Welcome to the complete Lemon Drone Course all about how to fly a quadcopter drone. Below you will see a table of contents that lays out the entire course step by step.
On each lesson page you will see a complete YouTube video with a summary and transcription. We'll also include any downloads that may be helpful.
If you ever wanted to learn how to fly a quadcopter, this complete course will be the best place to start. This originally was going to be a paid course but we realized that it would be better to give it all away for free to build our community first.
NOTE: This is a living document and will be updated daily to accommodate for events such as the Phantom 4 launch and FAA regulation changes. Please let us know by posting in the Lemon Drone Facebook Group (click here) so we can update as quickly as possible.
We hope you enjoy this course! If you know anyone who may benefit from learning the material, please share this page with them.
Course Outline
- 1 Section 1 – Overview of the How To Fly A Quadcopter Drone Course
- 2 Section 2 – Safety And Legal Considerations For Drones
- 3 Section 3 – Your Drone Setup
- 4 Section 4 – How To Fly A Quadcopter Flight School
- 5 Section 5 – Capturing Epic Drone Imagery and Video
- 6 Section 6 – Editing Drone Footage
- 7 Section 7 – Marketing Your Drone Footage
- 8 Section 8 – Traveling With Your Drone
- 9 Section 9 – Drone FAQ and Final Thoughts
Section 1 – Overview of the How To Fly A Quadcopter Drone Course
In this section you will learn all about your instructor Mark and the goals for this course. This is a great place to start so that you get the most out of this drone course!
2. How to get the most out of this course
In this lesson, Mark underlines the importance of using drones legally and safely.
Section 2 – Safety And Legal Considerations For Drones
In this section, you will learn all about the drone FAA regulations, rules and general best practice guidelines for flying your drone safely. You will learn about No Fly Zones, (non-professional) legal considerations, and our own “three drone commandments” that we use to ensure safe use of our quadcopters.
PLEASE NOTE: this information is not official nor should it be the final word for your decisions. We simply curate information and experience to deliver this information. For complete, up to date FAA drone regulations, please refer to the FAA website by clicking here.
1. Section 2 – Safety and Legal Considerations
This section is all about safety and legal considerations considering the use of consumer drones.
2. Legal Considerations
Mark overviews legal considerations in the United States for the use of drones.
Section 3 – Your Drone Setup
In this section we will talk about the types of drones you should buy, the parts of the drone and what sort of drones are available to you as a consumer.
There are many factors that go into the decision to buy a drone or to buy a quadcopter and Mark will share his insider information with you so that you can make the best possible decision.
3. Choosing a Drone
Mark goes over the best drones available for purchase, and what you’ll get with your purchase.
Section 4 – How To Fly A Quadcopter Flight School
In this section you will get a full education on how to fly a quadcopter, which we call “Flight School.” You will start off by learning how to use and practice with a flight simulator, then how to graduate to a practice drone.
We've included a lesson on the Pre-Flight Checklist we use that gives you a clear guide for your next flight (printable). Mark then covers the take off and landing procedures for your drone, which are some of the most important skills to know.
Mark will also teach you about the flight patterns you can do with your quadcopter – hovering, roll, pitch and yaw. He will show you video that simultaneously show the drone moving and what his fingers are doing with the remote!
Lastly, you'll learn all about the DJI flight modes and DJI Go App. This will allow you to get full use from your drone and the software that flies it.
2. Using A Flight Simulator
Simulators are a risk-free way of getting to know how the controls work.
3. Using A Practice Drone
Simulators are a great way to get familiar with the basic controls of a drone. Once you’ve had a go with the simulator, it’s time to try your hand at flying an actual real drone.
4. Pre-Flight Checklist
Commercial airline pilots are required to follow a systematic pre-flight checklist in order to make sure the aircraft is functioning properly and important procedures are not skipped.
5. Take Off And Landing A Drone
In this lesson, we will demonstrate take off and landing techniques and tips.
6. Hovering – Roll – Pitch – Yaw
In this lesson, you will learn how to hover and position your aircraft.
7. Flight Modes
Some modern drones have programmable flight modes for executing certain movements in an automated or semi-automated way.
8. DJI Go App Walkthrough
In this lesson you will learn how to use mobile applications like the DJI Go app as a control center for your drone.
Section 5 – Capturing Epic Drone Imagery and Video
In this section, you'll learn all about capturing epic aerial images and videos. This is one of the most exciting parts of flying a drone! But can also be frustrating if you can't seem to capture any footage that you are proud of.
Mark will walk you through all the mechanics and settings you need so that you can capture the best possible drone photos and drone video.
He will also help you with basic photography fundamentals so that you can learn how to take really amazing shots.
1. Capturing Epic Imagery
In this section I’m going to cover how to generate the best aerial imagery with your drone.
2. Drone Photo Settings
In this lesson you will learn what format and settings to use when shooting photos to get the best end result.
3. Drone Video Settings
In this lesson you will learn how to capture video footage with your drone. You will learn which video format to shoot in, resolution, frame rate, exposure and ISO.
4. Making A Great Aerial Shot
In this lesson you will learn the technical and conceptual characteristics that make up a great shot.
5. Best Shots To Take With Your Drone
In this lesson you will learn how to perform 5 camera drone moves that work great in technical production.
Section 6 – Editing Drone Footage
1. Editing Epic Footage
The aim of this section is to give you an introduction to editing aerial footage and photos.
2. Introduction To Adobe Lightroom
In this lesson you will learn how to edit still photos you take with your drone.
3. Introduction to Adobe Photoshop
In this lesson you will get a quick tutorial of Adobe Photoshop. Learn how to improve your aerial photos.
4. Introduction to Final Cut Pro
In this lesson, you will get a short introduction to editing videos with Final Cut Pro.
5. Selecting Music For Your Videos
In this lesson you will learn how hi-quality sound and music compliment footage.
Section 7 – Marketing Your Drone Footage
1. Marketing Your Footage
This section is about getting your aerial footage out into the world and marketing yourself as a quality aerial footage provider.
2. Demo Reel Best Practices
In this lesson you will get tips for creating a demo reel. A demo reel is the best way to prove you have what it takes to deliver hi-quality footage to your clients.
3. Editing For Instagram
In this lesson, you will learn the steps for launching and sharing footage to Instagram.
4. Editing For Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo
In this lesson, you will learn the steps to uploading video footage to social media and video services to get more exposure.
Section 8 – Traveling With Your Drone
1. Traveling With Your Drone
Learn about protecting your hardware, airline travel, and international considerations.
2. Protecting Hardware
In this lesson, you will learn how to keep your equipment organized and safe as you travel.
3. Airline Travel
In this lesson, you will learn how to pack your drone and equipment for air travel, and what you can and cannot take on a plane.
4. International Considerations
In this lesson, you will learn how to travel internationally with your drone. You will need to fill out paperwork.
Section 9 – Drone FAQ and Final Thoughts
1. Final Thoughts
This section is going to contain some final thoughts and tips, I will also be adding updated information here from time to time.
3. Drone Accessories
In this video I want to show you a few of the accessories that I like to use with my drones.
4. Other Drone Options
In this lesson, you will learn more about two other drones that are available besides the ones mentioned previously.
5. Great Locations to Shoot
In this video, I’m gonna give you a list of my top five favorite places to fly a drone to capture an aerial video.
6. Tips for Cold Weather Flying
In this lesson, you will learn some tips for flying in cold weather.