be disappointed!
6 – 13 Years Old
For kids 6 to 13 year old, miniature drones with intuitive control are best. Not only will they improve a child’s motor and cognitive skill development, but they will also provide him/her with plenty of indoor and outdoor fun!
The Holy Stone HS170 Predator Mini RC Helicopter Drone on Amazon* is a good one to consider for kids 6 to 9 years old. With over 5,000 satisfied customers, it is a big hit on Amazon! It has overall rating of 4.2/5 and is sturdy, easy to control and great for beginners.
For older kids (10 to 13 years old), check out the Holy Stone F181W WiFi FPV Drone*. It has a great on-board camera with a console-style controller. It is rated 4.4/5 overall and is a great entry-level model. It is easy, safe and fun to maneuver.
Both can be readily purchased online at Amazon* and best of all, can be delivered right to your front door in as little as two days. This is ideal for those last-minute Christmas shoppers – you know who you are!
Older Than 13 Years
Teenagers can handle a drone with more power. The DJI Spark Drohne* is excellent and highly-recommended. It is one of the best drones on the market when it comes to price/performance ratio. It has excellent build quality! This drone also has access to FVP (first person view) which makes it that much cooler!
Go online today and check it out at Amazon*. Whomever receives this fun gadget as a Christmas gift will be ecstatic, to say the least!
2) The Country the Recipient Lives In
When considering a drone as a gift, you need to be aware of any restrictions associated with it, depending on where the recipient lives. For example, some countries do not allow drone flying at night. Residents of the United States can fly drones at night but they must follow the basic safety rules. Check out the following link for more information click here.
There are some nations that have very strict drone regulations including Algeria, Barbados, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Madagascar, Morocco, Nicaragua and Saudi Arabia (just to name a few). If you are thinking about buying a drone for someone living in one of these countries, you need to do your research first!
3) Local Registration and Piloting Laws
In order to legally register a drone, you must be 13 years of age of older. If the owner is 12 years old and younger, he/she must have a parent or guardian register the model aircraft (or someone such as a sibling, cousin or friend that is 13 years of age or older).
As well, you must be a legal citizen or permanent resident of the country (United States, for example). To register online, you must have an email address, debit or credit card and physical or mailing address. It is important to consider this before purchasing a drone as a gift. You need to be sure that someone will assume responsibility for registering the drone as it is a legal requirement in most countries.
4) Necessary Training and Preparation
Proper training and awareness of basic laws and regulations governing drone use is important to consider before buying one as a gift. Knowing as much as possible about how to fly an unmanned aircraft is vital not only to one’s safety but also to one’s enjoyment of the activity.
Computer simulators and training centres are great places to start. Drone pilot training programs are necessary for the following reasons:
- they are a requirement for future endeavors such as becoming a professional drone pilot
- they will help you learn where you can fly the drone and where you can’t
- they will provide you with skills to develop confidence and peace of mind when flying
- they will teach you about the airspace you are flying in
- they will instruct you on how to keep yourself and others safe
It is important to note here that you do not need to obtain a remote pilot licence if you are flying the drone as a hobby for recreational use only. You can go online and research further details regarding training programs in your area or software options currently available on the market.
5) Appropriate Places to Fly
Before you buy a drone as a holiday gift, try to figure out where the recipient may fly it. As far as the law goes, no one owns the air so it is okay to fly drones in your neighborhood, as your flying cannot be considered trespassing nor can be deemed an invasion of privacy. Basically, you can fly anywhere you like as long as it is not in a ‘no fly’ zone.
The best places to fly drones (apart from one’s backyard) include local parks, model airplane clubs and anywhere you can keep the drone ‘within sight’ – no higher than 400 feet. The drone should also be at least 150 feet away from people, vehicles and buildings. No one should fly a drone within 5 miles of an airport, near a controlled airspace, close to an emergency or rescue operation, within a national park or over a stadium.
It is important to research fly zones in advance for any temporary restrictions due to hazardous weather conditions or security-related events. There is plenty of information available online regarding how to choose a safe and legal location to fly a drone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to consider at least 5 main points before buying a drone as a gift for Christmas. These include how old the recipient is, what country the recipient lives in, who is responsible for registering it, how much training is required and where it be can be flown. These factors (when determined) will help you buy the best aircraft for your intended receiver.
Now, off you go to further research and hopefully purchase that perfect UAV device. Tis the season of giving so why not give the gift of speed, fun and excitement – buy a drone! Good luck and happy shopping!
*Affiliate Linke to Amazon