Droning on ... Australian retailers predict drones, like this model from Parrot, will be popular this Christmas. Source: Supplied

Prices of drones have sharply fallen by hundreds of dollars, and advanced models, which will follow you around like a shadow capturing video, are poised for release in time for Christmas shopping.

Aviation safety bosses though warn amateur pilots to familiarise themselves with the nation’s drone-flying rules to avoid injuries and fines of up to $8500.

Confident call six months from Christmas ... retailers predict drones, like this model from Parrot, will be this year’s hit present on December 25. Source: Supplied

Consumer-friendly drones first flew on to store shelves in 2010 but have since spiked in popularity, with leading maker Parrot recently revealing it had sold more than 1.5 million unmanned flying vehicles.

The small, remotely controlled aircraft can be flown high in the air, often capturing video from a built-in camera or an attached smartphone below its propellers.

Harvey Norman marketing manager Tim Muller said the technology would be a big seller this Christmas, thanks to new advances in technology and falling prices.

“We are seeing a huge increase in the demand from consumers for drones,” Mr Muller said. “Anecdotally, demand is significantly growing not just in the drones for kids (category) but also in the hobbyist and higher end (categories). Consumers are excited at the quality and advanced technology that is now available at more accessible price points.”

A newly released drone from Kaiser Baas, for example, launched in stores for $199 — a significant discount from the first Parrot drone that launched in Australia with a $349 price tag.

Unmanned aircraft ... Victorian paramedic Robin Lowe has developed a prototype drone that he says could be used to revolutionise surf and rescue operations. The gadget can be launched and deploy flotation devices. Picture: Jake Nowakowski Source: News Corp Australia

Mr Muller said an upcoming drone from 3DR, due for release in Australia this August, would feature a “follow me” function that would see it automatically follow and film its user as they travelled, as well as a “one-button takeoff” function.

Kristen Trappett, managing director of tech accessory firm Cellnet, said the drone market was growing in Australia, and continued price falls would cement its place in consumers’ hearts.

“Once we get to a point where they have a $400 to $450 price point, I think they could take over from GoPro,” she said. “We’ve definitely got an eye on it.”

Telsyte research director Foad Fadaghi said the lower prices could make for a Christmas drone boom, with a “magic price point for the gifting season at $200 to $300,”. though he warned they would have to compete with wearable technology and virtual reality headsets.

In addition to competing with other technology for your Christmas dollars, drones will come with warnings.

Will come with warnings ... Drones will be a hot item this Christmas and its amazing images will be sent across social media like never before. Source: Supplied

Civil Aviation and Safety Authority spokesman Peter Gibson said Australia was the first country to regulate “remotely piloted aircraft” and the Authority was working with drone makers and retailers to include a list of flight rules with every purchase.

Mr Gibson said ignoring the rules, which ban flying drones over crowds or flying them higher than 140m in the air, could lead to serious injury.

“A woman in Geraldton a couple of years ago was hit while she was finishing a (triathlon) race,” he said. “She was lucky not to be seriously injured but she had cuts to the back of her head.

“There are safety issues there and we just have to manage them appropriately. At the end of the day, we do not want to stop people having fun with their drones.”

Recent drone incidents have seen singer Enrique Iglesias sustain serious finger injuries after catching a drone at one of his concerts in Mexico, and a Melbourne man fined for flying a drone over a police operation and crashing it into a power line.

Mr Gibson said court-ordered fines for inappropriate drone use could reach $8500, and recommended amateur pilots employ “common sense” in flight.

DRONES DOS AND DON’TS

— Do keep drones in your line of sight

— Do fly drones only in daylight hours

— Do not fly drones less than 30m from people, boats, vehicles or buildings

— Do not fly drones higher than 140m

— Do not fly drones over populated areas

— Do not fly drones within 5.5km of airfields

— Do get an unmanned operator’s certificate for commercial drone use

— Do be aware that court-ordered penalties for drone misuse can reach $8500

Source: Civil Aviation and Safety Authority

DRONES GONE WRONG

— Singer Enrique Igelsias sustained a serious hand injury when he caught a drone at concert in Mexico. The star suffered a fracture in the accident and will need reconstructive surgery.

— An operator was fined $850 after flying a drone over a police operation in Altona, Melbourne, last year. The drone hit a power line and almost landed on a police officer.

— A Geraldton, WA, marathon runner received cuts to the back of her head when a drone fell on her after experiencing radio interference. The drone operator was fined $1700.

— A north Queensland man received an $850 fine for flying his drone over populated areas at an unsafe height. CASA fined the man based on YouTube videos taken from the drone.