Rust Drone
Image via Facepunch Studios

How to Fly a Drone in Rust

Take to the skies from the comfort of your unraidable base...right?

While most players will never leave the primitive stage of using a bow and arrow to make a sweet play against a brand-new player on the beach, some solo players and zergs will wind up with advanced technology, like a drone. Here is how to fly a drone in Rust!

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How to Fly Drones in Rust

To successfully fly a drone in Rust, you must first install a CCTV Camera Coding System, a unique setup requiring electricity, CCTV, and a Computer Station to control the entire operation. It’s complex and considered a late-game setup.

Once you have the inner workings in place and functional inside your base, well away from prying eyes, you’ll want to place the drone on a flat surface, then hold down “e” on the drone itself to customize the name. By changing the name, you can access the drone’s video feed via the Computer Station.

As of this writing, the drone only offers a travel distance of around 250 meters, approximately 2 square tiles on the map. It’s not much. But once the drone is fully deployed and you have visuals, use the following controls to pilot:

  • Ascend – Left Shift
  • Descend – Left Ctrl
  • Forward – W
  • Backward – S
  • Left – D
  • Right – A

Overall, the controls aren’t complicated. They’re just like moving on foot or flying a helicopter.

How to Get a Drone in Rust

To get a drone in Rust, you’ll likely want a group to help you farm, build a base, and install electricity without fear of any nearby neighbor raiding you. Once safe and secure, craft a Level 2 Workbench, acquire 500 Scrap, and research the drone. You can find one in a high-tier crate, like a military crate; otherwise, you can research one from the Tech Tree for 750 Scrap.

Once you have unlocked the drone, you can craft one at the Workbench for:

  • x200 Metal Fragments
  • x2 Tech Trash
  • x1 CCTV Camera

If you can spare the Scrap and require surveillance in the sky immediately, then spending the extra time researching the drone from the Tech Tree proves worthwhile. Otherwise, keep on farming monuments!


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About the Author

Brandon Morgan

Brandon began writing in 2012, for websites such as OnlySP, before transitioning to digital marketing in 2016 to learn the ins and outs of SEO. In mid-2023, Brandon returned to write strategy guides for Prima Games, IGN, DualShockers, and more, with a focus on ARPGs, RPGs, and Survival games. His past coverage includes Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, Starfield, Skull and Bones, and many more!