Drone Glossary
From AGL to Yaw, learn the essential terminology used in the drone industry. Our comprehensive glossary covers technical terms, acronyms, and jargon.
A
AGL
Above Ground Level - The altitude measurement from the ground directly below the drone. FAA limits recreational drones to 400 feet AGL in uncontrolled airspace.
APAS
Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems - DJI's obstacle avoidance technology that allows drones to navigate around obstacles autonomously during flight.
ActiveTrack
DJI's subject tracking technology that uses AI to follow moving subjects while avoiding obstacles. Essential for action sports and dynamic filming scenarios.
Acro Mode
Manual flight mode where the drone only stabilizes rate of rotation, not attitude. The drone will flip if you hold the stick - the basis for all freestyle and racing flying.
ATTI Mode
Attitude Mode - A flight mode where GPS positioning is disabled, and the drone relies only on its barometer and IMU. The drone will drift with the wind and requires more pilot skill.
Arm/Disarm
The safety command that enables (arms) or disables (disarms) the motors. Prevents accidental motor spin. Usually activated by holding both sticks in a specific position or flipping a switch.
Angle Mode
A self-leveling flight mode that automatically returns to level when sticks are centered. Limits maximum tilt angle for stability. Ideal for beginners and camera work.
B
Brushless Motor
The type of motor used in most modern drones. More efficient, powerful, and durable than brushed motors because they use electromagnets instead of physical brushes for rotation.
BVLOS
Beyond Visual Line of Sight - Flying a drone where the pilot cannot see it directly. Requires special FAA waivers and is common in commercial delivery and inspection operations.
Binding
The process of pairing a transmitter with a receiver so they communicate on the same channel. Usually involves holding a button while powering on the receiver.
C
Compass Calibration
A procedure to calibrate the drone's magnetometer by rotating it horizontally and vertically. Necessary in new locations or when compass errors occur. Prevents erratic flight behavior.
C-Rating
A measurement of how fast a battery can discharge. Higher C-ratings allow batteries to deliver more current for high-performance maneuvers. FPV batteries often have 75C-150C ratings.
Cine Mode
A flight mode optimized for smooth, cinematic footage with slower acceleration and gentler stick response. Ideal for professional video work.
D
E
ESC
Electronic Speed Controller - The circuit that controls the speed of each motor based on commands from the flight controller. Converts DC battery power to three-phase AC power for brushless motors.
F
FPV
First Person View - A method of flying where the pilot sees from the drone's perspective through a live video feed, typically using goggles or a screen. FPV drones are popular for racing and freestyle flying.
Failsafe
Automatic emergency procedures activated when problems occur, such as lost signal or low battery. Common failsafe actions include RTH, hover in place, or auto-land.
Flight Controller
The drone's brain - a circuit board running flight control software that processes sensor data and sends commands to motors. Responsible for stability, GPS hold, and automated flight modes.
G
Gimbal
A pivoting support system that keeps the camera stable during flight. Gimbals use motors and sensors to counteract drone movement, ensuring smooth, shake-free footage. Most consumer drones use 3-axis gimbals (pitch, roll, yaw).
GPS
Global Positioning System - A satellite-based navigation system that provides location and time data. Drones use GPS for stable hovering, return-to-home, waypoint navigation, and geofencing.
GPS Lock
The state when a drone has acquired signals from enough satellites (usually 8+) to accurately determine its position. Required for stable hover, RTH, and waypoint navigation.
Geofencing
A software system that uses GPS to create virtual boundaries, preventing drones from entering restricted airspace like airports or national parks. Can be overridden with proper authorization.
H
Hyperlapse
A time-lapse technique where the drone moves along a path while capturing images at intervals, then combines them into a sped-up video showing dramatic movement through space and time.
Headless Mode
A beginner-friendly flight mode where forward/backward controls are relative to the pilot's position, not the drone's orientation. Simplifies flying when the drone is facing the pilot.
I
IMU
Inertial Measurement Unit - A sensor package containing accelerometers and gyroscopes that measures the drone's orientation, velocity, and gravitational forces. Critical for stable flight.
L
LiDAR
Light Detection and Ranging - A sensor technology that uses laser pulses to measure distances and create 3D maps of the environment. Enables precise obstacle avoidance and terrain following, even in low-light conditions.
LiPo Battery
Lithium Polymer Battery - The most common drone battery type, offering high energy density and discharge rates. Requires careful handling and storage due to fire risk.
Latency
The delay between the drone capturing video and it appearing on your screen or goggles. Critical for FPV flying where high latency (>100ms) makes precise control difficult.
LAANC
Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability - An automated system that provides near-real-time airspace authorization for drone flights in controlled airspace.
N
O
Obstacle Avoidance
Sensor systems that detect and avoid obstacles during flight. Modern drones use combinations of cameras, ultrasonic sensors, infrared, and LiDAR for omnidirectional detection.
P
Part 107
The FAA regulation governing commercial drone operations in the United States. Requires passing a knowledge test to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate.
Pitch
Tilting the drone forward or backward to move in that direction. The right stick up/down controls pitch on Mode 2 transmitters. Greater pitch angle means faster forward/backward movement.
Photogrammetry
The science of making measurements from photographs to create 3D models or maps. Drones capture overlapping images that software stitches into detailed orthomosaic maps.
Prop Wash
Turbulent air created by spinning propellers. Can cause instability when a drone descends through its own prop wash or flies near obstacles that redirect airflow.
Propeller Guard
A protective frame or cage that surrounds the propellers to prevent damage during collisions. Essential for indoor flying and beginner pilots. Adds weight but significantly improves safety.
R
Remote ID
A digital license plate system required by the FAA that broadcasts identification and location information during flight. As of 2024, all drones must have Remote ID capability.
RTH
Return to Home - An automated safety feature that commands the drone to fly back to its takeoff point. Activates when battery is low, signal is lost, or manually triggered.
Roll
Tilting the drone left or right to move sideways. The right stick left/right controls roll on Mode 2 transmitters. Essential for strafing shots and banked turns.
Receiver
The component on the drone that receives control signals from the transmitter. Must be paired with a compatible transmitter using the same protocol (SBUS, CRSF, etc.).
S
Sport Mode
A flight mode that increases maximum speed and responsiveness by reducing stability assistance. Disables obstacle avoidance on most drones for maximum performance.
T
TRUST
The Recreational UAS Safety Test - A free online test required for all recreational drone pilots in the USA. Covers basic safety guidelines, airspace rules, and operating requirements.
Throttle
The control that adjusts motor power to change altitude. Left stick up/down on Mode 2 transmitters. Unlike airplane throttle, drone throttle must be actively managed for altitude.
TFR
Temporary Flight Restriction - A temporary airspace restriction issued by the FAA for events like presidential visits, sporting events, wildfires, or emergencies.
Tripod Mode
An ultra-slow flight mode for precise positioning and indoor flying. Maximum speeds are reduced to allow fine movements for detailed shots.
Telemetry
Real-time data transmitted from the drone to the controller showing battery voltage, GPS coordinates, altitude, speed, and other flight parameters. Essential for monitoring drone health.
Transmitter
The handheld radio controller used to fly the drone. Contains joysticks, switches, and often a screen. Communicates with the receiver on the drone via radio frequencies.
V
VLOS
Visual Line of Sight - The FAA requirement that pilots must be able to see their drone with unaided eyes at all times during flight. Flying beyond VLOS requires special waivers.
W
Waypoint
A GPS coordinate programmed into the drone's flight path for autonomous missions. Waypoint navigation allows drones to fly complex routes automatically for mapping or inspection.