Different definitions

Model airplane

An aircraft heavier than air, limited in size, with or without a power plant, and incapable of carrying persons, is required to fly within a visual distance, a visual distance generally not exceeding 500 meters, and a relative altitude not exceeding 120 meters.

drone

An unmanned aerial vehicle operated by a radio remote control device or its own program control device, with no visual distance restrictions, can fly thousands of kilometers away for long distances.

Different composition

Model airplane

By the flight platform, power system, line-of-sight remote control system, the pursuit is the appearance of true or elegant flight, the scientific and technological content is not high. There is no navigation flight control system, and maneuvering and attitude adjustment can only be achieved by remote control of the control hand within the visual range of the control hand. The automatic control of most model aircraft can only achieve automatic return after losing control.

drone

It is composed of flight platform, power system, flight control and navigation system, link system, mission system, ground station, etc., and pursues the task completion capability of the system with higher scientific and technological content. It has a navigation flight control system, which interacts with ground control parameters through a complex central flight control system to control the attitude and maneuver of the aircraft to achieve autonomous flight. It is able to respond intelligently to various situations, requiring task execution, data fusion and task confirmation with ground stations, and requesting the next step.

Different uses

drone

Mainly used in military and special civilian, autonomous flight through the airborne navigation flight control system, upload control commands and transmit mission information through the link system.

Model airplane

It is mainly used to meet the interests of aviation enthusiasts, participate in the international Federation of aviation competition projects, model aircraft enthusiasts exchange research, etc., but also to cultivate players' aviation knowledge and train aviation reserve talents for the country.