Build your own drone

Years ago, if you wanted a quadcopter you had to build it. Now there are several companies producing affordable, easy-to-fly multirotors that fly straight out of the box. But that doesn’t mean the days of DIY drones are over. In fact, there has never been a better time to build your own. Drone components have become cheaper and more modular, and the software that controls them is more stable and easier to use than ever before. Even if your ultimate intention is to fly a Parrot ANAFI or a DJI Phantom 4 Pro, there is a lot to be gained from building your own quadcopter first. You’ll end up with a much better understanding of how the different flight systems work together and you’ll have an aircraft that is much more versatile. That gives you a chance to experiment and find out whether you really want a glass-smooth aerial photography platform, or a high-performance racing quad. And a home-built drone is much easier to repair yourself, if you have some crashes along the way.