Parrot Bebop Flight Plan launches drone on a planned route

The folks at Parrot have launched an in-app purchase for the Bebop drone by the name of Flight Plan. This software allows the drone to follow a map that you've made yourself in the app, rising, falling, and moving in any direction you do so desire. You'll tap out the locations he drone is meant to go, the height at which it's supposed to fly the route you choose, and you'll be good to go.

Once you're in flight, you'll be able to capture footage of your flight via the drone or – if you do so dare – put your phone (or iPad, or tablet) in your backpack or pocket and watch the show. You can take back control of the drone at any time using the app – just in case your planned path doesn't go as planned due to an unforeseen flock of birds.

Flight Plan uses MAVlink open source communication technology to transmit your path to the Parrot Bebop Drone. The plan you set can be adjusted live, making the drone move to new parameters even after it's begun its launch.

FreeFlight 3 (version 3.7) is still available for download for free on Apple's iOS AppStore or through Google Play for android. Flight Plan is available for a one-time fee of $19.99 made via the app.