Recently, someone has been sentenced for manipulating drones without authorization. It's a bit questionable that drones and aircraft models feel similar. Are they the same thing?
A drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle operated by radio remote control equipment or its own program control device. It does not require the pilot to fly inside the aircraft, but is carried out using remote control or autopilot technology.
An aviation model is a type of aircraft that is heavier than air, has size limitations, and can be remotely controlled, unable to carry passengers. Generally, it can be divided into free flight, line control, radio remote control, etc.
Although both drones and aircraft models are unmanned aerial vehicles, there are still differences between the two.
Task payload
The drone mission payload is an important component of the drone system, which achieves its target mission by loading various different payloads.
In terms of remote control, due to differences in remote indicators, drones may automatically default to the global range, while the aircraft model is within a visual range or a radius of a few kilometers.
In terms of automatic control, drones can intelligently respond to various situations, requiring task execution, data fusion and task confirmation with ground stations, and requiring the next step of operation. However, most aircraft models can only achieve automatic return after losing control.
However, for experienced aircraft model enthusiasts, as long as effective mission "payload" is installed and controlled, the aircraft model is fully capable of playing the role of a drone.
This is not a fantasy. Ardupilot is a famous DIY UAV project. In the auto drive system developed using Arduino platform, people can really operate UAVs. And Amazon, SF Express, and others have all tested the drone express delivery business.
Different purposes and purposes
Early drones were mostly used for warfare and military missions. With the development of technology, their civilian applications have become increasingly widespread, such as forest fire prevention, border control and smuggling, highway patrols, and mineral exploration.
Aircraft models often focus on aviation model sports, participate in International Aeronautical Federation competition projects, exchange and research among aviation model enthusiasts, and other aspects.
Flight control system
Unmanned aerial vehicles can operate autonomously and fly beyond the line of sight. Through a complex central flight control system, they interact with ground control parameters to control the aircraft's attitude and maneuverability, which is a program control.
Although the aircraft model is also unmanned, it is remotely controlled by the controller to achieve maneuvering and attitude adjustment within the visual range of the controller.
However, in some high-end aircraft model systems nowadays, intelligent operations such as automatic homing function and beyond the line of sight flight can also be achieved. At present, due to the limitations of the development level of artificial intelligence, drones and aircraft models are unable to get rid of their dependence on humans.
security management 
At present, China's aircraft models are mainly managed by the Aviation Sports Management Center under the State Sports Commission, and UAVs are managed by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
Although the relevant policies and responsibility subjects of model aviation management have been clarified, the lack of a clear definition of model aviation and UAV makes the responsibilities between the Civil Aviation Administration and the Sport management not very clear.
In the United States, where civil aviation safety management is relatively complete, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classifies UAVs into three categories: UAVs as public aircraft; UAV as a civil aircraft; And drones as model planes.
A model aircraft that meets the following conditions is not classified as a drone under the United States Act:
Having the ability to fly continuously in the atmosphere;
Airplanes are operated purely for entertainment or hobby purposes;
Operate within the operator's line of sight;
The model aircraft must notify the airport and air traffic tower when flying within five miles of the airport;
The model aircraft shall not obstruct the operation of manned aircraft.
Only by meeting these five requirements can it be proven that it does not belong to a drone, thereby exempting the FAA from the approval of future drone airworthiness regulations.