Think of this as a kind of PSA for those looking to get started flying drones. If you’ve never done it before, you’re going to need a starting point and some advice so you don’t end up crashing your new quadcopter into a tree… or a marsh… or a house. That’s where a new book by expert Eric Cheng comes in.

Eric Cheng is an award-winning photographer, technologist and drone expert who spent nearly two years as Director of Aerial Imaging at DJI. He has also flown a camera drone above the Holuhraun volcano eruption in Iceland, which was broadcasted live to over 6 million people on ABC’s Good Morning America. Basically, Eric knows what he’s talking about when it comes to flying drones, and he has released a book that is basically an “Ultimate Guide” to the art of digital imaging from the sky.

The book titled Aerial Photography and Videography Using Drones is a field guide to the craft that includes everything a new pilot needs to know: equipment advice, pilot training, tips about flying and shooting, sample aerial images and the stories behind them, and the complex regulatory environment in the U.S.

Aerial Photography and Videography Using Drones focuses on mainstream manufactured products from established companies, but teaches generic principles that can be applied to all drones. Most discussions use DJI Phantom 3 quadcopters as the example, as well as drones that carry GoPro HERO series action cameras such as 3DR.

Below is an excerpt from his book to give you an example of what it has to offer. For more information, head over to Eric’s book site.