DRONES
“Even small drones can cause big problems for airports and aircraft. It’s important that users understand the risk associated with flying them, and learn the rules of responsible use for the safety and security of the entire community.”
Mark Laroche,
President and CEO, Ottawa International Airport Authority
What is a Drone? A Historical and Technical Overview
A drone is a general term for unmanned vehicles that can be either remotely controlled or operate autonomously using onboard software and sensors.
Drones come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, from small racing models used for recreational purposes to large military-grade aircraft designed for critical operations. Advanced combat drones are used for surveillance, reconnaissance, cargo delivery, precision strikes, and even medical evacuation in conflict zones.
The origin of the word “Drone”
The English term “drone” (meaning “male bee”) was first associated with unmanned aircraft in 1933, when British engineers attempted to repurpose decommissioned Tiger Moth training planes into remotely controlled military aircraft.
In an effort to give them a distinctive name, the engineers called them Queen Bee — a reference to the hierarchy in a beehive. However, due to their slow speed and limited functionality, these aircraft were soon compared to male bees (drones), which are known for their lack of independent work in the hive. The nickname stuck, and soon all unmanned aircraft became known as “drones.”
Another widely used term, “copter,” originates from the word “helicopter” and is commonly used to describe multirotor drones (quadcopters, hexacopters, etc.) in modern aviation.
This historical background highlights how drones evolved from experimental military aircraft into one of the most versatile technologies used today in civilian, industrial, and defense applications.
If you are interested in the history of drones, check out this detailed article from Vintage Wings of Canada: The Mother of All Drones.
The Science Behind How Drones Fly
Drones rely on a combination of software, sensors, and aerodynamics in a quest to stabilize and move through its environment. As in a helicopter, it generates lift with a number of whirling rotors, and with them, can go in any direction, rise, and suspend in position. In a quest to level and stabilize its position, an inbuilt accelerometer and a gyroscope have been incorporated in most modern drones, and these make continuous compensatory actions in relation to motion and external factors such as wind. Most modern-day drones utilize GPS, and with it, can maintain a path, track location, and fly back to a predetermined location with accuracy. Higher-classed drones utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and programmed routes, and with them, can fly with no intervention, and can therefore utilize them for mapping, observation, and delivery automation.
Types of Drones
Drones are not necessarily machines that fly; they can have many forms, and each one is designed for a specific environment and purpose. Most well-known is the fly-by, alternatively an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Photography, spying, delivery, and search and rescue operations have most common and prevalent use of drones with a camera, GPS, and high-tech stabilizer, and an UAV can fly remotely or fly alone.
Beyond the atmosphere, ground drones, or unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), function in terra firma. Industries such as defense, agricultural, and even outer-space exploration make use of such robotic platforms. Robotic rovers and autonomous cars, for example, such as those in use in Mars, represent UGVs. Some UGVs have AI-guided navigation, and thus, can function alone in hostile environments.
Beneath the ocean, underwater robots, or unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), map deep ocean environments out of humanity’s grasp. Under remotely operated, autonomous, and even robotic submarine forms, UUVs function for oceanography, underwater mining, and spying for the military. As UUVs can function in extreme environments and capture high-definition photographs, UUVs have become valuable tools in scientific and commercial applications.
Finally, surface drones, or unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), function in water. Autonomously, remotely operated, and even crewed at times, these are utilized for environment observation, oceanography, and even security patrols. With sensors that can map ocean current, locate pollution, and assist in search and rescue, USVs become a staple in modern marine operations.
While aerial drones receive most of the spotlight, the universe of drones stretches out over land, sea, and even outer space, with technology ever-changing to make them even more capable.
A Brief History of Drones
Ancient flying machines
- Chinese War Kites (500 B.C.) – Used for military spying
- Leonardo da Vinci’s Flying Machine (1495) – A visionary concept for human flight
- World War I & II: The first pilotless aircraft were used for training and reconnaissance
- 1950s–1990s: The military developed remote-controlled reconnaissance drones
- Consumer drones revolutionized photography, filmmaking, and recreation
- Companies like Amazon and Zipline began testing drone deliveries
- Search-and-rescue teams use drones to find missing persons
Fun Facts About Drones
- The fastest drone ever recorded reached 480.23 km/h (as of June 2024)
- Drones have explored volcanoes, hurricanes, and even the Arctic!
- Some drones are used for medical deliveries in remote areas
- NASA is developing drone technology for Mars exploration
Drones & the Law: What You Need to Know
In Canada, drones are regulated by Transport Canada. Here are the key rules:
Do I need a license?
- Yes, for drones over 250g.
- You need either a Basic or Advanced Pilot Certificate.
Where can I fly?
- Recreational drones must stay away from airports, crowds, and private property.
Learn more: Visit Transport Canada’s Drone Regulations.
How to Get Started with Drones
Want to explore drones? Here’s how to begin:
- Buy a beginner-friendly drone.
- Learn from online courses & tutorials.
- Know the RULES!
- Practice in an open field before flying in urban areas.
The Future of Drones
Drones are transforming at a breakneck pace, changing transportation, security, and even space exploration in years to come. With artificial intelligence, humans can build autonomous drones, capable of traveling through complex spaces with no intervention at all. In times of urgency, disaster and medical delivery drones are being dispatched with life-saving items to remote and perilous places. Cities all over the planet are in the meanwhile testing urban air options, such as taxi drones, that could revolutionize transportation, cutting down crowded streets and offering a speedy, efficient, and safer alternative for moving about. With technology, industries will continue transforming and redefining our relationship with the planet.
Drones are more than flying machines — they represent the fusion of technology, creativity, and human ingenuity. Whether exploring distant planets or delivering life-saving medicine, drones are shaping the future of our world.