The Droner's Manual

eBundle: printed book and eBook download code

The incredible advancements in the field of unmanned aircraft within the last decade have made it possible for almost anyone to build their own UAV, opening up exciting business opportunities in numerous fields ranging from video production to agriculture. However, many beginners and even more experienced hobbyists find this daunting, as reliable information for construction and programming of unmanned aircraft is often scattered across various sources, and the industry lacks established standards for the safe and efficient operation of small unmanned aircraft.

The Droner’s Manual: A Guide to the Responsible Operation of Small Unmanned Aircraft compiles the most important and relevant knowledge into a guide for both beginner and experienced operators. With his expertise as a UAV operator for government, industry, and hobby uses, author Kevin Jenkins offers step-by-step guidance to build, program, test, and fly both multicopters and fixed-wing aircraft for a variety of purposes. This comprehensive manual covers unmanned system components, aircraft set up, flight controller fundamentals and failsafe features, regulations for recreational and commercial use, the flight testing process, and flight operations. The more than 70 illustrations include detailed schematics and diagrams for the construction of complex systems such as first-person view (FPV) and imaging payloads.

You will fly with confidence by following this book’s direction on mission planning, checklists, and safe flight operations. Whether you use it to build your first unmanned aircraft or as a handy reference in the field, The Droner’s Manual is an essential for drone builders, pilots, and operators.

Kevin Jenkins grew up outside of Portland, Oregon, near the airport where he first learned to fly. In 2009, he earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. Kevin spent several years as a test engineer and UAV operator, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. After returning to the United States, he worked on a composites research and development team but was soon drawn back into the field of unmanned aircraft. What began as a hobby in his garage developed into a full-time career, leading to positions with three small companies developing small UAVs for civilian applications. Kevin is deeply passionate about the science of unmanned flight and its potential to shape the world we live in.