

Remote-controlled aircraft have been around for ages.

There are a number of products on the market that are sold as drones, but don't quite fit the bill. Most are set to obey these regulations out of the box, but controlling a quadcopter is just like driving a car-even if you missed seeing that speed limit sign, you're still liable to pay the ticket. And, even if you're out in the middle of nowhere, don't take your drone above 400 feet. There are no-fly zones set by the FAA, so don't take off if you're near an airport without notifying the control tower first. If you're flying within the United States, you need to take heed of FAA guidelines-or be prepared to face potential fines or jail time. Some manufacturers offer extended warranties that will replace a lost aircraft, but make sure to read the fine print before buying something like DJI Care Refresh-there are restrictions and fees to consider. Of course, negative experiences are amplified in this context, simply because uneventful flights that don't result in a crash or missing drone aren't hot topics for discussion.

