We are used to seeing more and more drones of different types, sizes, shapes, colors… Therefore, it is logical to ask when a drone ceases to be a «toy» and is considered an aircraft.
The short and simple answer is that all drones are airplanes. Always.
According to the International Civil Aviation Organization, an aircraft is «any machine capable of moving in the atmosphere by means of air reaction other than air reaction on the earth’s surface».
So it’s clear that anything from the most sophisticated military drone to the mini drone you might find in your neighborhood toy store falls under the category of aircraft.
In fact, the word «drone» is a colloquial meaning derived from the English «drone», which these devices attribute to their special buzzing. However, the technical term for a drone is RPAS: Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, or the same thing: Remotely Piloted Aircraft System.
So, in case there’s any doubt, yes: a drone is essentially an airplane.
In the world of airplanes we can also find two big classes:
- Aerodyne: Aircraft whose weight exceeds the weight of the air that flies through it. In turn, they can be:
- Fixed wing (as in airplanes)
- Rotary wings (helicopters, multirotors, etc.)
- Balloons that fly due to lower air density (eg airships, balloons, etc.).
Note that any of these types of aircraft can be controlled remotely, so the drone does not have to be in the form of the well-known quadcopters: a giant airship would also be a drone if its pilot control it remotely.
In any case, it should be remembered that all remote controlled aircraft are drones, so their use will be subject to the laws that apply in each case, and it is always important to handle them with care, responsibility and taking appropriate safety precautions.
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