When I began my career as a commercial drone pilot, I couldn’t wait to get my first gig.
After much searching, when I found my first paying client, I was focused on ensuring my drone was ready for the shoot. I cleaned the camera lens, checked all the propellers the night before, charged the batteries, and updated the firmware to ensure that none of these things would cause any issues on site.
Once I arrived at the gig, I realized I had focused all my attention on the drone and forgot to bring the charger, flight log, and neutral density (ND) filters. Luckily for me, I was able to complete the work without them, but I came very close to running out of battery power on my last flight. Had the client needed a few more shots, I would have been in an awkward position of telling them I couldn’t do it because I had forgotten to bring a charger.
After that experience, I made sure to have a kit ready with everything I needed. The gig was a good reminder to me that while the drone gets all the glory, the gear that supports your UAV is just as important. No commercial drone pilot should be without a drone pilot kit.
FLYING outlines everything you need to have in a basic kit and share some of our go-to accessories.
Core Components of a Beginner Drone Pilot Kit
As you log more flight hours, you’ll start to get more complex and higher-paying work. These gigs will eventually require you to get additional gear. In the beginning, you’ll only need a few components to be up and running:
- Drone
- Controller
- Batteries and charger
- Propellers
- ND filters
- Carrying case
Before getting into the details of each of these, let’s talk about why starting with just these basic elements is the best course of action for new pilots.
Why Beginner Kits Are Ideal for New Drone Pilots
When you’re first starting as a commercial drone pilot, simplicity is best. As your career progresses, you can add more gear to your kit, but starting with the basics is the best approach for several reasons.
- READ MORE: State of the Drone Industry 2025
Basic kits are cost-effective. There is no reason to invest heavily in gear beyond the basics as a new pilot. With fewer pieces of equipment to master, you build confidence quickly.
Finally, the elements of the kit FLYING will recommend are designed for new and experienced pilots with autonomous features and durability in mind.
The drone
It’s pretty challenging to be a commercial drone pilot without a drone. Selecting the best drone for you comes down to a few key factors, but two of the most important are your budget and the specific use case.
Drones can range in cost from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars. When pilots ask me how much to spend on their drones, I always suggest buying a drone where the cost can be recouped within the first ten jobs it is used on.
Once you know the amount of money you are willing to spend, you must decide on the type of work you’ll be doing. Basic photography drones are ideal for beginners as they are easy to use and cost-effective. A basic drone kit doesn’t mean you need to buy a low-quality drone. Your drone still needs to have features like a 1-inch CMOS sensor/4K camera, GPS, altitude hold, and flight times longer than 20 minutes.
Our recommendation is the DJI Air 3S. If you purchase the Fly More combo for $1,599, you receive the drone, remote, three batteries, ND filters, and additional accessories. The drone features all the recommendations we have for first-time pilots. It is easy to fly and perfect for projects like real estate photography.
On a side note, make sure to have memory cards available if they are not included with the drone. 256 GB cards are the best.
The controller
Most manufacturers in the prosumer drone space sell the drone as a kit that includes the controller or remote control, but this isn’t always the case.
When looking for a controller, your first choice should ideally include a controller with a basic layout and user-friendly functions. It should also connect seamlessly with your drone, and, unless it has a built-in screen, connect with the smartphone and app you plan to use when flying your drone.
It’s difficult to recommend a specific controller, as this is highly dependent on the drone you are flying. That being said, a good place to start is with trusted brands like DJI. Start with a basic model that is easy to learn to fly with. A good example is the DJI FPV Remote Controller 2. This remote is simple and can be purchased for as little as $159. Remember, before adding this to your kit, ensure it is compatible with your drone and other technology.
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Batteries and charger
You can have the best drone in the world, but it is little more than an expensive paperweight if there is no way to power it.
Drone batteries and their associated chargers are a must for beginner drone kits. Most drones come with at least one battery and a charging method. As a new pilot, you’ll find battery flight times from 10-40 minutes. Look for flight times of at least 20 minutes. Anything else is just too low for commercial work.
When selecting batteries, always purchase those made by the manufacturer of the drone. Batteries can be expensive, and there are several third-party vendors that will make “compatible” batteries. While these may work, they are not always designed with the same detail and quality as those made by the OEM.
Using third-party batteries can also pose a greater risk of hazardous conditions, such as fires. Save yourself the headache and only buy OEM batteries and chargers, especially when building your first drone kit.
Propellers
Propellers are one of those things you often don’t think about when starting in the drone industry. But just like the batteries, without working propellers, your drone won’t fly.
Only purchase propellers designed specifically for your drone. Before each flight, inspect the propellers for burrs, nicks, or other damage. If there is any damage, replace the propeller.
For beginner drone kits, you need at least one extra set of propellers. It’s easy to break them when you first start by either crashing your drone or not taking proper care of them in storage or transportation. No kit should be without a second set of propellers.
ND filters
Drones like the DJI Mavic 3 Pro have built-in features to help bring out the best in your photography.
As you become a better photographer and pilot, you’ll learn the power of manually controlling the settings of your camera, but in the beginning, the auto features are a great place to start. Sometimes, though, the auto features still don’t capture lighting conditions as well as you would hope they would.
ND filters reduce the amount of light entering a drone’s camera lens, allowing for better control of exposure and shutter speed in bright conditions. This helps create smoother, more cinematic footage by preventing overexposure and enabling natural motion blur.
Set yourself up for success by including a set of ND filters in your kit, and make sure they fit your drone.
Carrying case
Modern drones are robust, but they are still a sensitive piece of electronic equipment.
The last thing you need as part of your basic drone pilot kit is a good carrying case. Cases should help you transport your drone and related equipment while keeping everything safe and organized.
Higher-end cases, such as those made by Zarges, offer the best protection available. Other cases are available and constructed from a variety of materials, including cloth and plastic. Select a case that offers the protection you need. The more remote your work, the better a case you need.
Building a beginner’s drone kit is a must for new pilots. With so much gear to choose from, it can get overwhelming for those just starting in the industry. It’s best to start with a quality drone, a simple controller, batteries offering at least 20 minutes of flight time, extra propellers, ND filters, and a solid carrying case.
With these basic elements, you’ll have all you need to start earning money as a commercial drone pilot.
FAQ
Do I need a license to fly a drone as a beginner?
Yes, hobbyists need to pass the FAA TRUST test, and commercial pilots must get a Part 107 license. Start working on your Part 107 with online schools like Altitude University and the Pilot Institute.
Are beginner kits good enough for paid commercial work?
Yes, if they include a reliable drone with decent camera quality and flight time, they’re suitable for entry-level jobs.
What’s the most common mistake new drone pilots make?
Forgetting essential gear, such as batteries or memory cards, before a shoot is one of the most common beginner oversights.
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