What to Do When You Lose Control of Your sUAS

Losing Control of Your sUAS: A Remote Pilot’s Quick Guide

Imagine the scene: you're out in the field, fingers dancing over your controller, the sun shining bright, and your small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) is soaring above, capturing stunning footage. Suddenly, you lose control. Your heart races, and panic sets in. What should you do? Well, let’s break it down together.

First Things First: Regain Control

The first and most crucial step when you lose control of your sUAS is to attempt to regain that control and assess the situation. Now, you might be thinking, “Why is that so important?” Well, let’s unpack it.

When control is lost, it’s easy to get swept up in what could go wrong. Your mind flashes to potential crashes, property damage, or worse. But don’t let anxiety guide your actions. Pause for a second, clear your head, and focus on the task at hand—regaining control. Often, the loss of control may just be temporary; perhaps the signal is weak or there’s a minor technical glitch. By attempting to regain control, you give yourself the chance to re-establish communication or stabilize your drone before making any rash decisions.

Assessing the Circumstances

While trying to regain control, assess the surrounding environment. It's like navigating a tricky maze; the more you understand the layout, the better your chances of finding your way out. Based on your assessment, evaluate whether the loss of control is likely to be permanent or temporary. This analysis is key. Is your drone hovering at a dangerous altitude? Are people nearby? Making this informed assessment can help you avoid a potentially hazardous situation.

And here’s something to consider—keeping your cool during this process is vital. Shoo away those nerves. Think clearly and weigh your options based on your flight’s purpose and the immediate environment. Taking the time to observe might just save the day.

What Not to Do

Now, while regaining control is advantageous, there are definitely some paths to avoid. Let’s chat about them so you can steer clear.

Landing Without Thinking

You might feel an urge to land your drone immediately, but hold on there! Launching your drone into the ground could introduce more problems than it solves. If your drone is high up and you land it blindly, it could hurt someone on the ground or crash into something you can't see. You wouldn’t want your beautiful drone meeting its untimely end, right? So, assess the altitude and surroundings before deciding to land.

Calling for Emergency Services

Sometimes, our instincts jump to the worst-case scenario. But unless your drone poses a direct threat—like a potential collision or dangerous descent—there’s often no need to contact emergency services. Stay grounded—no pun intended—and assess whether the situation warrants such an extreme step. Jumping the gun could unnecessarily burden authorities who are trained to handle far worse emergencies.

Hoping for a Miracle

Ah, the “hope for recovery” tactic—an approach that sounds appealing but can be downright risky. Continuing to pilot your sUAS blindly is like playing a game of roulette with unpredictable stakes. Your drone could veer into crowded spaces, cause crashes, or create chaos. Hope is great, but it’s not a strategy with wheels.

Instead of relying on a wishful thinking method, stick to the logical game plan: regain control and assess the situation without further escalating the problem.

Embracing Best Practices

So, what’s the takeaway from all this? It’s simple: your first move should always be to regain control and assess your situation. This proactive approach fosters careful consideration of your drone's stability and solves issues without causing a world of chaos.

As technology continues to evolve, understanding your sUAS—and practicing how to handle unexpected situations—becomes paramount. Think about it this way: with great power comes great responsibility—and your drone is about as powerful as it gets in the sky.

Wrap-Up: Stay Calm and Pilot On

The next time you find yourself in a sticky spot with your sUAS, remember to breathe. You’ve got this! Focus on regaining control, evaluate your surroundings, and choose the best way forward.

And hey, who knows? As you ponder your surroundings while wrestling with control issues, you might even find new perspectives or ideas for your next flight. Embrace those moments of challenge. After all, each flight is not just a chance to capture breathtaking views but also an opportunity to hone your skills as a remote pilot.

Next time you gear up for a flight, carry these strategies with you. Stay safe, keep it fun, and let your drone take you to new heights—figuratively and literally!