If you have been checking out drones for a while, you probably have come across an awesome feature called, “Headless Mode.” This can be especially confusing and strange to some first-timers, especially those with no prior aviation experience.
I got a few questions about the Headless Mode feature on a drone over the time and decided it is time to set the record straight. Headless Mode isn’t a bad thing at all. In fact, it is a very common and overlooked feature that most beginners don’t know what it exactly does.
Several drones such as Holy Stone HS720E, Ruko U11 and even Potensic D68 all have this feature. It also can be found from toy drones to camera drones to professional drones. While it isn’t commonly used at high-end drones, it is still there as a design feature for first-timers and beginners.
You will be surprised to learn once I tell you that Headless Mode is actually a beginner-friendly feature. Stick around with me to read and learn more about the Headless Mode that you have been missing out on.
What is Headless Mode on a Drone
The Headless Mode on a drone basically switches the control orientation from the drone to your remote controller. If you have seen how the drone flies based on the direction it is faced at. The front facing of the drone dictates where it flies in and not the remote controller itself.
To first-timers and beginners, it can be especially confusing and jarring if they are trying to learn how to fly a drone. This is where the Headless Mode comes into action by reorienting the controls from drone to your remote controller.
The Headless Mode allows you to fly the drone based on the direction you are pushing the movement lever at. Thus, if you are pushing the movement lever to the left, then the drone will fly to the left regardless of its front-facing position. The Headless Mode eliminates all, if not most of challenges for beginners by making it easy to fly a drone.
Why Use Headless Mode on a Drone
If you are a first-timer and have no prior flight experience, you will definitely want to use Headless Mode on a drone. This is completely optional, but that will at least make your first few flights easier to learn before moving on to a much more advanced control.
The other time you will want to use Headless Mode is if you are having a hard time controlling the drone or just want to have fun flying it. This feature is a nice way to relax during the downtime without making the whole flight complex.
How Does Headless Mode Works on a Drone
The Headless Mode works by reorienting the controls from drone to your remote controller. This works exactly like a switch. By default, the drone assumes primary controls. To enable Headless Mode, you will have to refer to the drone’s user manual.
Tap on the Headless Mode button to switch the orientation controls. Usually there are several ways to know if the Headless Mode is activated by beeping noise, lights on and sometimes through the app. If none of these design features are enabled, then you can know by testing the drone’s movement to see if the Headless Mode has been activated.
Advantages of Headless Mode on a Drone
There are several advantages to using Headless Mode on a drone:
- Makes it easy for beginners to fly a drone.
- Great way to get orientated to flight controls.
- Simplify the entire flight experience.
- Good way to relax during downtime.
Disadvantages of Headless Mode on a Drone
Of course, there are some disadvantages to using Headless Mode on a drone. In most cases, it’s generally put to good uses. But there’s some downside to using Headless Mode on a drone:
- Limits skill growth, especially for flying.
- Makes the whole flying boring.
- Doesn’t challenge the pilot.
Conclusion
Now that you know what Headless Mode is and how it works on a drone. The next time you get a brand new drone, I highly recommend you to turn on Headless Mode for a while so that you get used to the flight performance and basics of the quadcopter.
Once you are comfortable, you can disable and work on developing your piloting skill. The Headless Mode is truly an awesome feature and I think every beginner should know about this. Be sure to check out our top best headless mode drones for beginners, or visit our favorite drones directly:
If you have any questions about this feature, feel free to ask us in the comment section below. Stay tuned for more drones news at Dronesfy. Happy flying and be safe.
