3DR Solo User Manual - 3  Safety

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3  Safety

The following best practices will help ensure safe, successful flights and help reduce the risk of accident and serious 

injury. Always fly under adult supervision and with your full attention at all times. Do not fly under the influence 

of drugs or alcohol or when your ability to operate Solo safely is impaired. Use common sense to avoid unsafe 

situations and always operate Solo responsibly.

3.1  Location

Don’t fly Solo indoors. Always fly outside in clear, open areas at a safe distance from yourself, other people, power 

lines, animals, vehicles, trees, and buildings. When flying in areas with potential hazards, maintain 100 feet (30 m) 

from any people, vehicles, or structures. As the operator, you are responsible for navigating Solo to avoid obstacles, 

including during Smart Shots. 

Don’t fly within 5 miles of an airport or within any airspace restricted by your local, state, or national airspace 

authority. As the operator, you are responsible for knowing and understanding the regulations that govern small 

unmanned aircraft like Solo in your jurisdiction.

3.2  Environmental Awareness

Don’t fly Solo in extreme conditions such as rain, high winds, snow, or fog. Extreme weather conditions can 

permanently damage Solo, cause instability in flight, or limit visibility.

Before flying, determine the boundaries of the safe flying area at your location. Be aware of any risks, including 

bodies of water, structures, trees, power lines, etc, and designate a few areas where you can land Solo in case of 

an unsafe situation. Throughout your flight, be prepared to recover Solo manually or use an emergency procedure if 

Solo flies outside the safe flying area. 

3.3  Visual Line of Sight

Always fly Solo within your visual line of sight. Don’t let Solo get so far away from you that you cannot see its 

orientation or so that any physical obstructions block your view of Solo.

3.4  Flight School

If you’re new to flying, review the video tutorials in the Flight School area of the app before your first flight. Flight 

School provides useful tips for learning to operate Solo safely and correctly.

Figure 3.4.5.1: App Flight School

Read and understand these important safety instructions before your 

first flight to help reduce the risk of accident and serious injury.

Physical obstructions can also block communication signals with the controller, 

causing Solo to attempt to Return Home along an obstructed path