So You Want to Fly a Drone?
Getting into drones does not have to be expensive or complicated. Whether you are buying a gift for a child, looking for a weekend hobby, or just curious about what all the fuss is about, there is a cheap drone out there that is perfect for where you are right now.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know before you spend a cent — what types of drones exist, which ones suit beginners, what to look for when buying, and what the rules are in Australia.
Types of Drones and What They Are Good For
RC Helicopters are traditional-style aircraft with one big rotor on top and a small tail rotor. They are great for indoor flying because they hover in place easily and move predictably. The cheaper ones use infrared control (like a TV remote), which works well indoors but poorly outdoors or in sunlight.
RC Airplanes need forward speed to generate lift, so they require more space — a park, oval, or open field. They are more challenging to fly than helicopters but incredibly satisfying once you get the hang of it. Many beginner models include a gyroscope that automatically corrects the plane if it tips too far.
FPV Drones are the fast, agile quad-rotor aircraft you see tearing through race courses or filming sweeping landscape shots. They are the most difficult to fly and the most expensive to buy and repair, but the experience of flying in first-person view is unlike anything else.
What to Look For as a Beginner
Gyroscope stabilisation is your best friend. A gyro constantly measures the orientation of the aircraft and makes tiny corrections to keep it flying straight and level. Almost every beginner model includes one, but make sure it is listed before you buy.
Altitude hold (also called barometric hold or auto-hover) locks the aircraft at a set height so you only need to control direction, not up and down simultaneously. This makes learning significantly easier.
Durable construction matters because you will crash — everyone does when learning. EPP foam, flexible ABS plastic, and alloy frames all handle impacts far better than brittle hard plastic.
USB charging is convenient because you can charge from a power bank, laptop, or wall adapter without carrying a specialised charger everywhere.
Flying Rules in Australia
CASA (the Civil Aviation Safety Authority) regulates all drone flying in Australia. The basic rules for recreational flyers are straightforward: fly below 120 metres, keep the aircraft within visual line of sight, stay at least 30 metres away from people, and do not fly over or near aerodromes.
Drones under 250 grams are generally lower-risk and fall into a lighter regulatory category, which is one reason so many beginner models are designed to stay under that weight threshold.
Always check the CASA website for current rules before your first flight.
Our Top Picks for Beginners
For indoor helicopter flying, the Syma S107H is our top recommendation — it is cheap, durable, and has altitude hold built in. For outdoor fixed-wing flying, the VolantexRC Mini Mustang is purpose-built for beginners and looks fantastic while you are learning.
Browse our top helicopter picks and top airplane picks for ranked recommendations across every budget.