I agree with other posters that the term is problematic, but most popular drone platforms do in fact have automated flight modes - everything from just stabiliz

I agree with other posters that the term is problematic, but most popular drone platforms do in fact have automated flight modes - everything from just stabilized fly-by-wire, to fully automated, GPS-plotted flight, to Return-to-Home when it gets out of range. I know people with multirotor craft that have 5-10km radio range; that should tell you something: at that range there's no way the drone is in sight range, though it is possible (and even common) to have FPV video, but that really doesn't give you the kind of vision needed to avoid all kinds of risks (especially other aircraft, closing at high speed from behind). Fighting the use of the term "drone" is like trying to change the popular use of "hacking". It's too late, and I'm not sure why it really matters. I don't think anyone is really confused when I say I'm flying a drone what I mean - they know it's not an armed Predator.