Drones

[CoreyinWP]

Great job...scary with all those trees! Mine does not have any sensors to avoid objects.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Great job...scary with all those trees! Mine does not have any sensors to avoid objects.

I was thinking the same thing. Was kind of waiting for the whacka-whacka-whacka and image blackout, but was pleased it didn't happen. Good job, @Jim.

TJ

 

[Jim]

A good drone can catch all kinds of memorable moments. We have cool video of our outdoor parties, Jeep get togethers, dogs playing in the field, and river crossing adventures. And the neat part is you don't have to be real good at it to turn out wonderful memories!

Here is a short video of the colors in our backyard as fall was approaching this year. Not much drone flying but lots of pretty colors to remember.

Fall Colors at Deer Springs

 

[Buster]

That's one beautiful view from your back yard

 

[Jim]

That's one beautiful view from your back yard

Thank you! We have 50 rural acres, surrounded by thousands of acres of government forest land. So basically, we're all alone out here. Us and nature anyway. But that's fine with us. When we need some civilization we fire up the DP and take off.

 

[Jim]

About a month into my drone escapade, we camped at Shoal Creek Campground in Buford, GA. Early one foggy morning I grabbed my drone and went out to watch the deer. There are literally hundreds of deer walking around the campsites. They've gotten quite tame given the close proximity to humans. Anyhow, while I was out I walked down to the lake and did my first-ever flight over water. (yes, I had gotten prior approval the day before!)

I was scared big-time, but things went well and another milestone was achieved.

Foggy Video Here

 

[Neal]

Jim, I clicked your link and it took me to google drive where permission is required. Consider uploading it to YouTube then keep it private if you want and reply with the link to your video.

 

[Jim]

Jim, I clicked your link and it took me to google drive where permission is required. Consider uploading it to YouTube then keep it private if you want and reply with the link to your video.

Sorry about that Neal. Try it now... The reason I don't use youtube is the compression really kills my 4K videos.

 

[Buster]

Worked for me. It always amazes me how many beautiful places are so close to big cities. I fly a lot for work and have spend the past year and a half flying from Chicago to Las Vegas every other week. Lots of time to look out the plane windows. I have a number of RV routes already planned out just by what I have seen overhead. These drone videos just add to the number of places on my visit list.

 

[Neal]

Sorry about that Neal. Try it now... The reason I don't use youtube is the compression really kills my 4K videos.

Works now with no permission prompt. YouTube should be able to handle the 4K fine. Some great 4K videos on that site.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

yes, I had gotten prior approval the day before!)

Not being a drone flier...at least, not yet...I was interested in your comment regarding "prior approval." What are the legal and moral guidelines for "prior approval" or permission that drone fliers should follow? I do understand not flying in areas where there is a potential to interfere with regular aviation. What else needs to be considered?

TJ

 

[Jim]

In my case, I wasn't sure if the campground was Federally or Personally operated and maintained. So I found the man in charge and simply asked him if it was OK. He said not to fly over people's sites and not to bother anyone. I stayed out over the water and I stayed within the other rules that I'm aware of. I use an app called B4U Fly, and it will tell you if your in a legal area or not. Other things to consider are to not fly higher than 400' and to always keep your drone in view.

Maybe someone else with additional info will chime in?

 

[ARD]

Tips or suggestions would be great!

Make sure the battery is clicked in completely.? I use a battery strap now on my Spark after a wee crash. I was in Montana on Tom Miner's Road (good grizzly viewing) near Emigrant up about a 100 feet getting ready to cross the ravine to view 2 grizzlies and then I saw something drop (aaaargh, my battery) and a second later, down came my drone. I thought for sure it was a goner. I climbed a fence and started wading through the sage brush and miraculously found my drone absent a battery. My victory photo:

 

[CoreyinWP]

Wow, lucky to have found it!
Great tip?

 

[ARD]

What are the legal and moral guidelines for "prior approval" or permission that drone fliers should follow?

More information than you ever wanted to know (lol):

Getting Started

 

[CoreyinWP]

I am grounded for next week...?

 

[Neal]

I'm grounded here too Wonder how well I can play stupid?

 

[Old-RV'er]

I also have Mavic mini as well, now they have released the Mini2, 4K camera, and maybe other stuff. It's windy here a lot, so don't get to fly much, the 2.8 Camera is fine for what I do. Lots of very good instruction videos on YouTube. Channels are Drone Valley, but search for Mavic Mini, and bunch of channels will come up. Happy Flying.

 

[BGMAC]

I have a drone as well for several years, but haven’t flown it much in a while. Remember the need to be registered with the FAA and they will give you a “tail #”. There use to be on line classes as well, but it’s been a while.

The software in the drone would prevent flying over 400ft “unless overridden and prior approval of the FAA”. And your not suppose to fly out of site by law unless prior approval by FAA.

It’s a lot of fun, just be safe.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Well I also bought a cheap drone to start. My guess is it will wander off or I will crash within 6 months. But for <$100 it will give me the skill needed to avoid issues with a more expensive drone like the DJI mini 2. Not going to mention the drone brand as it is a very cheap chinese knockoff, really cheap. But the cost of experience.
I guess I could get a DJI and Drone Insurance to replace a crashed drone.