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Image of a man working on a tablet that is attached to a pole. He is on a track with grass in the background and a drone is flying in the sky

How Drone Pilots Use Mounted Tablets for Real-Time Flight Monitoring

August 21, 2026

The Evolution of Drones and the Rise of Real-Time Flight Monitoring

Drones have actually been around a lot longer than you think. As far back as World War I, Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were developed by the USA and Britain. The US had the Kettering Bug, an unmanned aerial torpedo that first flew in October 1918, while Britain had an earlier small radio-controlled aircraft, first tested in March 1917.

Although drones were primarily used in the military for years, commercial and hobby drones started to appear in the 1990s. Developed in Japan, these small-scale quadcopter drones, with a four-rotor design, had excellent maneuverability and reliability.

Throughout the 2000s and into the modern day, drones advanced with the addition of cameras and better electronics; some got smaller for hobbyists and others larger for commercial use, with the ability to crop-spray, shoot professional films, and even race.

As drones evolved from simple remote-controlled aircraft into advanced unmanned aerial systems, pilots required more information during flights. Modern drones now transmit live camera feeds for piloting and navigation, along with data such as GPS positioning, battery levels, and other aviation information. Clear, easy-to-read screens, such as those on a tablet, allow the pilot to fly the drone accurately while monitoring other information in real time.

Drone Pilot Jobs and Industries Using Drones

Surveying and Construction Drone Operations

Construction project managers use drones to survey construction sites, inspect construction progress, and conduct safety inspections in hard-to-reach places. They can create high-resolution aerial imagery with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors.

Agriculture and Precision Farming

Farmers have adopted drones as a useful tool in agriculture, using them for precision spraying and crop protection. Not only can they carry up to 50kg of fertilizers and herbicides to treat crops, but they can also spot-treat infected crops and go to places such as wet fields where machinery would damage them.

Public Safety, Search and Rescue, and Emergency Response

Drones have become essential in search-and-rescue efforts, especially after natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. Using thermal imaging equipment, rescue workers can pinpoint people trapped in collapsed buildings and assess the situation from a better angle. Law enforcement also uses drones to track criminals and go into dangerous places without putting officers' lives at risk.

How Professional Drone Operators Use Technology Across Different Industries

While early drones relied on basic controls and fuzzy footage, modern drones are equipped with high-tech systems tailored to each role and razor-sharp cameras with pinpoint accuracy. These businesses and first responders need large tablet screens to view flight data and the FPV (first-person view) feed to navigate the drone.

How Content Creators Use Drones for Video Production

Professional filmmakers and independent content creators have both welcomed drone technology, using it for a range of applications across cinematography and content creation. It lets even small-budget productions look impressive with sweeping shots and aerial photography, while cutting costs in the film industry and freeing up budgets for other areas.

Drones have enabled creators to capture cinematic perspectives that were previously impossible or too expensive, making them important tools in the film and content industries. Travel, tourism, and adventure content has used drones to capture sweeping shots of normally out-of-reach landscapes and tall hotels, while automated drones follow hikers, off-road cyclists, and runners as they traverse mountain trails and wide-open beaches.

Commercial videographers have created high-quality, visually engaging promotional and marketing videos for businesses, helping brands stand out across websites and social media. Traditional wedding photographers have also incorporated drone filming into their business, offering dramatic videos for wedding couples to remember.

For social media influencers (TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube creators), drones have become an indispensable tool for everyday storytelling and increasing online engagement.

Whether filming a remote landscape, a wedding venue, or a commercial production, drone operators need equipment that can adapt to different environments. Tablet mounts attached to controllers, vehicles, or portable workstations give creators a stable viewing platform wherever they are filming.

Why Stable Tablet Mounts Improve Drone Pilot Performance

Using a tablet mount, whether attached to your drone controller or in a vehicle, boat, workstation, or other mobile setup, allows pilots to view accurate data on the tablet and navigate the drone safely and efficiently while maintaining full awareness of their surroundings.

Benefits of Using a Tablet Mount for Drone Operations

  • Improved Visibility: Larger tablet screens make it easier for drone pilots to view the FPV feed while keeping an eye on GPS data, flight paths, and other essential information, whether for content creation or commercial use.
  • Hands-Free Operation: A secure mount, whether attached to the controller or the vehicle's dashboard, keeps the tablet positioned in front of the pilot's line of sight, allowing them to keep both hands on the controller and focus on flying. This is especially important in critical situations such as search and rescue.
  • Better Focus and Safety: Secure tablet mounts mean the drone pilot doesn't need to look down or adjust their device during flight, reducing distractions and improving situational awareness.
  • More Comfortable Long Flights: Adjustable tablet mounting systems provide pilots with greater comfort during long flights, reducing the risk of neck strain, fatigue, and other injuries. This could be during a long film shoot or while working across several fields spraying crops.
  • Improved Accuracy for Professional Work: Whether inspecting a newly constructed building or a wind farm, a professional tablet mounting system lets pilots inspect data and map areas more accurately.
  • Reliable Performance Outdoors: A solid tablet mount supports devices during wind, movement, and other vibrations when flying a drone in challenging outdoor environments where stability and visibility are critical.
  • Professional Setup: A mounted tablet creates a cleaner, more organized workspace for commercial pilots, film crews, and content creators while presenting a professional setup to potential new clients.

Types of Mounting Systems for Drone Pilots

Depending on your drone setup, the best tablet mount for flying will vary. Clamp mounting systems are better for mobile drone pilots, whereas fixed mounting systems may be better for farmers or construction managers.

Clamp-On Mounts for Quick and Secure Installation

Clamping systems attach securely to your controller, letting you easily maneuver it into the best position to pilot your drone. Tablet holders with clamps, such as the Slim-GripĀ® Tablet Clamp Mount with Dual Shafts, feature a strong clamp that opens up to 2.15", while the shaft is adjustable and the spring-loaded tablet holder securely holds the tablet so the operator can easily view it.

Other clamping systems, such as the LockViseā„¢ Locking Tablet Clamp Mount, feature a locking tablet holder that keeps the tablet securely in place while out in the field. For larger controllers, the Slim-GripĀ® Ultra Pro POS Tablet Mount with 4" Arm comes with a C-clamp that opens up to 3".

If your controller doesn't have the option to attach a clamp, you can instead use the clamp to attach it to a pole, post, car or truck frame, workbench, or even a tree branch when you're outdoors.

Adjustable Arm Mounts for Better Viewing Angles

For ultimate adjustability, a multi-angle or gooseneck arm is an excellent way to position the tablet so it's in the pilot's eyeline. The LockViseā„¢ POS Locking Tablet Holder with 12" Gooseneck is fully adjustable while remaining securely in place after being positioned.

The LockViseā„¢ Locking Tablet Mount with Multi-Angle Arm includes a locking tablet holder and a multi-angle arm that can be fixed to a flat surface with a drill base, while the arm adjusts into position for an excellent FPV view.

Quick-Release Mounts for Flexible Setup

Sometimes, such as at weddings or while filming content, you need a setup that can be deployed quickly while everything around you is moving. Using a clamping system attached to a post or branch, or a weighted base placed on a workstation or even a truck hood, such as the Slim-GripĀ® Ultra Pro POS Tablet Stand, creates a fast, flexible setup.

The spring-loaded tablet holders let you quickly install and remove your tablet. If you're working at a wedding or another event that requires precise timing, the ability to swap tablets quickly if there is an issue, such as the battery running out, is essential.

Universal Tablet Mounts for Different Devices

ARKON Mounts uses a modular system across its products, meaning the components are interchangeable. If you're upgrading from using a smartphone to a tablet for flying your drone, you can simply change the holder without buying an entirely new setup. Base units are also available with just the base and arm, allowing you to choose your preferred tablet holder, such as the popular Slim-GripĀ® Ultra Pro Universal Tablet Holder.

There are also locking tablet holders in the ARKON Mounts LockViseā„¢ series, such as the LockViseā„¢ Metal XL Locking Tablet Holder, which can be secured with a key and is made of aluminum for demanding environments such as construction sites and fieldwork.

Other Mount Solutions for Drone Workflows

Workstation Mounts for Professional Drone Operations

For those working in construction, agriculture, or fieldwork, a workstation tablet holder fixed to a flat surface provides a stable platform for work during and after flying. This could include planning missions, reviewing flight data, and monitoring aerial imagery before and after each flight.

Mounting systems like the Slim-GripĀ® Ultra Pro Tablet Holder with Multi-Angle Arm feature a drill base that screws directly into a workstation, mobile desk, or even a service truck's dashboard, allowing you to pilot a drone from the comfort of your truck. This is ideal for field service technicians working in remote areas and on tall structures such as wind turbines or communication equipment.

Streamer and Content Creator Mounts for Live Production

In addition to using tablets to fly drones, content creators often use tablet mounts as part of their filming setup, creating a hands-free workspace for tasks such as social media, scripts, shot lists, and other camera work.

Content mounting systems such as the Remarkable Creatorā„¢ Pro+Plus Mount and TW Broadcaster TriStreamer Slim-GripĀ® Tablet Countertop Stand can hold several devices, allowing content creators to pilot their drones and check social media at the same time.

Why Stable Tablet Mounts Matter During Drone Flights

  • Keeps Your Tablet Secure: A stable tablet mount keeps your device securely in place, preventing it from slipping, shifting, or, at worst, falling while you fly your drone.
  • Reduces Movement and Vibration: Professional mounts minimize the effects of vibration or vehicle movement on uneven terrain. This makes it easier to view the tablet without distraction.
  • Maintains a Consistent Viewing Angle: A tablet in a fixed position means you don't have to constantly adjust your device, allowing you to focus on piloting the drone rather than repositioning your screen.
  • Improves Performance in Outdoor Conditions: Whether working on construction sites, in windy locations, or in remote outdoor environments, a stable tablet mount keeps important flight information visible and accessible throughout the flight.

Mounted Tablets Are Becoming Essential Drone Equipment

Beyond recreational use, drones are now professional tools across many industries, including construction, inspection, agriculture, filmmaking, emergency response, and content creation. Having a stable tablet is crucial for flying, whether it's clamped to your controller or fixed to a workstation.

Whether youā€™re a commercial drone pilot, filmmaker, content creator, or hobby enthusiast, having the right mounting system helps you focus on the job ahead. Explore ARKON Mountsā€™ range of secure tablet and device mounting systems designed for drone operations, vehicles, workstations, and mobile setups.

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