How to Avoid Losing Your Drone: Essential Guide to Prevent Leaks

Losing a drone is one of the biggest fears of those who are starting - and it happens more often than you think.

In most cases, it is not a technical failure, but a human error or lack of preparation before the flight.

The good news?

With the right practices, almost all escapes can be avoided.

In this article, you will learn how to protect your drone and avoid surprises in the air.

1. Check the battery before taking off

You never take off with:

• Less than 50% battery on the drone

• Less than 50% battery on the remote/mobile phone

If the battery is low, the drone can:

• Not being able to return

• Fall due to low voltage

• Turn off in the air (in cheaper models)

Golden rule:

The flight ends when it reaches 30% battery.

2. Wait for the drone to fix the GPS

Many beginners take off before the GPS calibrates.

Result? The drone doesn't know where it is → it can't return.

Before flying, confirm on the screen:

• GPS Fix (minimum 8 satellites)

• Active GPS or GNSS mode

If ATTI Mode appears, do not take flight - the drone will not maintain the position.

3. Calibrates the compass regularly

It flies in places with magnetic interference and the compass is poorly calibrated → the drone disorients.

Calibrate whenever:

• Notice appears in the app

• You are in a new place

• Change the battery

• You are far from urban areas

❌ Do not calibrate near cars, poles, antennas, grids or metal structures.

4. Keeps the drone within safe range

Even if the manufacturer says "10 km of range" - this is in perfect condition.

What causes signal loss:

• Buildings

• Dense trees

• Mountains

• City Wi-Fi

Tip: Keep the drone always visible (line of sight).

5. Correctly defines the "Return to Home (RTH)"

Before taking off:

• Sets the return altitude (RTH above buildings and trees)

• Confirms that the starting point has been registered

The RTH prevents the drone from:

• Collides with trees

• Hit on poles

• Get stuck behind buildings

6. Attention to the wind

The wind is mainly responsible for dragged and lost drones.

For beginners:

Do not fly with gusts above 25–30 km/h.

If there is a strong wind:

• Avoid flying away against the wind

• Fly against the wind on the way back = return safely

Conclusion

Losing a drone is not destiny, it's prevention.

If you apply these precautions on all flights, you will fly more safely, confidently and responsibly.

The safer you are → the more fun it is to fly.