Don't Lose Your Drone: Tips And Tricks From Aviation Experts

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Drones were a hot holiday item this year, but people who have no training with them are losing or breaking their expensive new toys.

Ray Soares, of New Rochelle, took his two daughters out to fly their new drones at a local school -- but it didn't work out very well.

"We get them up in the air, and next thing we know they're about 50 feet high and blowing over the tree line back there," Soares told CBS2's Brian Conybeare.

They lost one of their two $40 remote-control drones in minutes.

"I knew something was going to happen to it because it's so light the wind could just take it," Sofia Soares, 6, said.

Fred Penichet is the president o f the Miniature Aircraft Association of Westchester, and said people have to be careful.

A new law requires you to register your drone with the FAA if it ways more than half a pound.

Meanwhile, Penichet recommends:
-Attach contact information such as your name and phone number if it gets lost.
-Join a local radio control club -- which can help you get pilot training either online or in person.
-Use legally sanctioned locations for flying.

"Most of these things are relatively safe, although we still recommend that you find someone who can tell you how to fly it," Penichet said.