What Are The Types of Drones?

What is a Drone? What are the types of drones? – Over the past decades, drone technology has boomed, making them much more affordable and accessible for both professional and personal use.  

This surge in popularity means there’s a vast selection of drones available – fantastic news for anyone wanting their own personal flying machine, as you’re sure to find the perfect one for your needs. 

However, with so many types serving different purposes, choosing the right drone requires some research.  

So stay tuned as we guide you through a simple and practical breakdown of drone types based on key features to help you find your ideal match.

What is a Drone?

In general definition, a drone, also known as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is a flying machine that operates without a person on board. 

It navigates the skies either through pre-programmed software or by being controlled remotely by humans.

Types of Drones

Drones come in all shapes, sizes, and abilities, from tiny recreational models to powerful machines used for professional tasks like surveillance and control.  

To make things easier, we’ll break down the different drone categories, so you can find the perfect one for you.

1. Types of Drones by Its Wing Types

• Multi-rotor drones: When it comes to drones, multi-rotor designs reign supreme for both hobbyists and professionals. Nicknamed “rotary-wing” drones for their multiple propellers, they’re popular for their compact size and exceptional maneuverability.  
• Fixed-wing drones: Unlike their multi-rotor cousins, fixed-wing drones rely on aerodynamics to stay aloft, just like airplanes. Their design allows them to stay airborne for longer durations and reach higher speeds.
• Single-rotor helicopter drones: Built tough and powerful, single-rotor drones resemble helicopters, sporting one main blade for lift and a tail rotor for control. They combine the portability of multi-rotors with the muscle of helicopters.
• Hybrid VTOL drones: Hybrid VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) drones are drones that combine the best of both worlds: the long flight times and impressive range of fixed-wing drones with the vertical take-off and landing capabilities of helicopters. 

2 Types of Drones by Its Sizes

• Nano Drones: Their size ranges from a mere 1 centimeter to 50 centimeters.
• Medium Drones: Larger than nano drones with a dimension above 2 meters with the weight up to 200 kg.
• Large Drones: This drones’s size are comparable to a smaller aircrafts.

Here you go, the definition of drones along with its various types!

But, before you buy or operate a drone in Indonesia, it’s essential to understand the regulations set forth by the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo). 

These guidelines aim to ensure that drone usage doesn’t disrupt other communication systems sharing the same frequencies.

Kominfo’s Regulation No. 2 of 2023 outlines the specific frequency bands allocated for drone operations. 

Additionally, Ministerial Decree No. 554 of 2021 mandates that drones adhere to technical standards, including a transmit power limit of <20 dBm EIRP for the 2400-2483 MHz and 5725-5825 MHz frequency bands.

To ensure compliance, drone sales and usage must adhere to these regulations and obtain the necessary DJID certification.