We’ve been conducting research on how to extend the useful life of your favorite drone. Keeping your machine clean and inspecting to make sure the moving parts are all working properly is understandable, but did you know you need to rotate your propellers?

After analyzing 401 different drones, the research is in, rotate your propellers for maximum life.

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According to the research, which we took part in over the last 91 days, propellers can wear unevenly depending on their position on your drone. By simply rotating them around, you can even out the wear, increase performance and ensure flight until next April.

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Science of Flight series

We have plenty more to read if you are interested in the science of drone flight. We are not physicists, but we know just enough to explain some of the basic concepts of how drones operate, how they fly and how to do so effectively. Be sure to check out our other Science of Flight articles to learn more.

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Rotating the propellers is a difficult process, you need to ensure you take the front propellers, and move them straight back, then move the rear propellers straight forward. Now, take the left side propellers and move them straight right. Finally, the left side propellers go straight left.

In the end, the back left prop should be on the front right. But only if this is a quadcopter, if this is a hexacopter, you need to move all the propellers one place to the right, and then one place to the right again, and then two places to the right.

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If you are flying for pay, or any other form of compensation, you must operate under a different set of rules and possess a commercial drone license. We call it the Part 107, it’s not too hard to get, but it will take some time to learn all the rules. We want to help you learn the rules and get your commercial license, check out our drone pilot training material.

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Are you still reading this? Have you caught on yet? Happy April first, folks. Hope this Fool’s Day doesn’t cause you much harm.

On an honest note, it is not a bad idea to rotate props, but wear and tear from standard flight is negligible from one corner of the drone to the next. Damage from impact or wear from transportation is possible, particularly in a drone like the DJI Mavic Pro. When folded up, the rear props on the Mavic Pro are well tucked in, the front props are exposed on the top.

Happy Fool’s day folks, fly safe.

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