Drone Essentials: Batteries and Charging

Batteries:
- Buy manufacturer-rated batteries (DJI) to ensure quality and compatibility
- Phantom 4 Pro extended life batteries have a white insert in the middle
- Minimum of 10 batteries recommended for technical track operations
- Colorado Drone Chargers is a trusted brand for multi-chargers and simultaneous charging
Charging:
- Rule 1: Never pull a battery off the charger until it's fully charged
- Rule 2: Never leave a battery unattended while charging
- Rule 3: Always charge batteries on a fireproof surface
- Colorado Drone Chargers' quad charger can charge four extended life batteries in 45 minutes

Tablet or Phone Control:
- Most popular options: iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch
- iPad is the most flexible solution, but overheats easily
- Crystal Sky has a built-in hood, but also overheats and lacks third-party app integration
- iPod Touch is a cost-effective and secure option
Cables:
- MFI certified cables ensure data and power transfer
- Carry a box of cables with different types and lengths
Propellers:
- Redundancy is key; carry at least two or three pairs of props
- Old school propellers are recommended over the new quiet props
- High-altitude propellers are necessary for flying above 7,000 ft

ND Filters:
- Polar Pro ND filters are recommended for video shooting
- ND4, ND8, and ND16 filters can be used depending on the lighting conditions
SD Cards:
- SanDisk 128 Micro SD extreme Pro cards are recommended
- Cards should have a minimum write speed of 95 megabits per second

iFixit Kit:
- A valuable toolkit for drone repair and maintenance
- Includes tools for taking apart an iPhone and binding remotes
Power Bank:
- A mono price battery is a cost-effective option for charging devices
- A 20,000 milliamp battery is recommended for drone operations

Aviation Radio:
- An Icom Aviation radio is recommended for communication in controlled airspace
- A bow Fang radio can be used for team communications
Business Card:
- Always carry a business card for networking and marketing opportunities### Drone Acquisition Equipment
Having a programmable radio (e.g. Icom Aviation radio and Baofeng radio) is recommended for team communication and legitimacy
A high-visibility (hi-vis) vest is essential for team legitimacy and safety
Wearing a hi-vis vest with a certificate holder and FAA logo can help avoid being accosted by authorities
Hi-vis vests with pockets are recommended for storing radios, certificates, and other essential items

A hi-vis vest can make a difference in how authorities perceive and respond to drone operators
It's essential to understand that people tend to judge others based on appearance, and a hi-vis vest can help create a positive impression
Authorities are becoming more educated on drone regulations, making it easier for drone operators to work without interruptions

The next video will cover processing topics, including GPS, GCP pads, and processing equipment such as computers
Documentation will also be discussed in a future video
It's essential to stay updated on drone accessories and regulations, as they tend to change every couple of years

Batteries:
- Use manufacturer-rated batteries (e.g. DJI) for quality and compatibility
- Phantom 4 Pro extended life batteries have a distinct white insert
- A minimum of 10 batteries is recommended for technical track operations
- Colorado Drone Chargers is a trusted brand for multi-chargers and simultaneous charging
Charging:
- Never pull a battery off the charger until it's fully charged
- Never leave a charging battery unattended
- Always charge batteries on a fireproof surface
- Colorado Drone Chargers' quad charger can charge four extended life batteries in 45 minutes

Tablet or Phone Control:
- Popular options include iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch
- iPad is flexible but prone to overheating
- Crystal Sky has a built-in hood but overheats and lacks third-party app integration
- iPod Touch is a cost-effective and secure option
Cables:
- Use MFI certified cables for data and power transfer
- Carry a box of cables with different types and lengths
Propellers:
- Carry at least two or three pairs of propellers for redundancy
- Old school propellers are recommended over new quiet props
- High-altitude propellers are necessary for flying above 7,000 ft

ND Filters:
- Polar Pro ND filters are recommended for video shooting
- Use ND4, ND8, or ND16 filters depending on lighting conditions
SD Cards:
- SanDisk 128 Micro SD extreme Pro cards are recommended
- Cards should have a minimum write speed of 95 megabits per second

iFixit Kit:
- A valuable toolkit for drone repair and maintenance
- Includes tools for taking apart an iPhone and binding remotes
Power Bank:
- A mono price battery is a cost-effective option for charging devices
- A 20,000 milliamp battery is recommended for drone operations

Aviation Radio:
- An Icom Aviation radio is recommended for communication in controlled airspace
- A bow Fang radio can be used for team communications
Business Card:
- Always carry a business card for networking and marketing opportunities

Radio and Safety:
- A programmable radio (e.g. Icom Aviation radio and Baofeng radio) is recommended for team communication and legitimacy
- A high-visibility (hi-vis) vest is essential for team legitimacy and safety
- A hi-vis vest with a certificate holder and FAA logo can help avoid authorities' interventions
- Hi-vis vests with pockets are recommended for storing radios, certificates, and other essential items

Authority Perception:
- A hi-vis vest can positively impact authorities' perception and response to drone operators
- People tend to judge others based on appearance, and a hi-vis vest can create a positive impression
- Authorities are becoming more educated on drone regulations, making it easier for drone operators to work without interruptions