What is the correct way to describe a flying machine, which is remotely controlled or automated?
Having seen some heated debates and discussion on this topic, I wanted to add in a few cents and clarify a couple things. The term Drone, was refined from the sound the first drones made, buzzing, droning around. The official name referred to the flying machine by it’s pilots was a UAV, being Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.
As time went on, and the systems became more advanced and complex in drones, the technology began to develop further. More functions, further distance range, longer battery life, with pilot’s being able to see a live feed from the drone during operation, more fitting names were beginning to be used for these drones, such as RPAS.
RPAS: Remotely Piloted Aircraft System;
Some common official names used for Drones in publications and articles:
- UAS: Unmanned Aerial System
- UAV: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
- RPA: Remotely Piloted Aircraft
- RPV: Remotely Piloted Vehicle
The correct term I dare say, depends on your frame of reference and the answer is relative. Differing world militaries refer to drones with their own terms. Short answer is they are all correct.
As for personal preference, in the community and industry when dealing with people who are in the business, we tend to refer to our drones as RPA’s, but to others whom are not dealing with our equipment on a daily basis or when talking with your general hobbyist, we tend to use Drone.