Based on FAA rules, the NIST standard test methods for small drones, and manufacturer manuals, all linked below. Current as of November 2026. We haven’t run these drills ourselves for this article; it’s a research-based guide, and we’ll add first-hand notes as our own flying progresses.
Quick answer: You get better at flying a drone the same way you get better at anything: short, regular practice sessions with a clear goal. Start with hovering and slow boxes in a big empty field, then add rotation (so the drone faces you), circles, figure-eights, and smooth camera moves. Practice with obstacle sensing and GPS helping you, then learn what the drone does when those helpers aren’t available. A low-cost simulator is a good way to build stick skills in winter or before you buy.
Your first flight is mostly about not crashing. If you haven’t done that yet, start with our first-flight checklist. This guide is the next step: a set of practice drills that build real control, so you can fly smoothly, film better, and handle surprises like wind or a weak GPS signal. The same skills matter if you plan to fly for work later under Part 107.
Before you practice: the legal and safety basics
- Recreational flyers must pass the free TRUST test, register drones of 250 g or more, fly at or below 400 feet in uncontrolled airspace, keep the drone in visual line of sight, and get authorization before flying in controlled airspace near airports (FAA: Recreational Flyers). The full list is in our Drone Rules hub.
- Part 107 pilots must keep visual line of sight (14 CFR 107.31) and follow the rules on flying over people.
- Check where you can fly with a B4UFLY app before every session. See Where Can I Fly My Drone?
- Pick a large, open field with no people, cars, trees or power lines nearby, and a calm day. Wind changes how every drill feels; see drone weather limits.
New to all of this? Start Here puts every step in order.
How to structure a practice session
- Keep it short. One or two batteries focused on one or two drills beats a long session of aimless flying.
- Fly low and close. Most drills work at 10 to 20 feet and within a few dozen yards. That’s how the NIST basic proficiency test is set up, too (more on that below).
- Use your drone’s slowest mode at first. Many camera drones have a slow, smooth mode. On the DJI Mini 4 Pro, for example, Cine mode limits speed for smoother shooting, Normal mode is the default, and Sport mode is faster but turns obstacle sensing off (DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual). Save Sport mode for later.
- Land with margin. End each drill with plenty of battery left, especially in cold weather.
- Write down what went wrong. A one-line note (“drifted left on the box when nose-in”) tells you what to practice next time.
Level 1: Control drills (nose pointing away from you)
These use the default “Mode 2” stick layout found on most consumer drones: left stick for climb/descend and rotate, right stick for forward/back and left/right. Check your manual, because some models and regions default differently.
- Hover and hold. Take off, climb to about eye level a safe distance in front of you, and hover for 30 seconds. Then make tiny corrections to hold the drone over one spot on the ground, as if GPS weren’t helping. Land on a marked spot. Repeat three times.
- Elevator. Climb 10 feet, stop, descend 10 feet, stop. Aim for smooth starts and stops, with no bouncing.
- The box. Fly a square using only the right stick: forward, right, back, left, pausing at each corner. Then do it counterclockwise.
- Box with rotation. Fly the same square, but at each corner rotate (yaw) 90 degrees so the nose always points the way you’re going. This is your first taste of orientation.
Level 2: Orientation drills (the skill that takes longest)
When the drone’s nose points toward you, left and right are reversed from your point of view. Orientation errors are a common cause of beginner crashes, so these drills deserve the most repetition. Keep the drone close and low, with plenty of space around it.
- Nose-in hover. Rotate the drone 180 degrees so it faces you, then hold a steady hover. Make small left and right moves and notice how they feel reversed.
- Side-on passes. Rotate 90 degrees so the drone is side-on to you and fly straight lines left and right across in front of you. Then do the same from the other side.
- Circle. Fly a wide circle around a fixed point (a cone or bag on the ground) with the nose pointing the way you’re flying. That combines forward stick with a little yaw and roll. Do it in both directions.
- Figure-eight. Two connected circles. This is a classic test of coordination because the drone faces every direction during one lap.
Level 3: Camera and “real-world” drills
- Orbit a subject by hand. Point the camera at a fixed object and circle it while keeping it centered in the frame. You’ll be using yaw and roll together, plus small throttle corrections. Automated orbit modes exist on many drones, but learning it manually makes you a better pilot.
- Reveal shot. Start with the camera tilted down or behind an obstacle, then fly slowly forward and up while tilting the camera to “reveal” the scene. Aim for one smooth, continuous move with no jerks.
- Precision landing. Mark a circle about 2 feet across and land in it from different directions. Then try landing with the drone nose-in.
- Return-to-home awareness. At a safe height and close by, trigger return-to-home once so you know how your drone climbs, turns and lands, and how to cancel it. Set the RTH altitude above the tallest obstacle nearby first. Your manual explains your model’s behavior.
Want to turn these skills into better photos and video? See drone photography tips.
Practice for when the helpers aren’t there
GPS position hold and obstacle sensing make modern drones easy to fly, but they don’t always work. The DJI Mini 4 Pro manual, for example, explains that the drone automatically switches to attitude (ATTI) mode when its vision systems are unavailable and the GNSS (GPS) signal is weak or the compass has interference. In ATTI mode it can drift with the wind and won’t hover or brake automatically, and DJI tells pilots to land as soon as possible (DJI Mini 4 Pro User Manual). Obstacle sensing also has blind spots and doesn’t work in every mode or lighting condition. The hover-and-hold drill above, where you make tiny manual corrections, is the best preparation. If your drone drifts unexpectedly:
- Don’t panic or let go of the sticks. Fly it gently back toward you and land in the nearest open, safe spot.
- Avoid flying near buildings, under bridges or among trees while you’re learning. Those are the places where GPS and sensors are most likely to struggle.
- Read the warnings in your app instead of dismissing them.
More: How to Avoid Drone Crashes and How to Calibrate a Drone.
Measure your progress: the NIST basic proficiency test
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) publishes standard test methods for small drone pilots. Its entry-level Basic Proficiency Evaluation for Remote Pilots is built to complement the FAA’s Part 107 written test by checking actual flying skill, which NIST calls “positive aircraft control.” According to NIST’s quick-start guide, the test uses three simple bucket stands made from lumber and buckets, a 50-foot centerline, and a 10-minute time limit. The pilot holds position and rotates, flies straight and level, climbs and descends, moves while rotating, and lands accurately, taking a photo to show each alignment with a target (NIST quick-start trifold; NIST aerial drone tests).
NIST notes that the methods are being standardized through ASTM International and are referenced in NFPA 2400, the standard for public safety drone operations. Many public safety agencies use them to qualify pilots. You don’t need to build the full course to benefit. Setting out three markers in a line and practicing the same moves (hover, 360-degree rotations, climbs, forward/back, sideways passes, accurate landings) against a timer is a structured way to see whether you’re improving.
Practice indoors or in winter: simulators
A simulator lets you crash for free. It’s most useful for building stick skills and orientation, especially for FPV flying. Things to know:
- DJI Virtual Flight is a free DJI app, but DJI stopped maintaining it on March 21, 2024. It works with older DJI FPV gear (such as the DJI FPV Goggles V2, FPV Remote Controller 2 and the original Motion Controller) and not with newer controllers (App Store listing).
- PC FPV simulators on Steam, with US prices checked November 9, 2026: Liftoff: FPV Drone Racing $19.99, The Drone Racing League Simulator $9.99, and Uncrashed: FPV Drone Simulator $14.99 list (on sale for $11.24 that day). Prices change often (Liftoff, DRL Simulator, Uncrashed).
- These need a controller that your computer sees as a USB joystick, such as a hobby radio. Most DJI camera-drone controllers don’t work this way, so check compatibility before you buy. A game controller works for a first try, but its small thumbsticks make smooth throttle control harder.
- FPV simulators feel different from a GPS camera drone, which hovers by itself. They’re excellent for orientation and coordination, but they don’t replace practicing with your own drone.
A simple 4-week practice plan
| Week | Focus | You’re ready to move on when… |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hover and hold, elevator, box (nose away) | You can fly a clean square both ways and land on your mark |
| 2 | Box with rotation, nose-in hover, side-on passes | Nose-in moves no longer make you hesitate |
| 3 | Circles and figure-eights in both directions | You can fly a figure-eight without stopping to think |
| 4 | Manual orbit, reveal shot, precision landings, RTH test | Your footage is smooth and you know what RTH does |
After that, keep practicing on every outing: one warm-up drill before you start filming.
Thinking about flying for money?
Flying skill and the Part 107 test are separate things. The FAA’s knowledge test is about rules, airspace, weather and operations, not stick skills. If paid work is your goal, start with our Part 107 hub, then compare study options in Best Part 107 Courses.
Related guides
- How to Fly a Drone: First-Flight Checklist
- Best Drones for Beginners
- What Is FPV Drone Flying?
- Drone Rules & Registration
