Who's into Drones

[ChitownStang]

So I just bought my first drone, a DJI Mavic Air. I haven't had a chance to fly it yet because of the record cold in Chicago but may this weekend. Can't wait to get some aerial photos, maybe try tracking the mustang. Anyways, its seems like a fun thing with lots of applications so I figured I should know how to use one.
Anyone else on here use a drone for work or fun?

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[JohnBoyNC]

Someone please move this to Off-Topic.........

This is NOT mustang related.

 

[samd1351]

So I just bought my first drone, a DJI Mavic Air. I haven't had a chance to fly it yet because of the record cold in Chicago but may this weekend. Can't wait to get some aerial photos, maybe try tracking the mustang. Anyways, its seems like a fun thing with lots of applications so I figured I should know how to use one.
Anyone else on here use a drone for work or fun?

I fly a DJI Inspire 1 Pro for work. Once this thread gets moved, I'll post some images and info.

 

[ChitownStang]

Sorry about posting in wrong spot

 

[samd1351]

Like I said, I fly an Inspire 1 Pro for work. I am a licensed sUAS pilot. We usually fly either to get an orthorectified photo and topography, or document construction issues.

It can be a lot fun, but can also be very nerve racking. We were trying to document the condition of a river bank by some high power transmission lines. Our drone was out over the river and we lost the video and data connection. We were still able to control it, but the pucker factor was pretty high.

Be prepared to crash. It's not a matter of if, but when. There is so much involved. We were filming some tree clearing damage and had to change batteries. No problem, we have six. Just as ut started its return to home, realized the RTH preprogrammed height was 300 ft above grade. Problem was, we were flying UNDER the tree canopy. It went up, hit a small limb, and crashed back down into a bush. Just that small crash cracked the gimbal mount. $1600 and 2 weeks later, we were back up in the air.

And sometimes thighs just go wrong and you don't know why. Went to fly a job. Preprogrammed the flight. Drone go up, starts to head off to the start of the flight, and all of a sudden it drops in elevation and hits a concrete silo at 33 mph 150 feet in the air. Needless to say, concrete silo 1, plastic drone 0.

We've had 2 incidents in probably 1000 flights. It happens. I'll try and post some of the pics we've done on Monday when I get back to the office.

Be careful where you fly. We were at the Grabd Canyon and saw a guy get his drone confiscated by park rangers for flying in a no drone zone. Just follow the rules amd laws and it can be a lot fun. Post some pics, would love to see how a Mavic does.

 

[ChitownStang]

Thats a very cool application, and a very expensive Drone to wreck!
I plan on a lot of practice in wide open parking lots to start. I think if you use common sense with where you fly you can stay out of trouble.
I may use mine for work also, I manage a surveillance camera company and sometimes one of my co-workers will fly down the ravine to the beach to see what tools he needs to work on a camera, saves a trip up and down the ravine. Also surveying properties for camera placement is another application for me.
Anyways, Thanks for sharing

 

[samd1351]

It's not really that expensive compared to some of the other survey related drones. Most of those start around 30k. Part of the cost of doing business. We can replace a $3500 drone pretty easy. Some of info collected has generated 10x that in additional work.

 

[ChitownStang]

Yeah, when it’s a tool for work, it’s totally justified. When it’s a hobby, I bet crashes really hurt the wallet and ego! lol

 

[Thatguy]

I have a Phantom 4 Pro. LOVE it!!! It provides a different view of things I see everyday and also a great view of things I wouldn't get to see without it.

Samd - I'm trying to get motivated to study to take the FAA test. I signed up for the Gold Seal course. It seems like a lot of the questions on the test would be for a person who was going to be an actual pilot and not for a drone operator. I know some of it crosses over but it seems like some of it doesn't relate to drones. I can absorb automotive knowledge 24/7 but I'm having a hard time getting motivate with this course. Any words of wisdom?

Thanks!

 

[samd1351]

I have a Phantom 4 Pro. LOVE it!!! It provides a different view of things I see everyday and also a great view of things I wouldn't get to see without it.

Samd - I'm trying to get motivated to study to take the FAA test. I signed up for the Gold Seal course. It seems like a lot of the questions on the test would be for a person who was going to be an actual pilot and not for a drone operator. I know some of it crosses over but it seems like some of it doesn't relate to drones. I can absorb automotive knowledge 24/7 but I'm having a hard time getting motivate with this course. Any words of wisdom?

Thanks!

There are several options for study guides. I used SDRs online study guide when I first took the test. It is\was free (not sure if it's still available, I'll check when I get in the office). For my recurrent exam, I used the Remote Pilot app. It's 5 bucks. Both were great study guides. If you KNOW what is on the study guides, you'll pass no problem.

As far as the exam itself, you have to be able to read the charts. Use the study guides to learn how to read them. If you're a "map guy" the charts aren't too terrible. If you're not into reading and interpreting maps, the charts might be a little difficult.

There aren't a lot of weather, airport, and plane loading questions, but enough you need to study that part. The bulk of the exam is on airspace, the charts, and how not to be a dumbass.

Finally got to the office. I'll get off my phone and on the office 'puter and post some pics.

 

[samd1351]

Here are some pics we've done for work. Just different job sites around town.

 

[ChitownStang]

Great shots that only a drone or helicopter could get!
Here's a link to a video my wife and I did over the weekend at a Lake Michigan beach by our home north of Chicago
I do the flying and she does the editing on Final cut
First time, so there's a lot of room for improvement

 

[samd1351]

That video looks pretty damn good. Awesome view of the lake.

Unfortunately, I can't upload any video. Nice work on yours though.

 

[ChitownStang]

Thanks man
It’s going to be a fun hobby

 

[Thatguy]

There are several options for study guides. I used SDRs online study guide when I first took the test. It is\was free (not sure if it's still available, I'll check when I get in the office). For my recurrent exam, I used the Remote Pilot app. It's 5 bucks. Both were great study guides. If you KNOW what is on the study guides, you'll pass no problem.

As far as the exam itself, you have to be able to read the charts. Use the study guides to learn how to read them. If you're a "map guy" the charts aren't too terrible. If you're not into reading and interpreting maps, the charts might be a little difficult.

There aren't a lot of weather, airport, and plane loading questions, but enough you need to study that part. The bulk of the exam is on airspace, the charts, and how not to be a dumbass.

Finally got to the office. I'll get off my phone and on the office 'puter and post some pics.

Thanks for the info! I'm pretty good with maps and also with weather. Figures there aren't many weather related questions. I'd like to learn the material to know it, not just memorize it for the test. I'm going to dedicate some time each day to work on that. I've turned away a decent amount of work in the last year. I'd like to take the test before Spring so I can turn my hobby into a business.

One of the many pictures I've taken in Newport, RI -

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