How to program a drone using Python: A beginner’s guide

If you’re controlling your drone manually with a remote controller, it’s not truly autonomous. And autonomy is what defines a real drone. To unlock true autonomy, you’ll need to pre-program your drone’s flight path. Fortunately, learning how to program a drone using Python is easier than you might expect — especially with the right tools and a little coding background.

Whether you’re building a drone from scratch or experimenting with a simulator, Python gives you access to powerful open-source libraries and APIs to control your drone’s behavior programmatically. Below is everything you need to get started, plus a discount on a top-rated Python drone programming course from Drone Dojo.

Why use Python to program a drone?

Python is a beginner-friendly, widely supported programming language that interfaces easily with drone control software and firmware. Thanks to open-source projects like DroneKit and ArduPilot, you can write scripts that tell your drone to take off, navigate, capture data, and land — without any manual stick input.

Python is also well-suited for projects involving:

• Drone automation and waypoint navigation
• Aerial data collection (like temperature, photos, or LiDAR scans)
• Robotics education and STEM learning
• Drone delivery or swarm coordination simulations

My friend Caleb Berquist, creator of drone training course Drone Dojo, put together a little video explaining it:

What you need to start programming drones with Python

Before writing your first drone control script, you’ll need to understand the three key components that power a drone:

1. Hardware: Includes the drone frame, motors, propellers, flight controller, GPS module, and batteries. If you’re new, consider using a Raspberry Pi drone or a simulator.
2. Firmware: This is the low-level code that interfaces with the hardware. You’ll need something like ArduPilot.
3. Software: This is where your Python code lives. You’ll use DroneKit Python to issue high-level flight commands.

Here’s what you need in more detail:

Step 1: Set up ArduPilot firmware

ArduPilot is one of the most reliable and robust open-source drone firmware platforms. It supports more than 400 command types and is compatible with popular flight controllers such as Pixhawk and Cube Orange.

Benefits of using ArduPilot:

• Widely supported across DIY and commercial drones
• Capable of autonomous takeoff, landing, waypoint following, and mission planning
• Strong community support and documentation

You’ll install ArduPilot onto your drone’s flight controller, either through Mission Planner (Windows) or QGroundControl (cross-platform).

Step 2: Install DroneKit Python

DroneKit Python is an open-source Python library that connects to drones using the MAVLink protocol. With DroneKit, you can write Python scripts to control a drone’s flight, monitor status, and read telemetry data.

Examples of DroneKit Python functions:

• vehicle.simple_takeoff() – Automatically lift off to a target altitude
• vehicle.location.global_relative_frame – Read current GPS location
• vehicle.mode = VehicleMode("LAND") – Command the drone to land

You can use DroneKit in a live setting or with a MAVProxy or SITL (Software In The Loop) simulator to test code before actual flights.

To install DroneKit Python:

bashCopyEditpip install dronekit

You’ll also need to install pymavlink and set up MAVProxy if working with a simulator.

Step 3: Run your first autonomous flight script

Once ArduPilot is running on your drone and DroneKit Python is installed on your computer or Raspberry Pi, you’re ready to write your first flight script. Here’s a basic outline of what a simple takeoff script might look like:

pythonCopyEditfrom dronekit import connect, VehicleMode
import time

# Connect to the vehicle
vehicle = connect('udp:127.0.0.1:14550', wait_ready=True)

# Arm and takeoff
vehicle.mode = VehicleMode("GUIDED")
vehicle.armed = True

while not vehicle.armed:
    time.sleep(1)

vehicle.simple_takeoff(10)  # Take off to 10 meters

# Wait until the drone reaches the altitude
while True:
    if vehicle.location.global_relative_frame.alt >= 9.5:
        break
    time.sleep(1)

vehicle.mode = VehicleMode("LAND")

Tip: Always test your scripts in a simulated environment before flying a real drone to ensure safety.

Optional: Learn with the Drone Dojo Python course

Want hands-on help learning how to program drones using Python? Drone Dojo offers a self-paced online course that goes well beyond basic tutorials. It covers:

• Setting up a Raspberry Pi drone from scratch
• Programming GPS missions and camera controls
• Writing Python code to integrate sensors and custom logic
• Running and debugging DroneKit scripts

The course, which you can access via a $27 per month membership, includes 3.5 hours of instruction and is suitable for coders with basic Python and Linux command-line experience. It’s created by DIY drone-making whiz Caleb Berquist. He’s an engineer by day, but he has an awesome side hustle that can help everyone out. He created Drone Dojo, a site that features how-to, online drone classes ranging from free instructional videos, lengthy text guides and full, multi-hour long virtual courses.

Next steps in learning about Python with drones

Want to learn even more? You should also check out this free guide titled “How to Control a Drone with Python” from the Drone Dojo himself, Caleb Berquist.

And once you know Python, there’s so much more you can do. You can get into creating your own drone delivery service, or building your own drone light show.

Python is one of the most accessible ways to program a drone and automate flight missions. With tools like ArduPilot and DroneKit Python, you can create a powerful DIY drone project — whether you’re a hobbyist, an engineering student, or an aspiring entrepreneur.

By learning how to program a drone using Python, you’ll gain not only technical skills but also the ability to innovate in fields like delivery, agriculture, mapping, and robotics.

The post How to program a drone using Python: A beginner’s guide appeared first on The Drone Girl.