Drones 101: What You Need to Know

Alex Brandon/AP

There are a few things you have to do before taking flight.

Interested in flying your own drone? There are a few things you should know before taking to the skies. Whether you're going to compete in a drone-racing championship, battle to the death during a drone-cage fight, or simply take a few photographs of the landscape, there are some basic rules to follow.

First, make sure to register your machine with the Federal Aviation Administration and then display the unique registration number on your drone.

Users can only fly under 400 feet and must keep their drones at least 5 miles away from airports. Flying in National Parks is also banned.

Some models of drones come with GPS and geo-fencing to help pilots stay inside the lines. Users can also check out the B4UFLY app from FAA to familiarize themselves with the boundaries.

To learn more, check out the video below from CNET