How to Explain to Your Partner That You NEED Another Drone: A Relationship Survival Guide

Hello fellow pilotes de drones! I hope this article finds you seated and in good spirits.

Let’s start at the beginning. As I write this article, a live DJ Tiësto set from 2003 plays through my headphones. I don’t know if you’re my contemporary, but something makes me believe you are. Or at least I hope so.

You need another drone? You need another drone!

Well, those who identify with me, raise your hand. Here I am, at 42 years old, enjoying a peaceful Sunday afternoon after lunch, looking at my increasingly small drone collection. Hey, I remember when the excitement of a new DJI drone release had me making flight plans before even unboxing it.

These days, my work tools consist of the DJI Mini 3 Pro, the Neo, and two 5-inch Drones FPV.

But, Rafa…

What happened to the days of the Inspires and Mavic Pros?

Family: that’s what happened. School. College. House. Investments.

The opportunities to stop and smell the roses aren’t what they used to be. Treating yourself to a Neo might go unnoticed, a PlayStation 5 can be disguised, but a Mavic 4 Pro box—not to mention the carrying case for an Inspire 3—isn’t something you can bring home, hide in your office, and claim DJI sent you for testing.

So in this article, I bring you what we pilot/dads who find ourselves needing a new aircraft have long been waiting for: the definitive guide to explaining to your partner

Why having another drone can make you a better person, a better father, AND a better lover.

1. We never stop being children, only the price of our toys changes
   
   Bringing home that new drone allows us to recall moments from our childhood—perhaps birthdays or Christmas—when we excitedly tore through wrapping paper to discover what new toy would fill our hearts with joy.
   
   And a dad with eyes full of excitement to unbox his new toy (and charge the batteries. And update the firmware. And register the drone. And log in. And charge the controller. And land again because we forgot to insert the memory card) is a dad who’ll be in a good mood and 50 to 100 times more likely to spend quality time with his partner.
2. It will help us get better jobs 😉 (We all know this is a lie)
   
   Except our partners. We’ve talked extensively about how it’s not the arrow but the archer, not the drone but the pilot. We’ve even claimed that flying cheaper drones with fewer safety systems and assisted navigation features makes us better pilots.
   
   But for the same reason videographers attach matte boxes to their cameras and build them up to look bigger and more professional to clients, a newer and bigger drone will help us land better jobs. Or at least that’s what we want our partners to believe.
3. Because we deserve it
   
   Work, raising children, relationships, sedentary lifestyle, social media addiction—we carry a heavy burden on our shoulders. What better way to relieve it than by taking some beautiful flights in a hobby that harms no one?

Our secret guide to get what you want

Let’s get to action:

Step one: Take a shower

Step two: Dress comfortably yet elegantly

Step three: Approach your partner and say, “Guess where I’m taking you for dinner?” (this trick has been used since Neanderthal times to immediately discover where Neanderthal women wanted to eat, whether brontosaurus ribs or roasted mammoth)

Step four: She’ll fall into your trap and tell you the place she wants to go

Step five: Order the steak. When asked how you want it cooked, say so rare that a veterinarian could revive it if necessary.

Step six: While eating, stare into the void and talk about how you’ve been feeling disconnected from what you enjoy lately, how you struggle to find yourself, how things you used to like no longer feel the same, and that the only things keeping you going are your partner and, obviously, drones.

Step seven: Casually mention how happy it would make you to try out the latest (Freefly Systems, Autel, Anzu, Skydio, Syma, or DJI)

Step eight: Don’t say another word. Let the silence work its magic.

Step nine: Wait

…this guide works in 24.9% of the cases I’ve personally handled.

For the rest of you mortals who don’t have partners: make the most of it while you can!

What tactics have you used to gift yourself drones while in a relationship? Incorrect answers only, please!