Before more user-friendly drones came on the market, enthusiasts such as Mr Farhan Tahir, 25, were building and programming their own models.
About six years ago, when he was still a student at ITE College West, he would assemble drones from DIY kits he bought online.
He watched instructional videos on YouTube for advice. After building his drones, he practised flying them in empty fields to fine-tune their movements.
"Drones were very unstable and difficult to programme then," the videographer says.
Without cameras attached, the early drones were more like radio- controlled helicopters - also a passion of his.
These days, his collection of drones is a far cry from those DIY days.
He currently has four off-the-shelf drones - including the DJI S900, which can support the weight of a DSLR camera - and has spent more than $10,000 on them.
The bachelor collects video footage whenever he flies his drones for leisure and sometimes edits the footage.
As an administrator on the Universal Drones Singapore Facebook page, which has more than 5,900 members, he is also part of a network of drone enthusiasts who often take "drone trips" to fly their machines outside of Singapore.
They have gone on day trips to Kuala Lumpur, Batam and Bintan.
Before he visits any place, he does careful research to make sure he does not run afoul of laws and regulations.
"You have to be prepared for extra questioning at customs or by police officers," he says.
"Sometimes, police officers may not even know the regulations in their own country, but it is best to just abide by their interpretation to avoid getting into trouble."
Keep your drone soaring
Mr David Sim, senior lecturer and trainer at Republic Polytechnic's unmanned aerial vehicle centre, gives tips on travelling with drones.
KNOW THE REGULATIONS
Local drone laws are constantly evolving and it is your responsibility to know and abide by them. Not doing so could result in a huge fine or you may be liable for causing injury or damage. You could also have your drone confiscated.
HAND-CARRY YOUR EQUIPMENT
Drones use lithium polymer batteries which need to be hand-carried, according to airline regulations. Invest in a special drone bag to protect your equipment.