DJI Quad Copter Video - middle of major Fireworks Display

[Rusty Heap]

DJI phantom Quad Copter flying through the middle of a big time show Fireworks display.


way cool, new perspective on the bigger shell bursts.



Thanks DJI Pilot for putting your quad in the line of fire.






https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9KZ3jgbbmI#t=50

[widgeon13]

Reminds me of willie pete.

[cstreit]

WOW. I'd love to see that in 3D HiDef!

[porsche4life]

Very cool video! And I'd like to see the aftermath, how many burn marks on that copter?

[PeteT]

That is awesome!

[rusnak]

I don't know how the guy saw the copter that far up at night. They get really hard to see, and the version he flew doesn't have POV unless you add it on.

[nostatic]

Per new FAA interpretation that flight would be illegal - http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-06-25/pdf/2014-14948.pdf

You can either fly FPV or by waypoints and get that kind of footage but have to add those capabilities. We're doing tests with automated still capture for photogrammetry of terrain, but we do it on a military base where we've got the range officer with us. That said, two Blackhawks came out of nowhere and almost tangled with our bird. For that project we have to fly beyond LOS.

The gov is going to start cracking down hard, and it will intensify once yo-yos start crashing them into people and property and doing some real damage. By 2015 they'll be regulated heavily and only outlaws will have drones...

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Per new FAA interpretation that flight would be illegal - http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-06-25/pdf/2014-14948.pdf

You can either fly FPV or by waypoints and get that kind of footage but have to add those capabilities. We're doing tests with automated still capture for photogrammetry of terrain, but we do it on a military base where we've got the range officer with us. That said, two Blackhawks came out of nowhere and almost tangled with our bird. For that project we have to fly beyond LOS.

The gov is going to start cracking down hard, and it will intensify once yo-yos start crashing them into people and property and doing some real damage. By 2015 they'll be regulated heavily and only outlaws will have drones...

2015 is in danger as well. The word is no legislation until 2016. I doubt even then.

I focus all my commercial UAS stuff overseas. There is no legitimate market here until the FAA gets there collective stuff together.

I was running right up to the edge of legality with COA's sponsored by State's, Universities, etc., but you can't build a business around nipping at being illegal.

Pity. I can fly commercially with UAS almost anywhere else in the world (Mexico, Canada for example), just not here.

[aschen]

Originally Posted by rusnak

I don't know how the guy saw the copter that far up at night. They get really hard to see, and the version he flew doesn't have POV unless you add it on.

dont they have GPS locking these days? Just need to get it to altitude and it will stay in place?


I hope all this new technology doesnt ruin the rc hobby with public perception and FAA. I head out to a local park a couple times a week for a little RC heli and parkflying fun.

[nostatic]

What I see happening is a crackdown on "hobby" sooner rather than later but no clear rules for "commercial" anytime soon so yes, you're dead in the water. Right now we are in a gray area and it is no fun. We can play the academia working on govt projects card but that only goes so far...

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by aschen

dont they have GPS locking these days? Just need to get it to altitude and it will stay in place?


I hope all this new technology doesnt ruin the rc hobby with public perception and FAA. I head out to a local park a couple times a week for a little RC heli and parkflying fun.

Yep, DJI has both GPS tracking, return to home and FPV. As I said, you can add it to the Phantom 2. It comes standard on the Phantom 2 Vision. The Go Pro model does not come with FPV. Many of the pro model platforms don't come with FPV but you can have it transmitted to your screen or goggles.

[afterburn 549]

Awesome !

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by aschen

dont they have GPS locking these days? Just need to get it to altitude and it will stay in place?

Yes, but it's impossible to see at that altitude so you don't know if it's in position. There are a lot of work arounds. I saw a video of a guy that added brilliant white LEDs to his and you could see it way off. You can also add FPV to the Phantoms that carry GoPros. The description said this vid was shot with a GoPro, so I'm guessing this guy had some sort of FPV set up added on. But you're right, once you get it in the vicinity you don't have to constantly fly it, it will maintain position unless you tell it otherwise.
The problem of seeing it is the biggest limitation of these things as far as I can tell. Every crash I've had has come about because it was so far away I couldn't tell the front from the back.

[mikester]

I love seeing yahoos jeapordize my hobby by doing stupid stuff:

Flying A Drone Through Fireworks May Land You In Prison - Forbes

[Porsche-O-Phile]

It's our government - everything is illegal. Heck I'm sure breathing is illegal now.

[porsche4life]

You realize they are making laws because of all of the idiots who say they don't want to be spied on and that they would shoot them down.

There have been plenty of those comments on here...

[cstreit]

It was my understanding that as long as you didn't profit or charge for it, it was still considered "hobby". Is that NOT correct?

[mikester]

Originally Posted by cstreit

It was my understanding that as long as you didn't profit or charge for it, it was still considered "hobby". Is that NOT correct?

That is not correct.

There are things the FAA allows for from a 'model airplane' standpoint and then the rest is pretty unclear at the moment.

Basically; I believe (and I could be wrong because the FAA hasn't provided for clear guidance on the situation yet) that the FAA basically supports the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) definition of a model aircraft and basically a 'hobbyist'.

That definition simply a primary pilot controlling the aircraft within line of sight. First Person (FPV) flying is allowed but the FPV pilot must be a secondary pilot and there must be a primary pilot in control with line of site. Basically the FPV pilot is on a buddy box and the primary pilot in control can take control if needed. Key point still is that the aircraft is flown within line of sight. Also there are altitude and other restrictions or guidance here:

http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/uas/model_aircraft_operators/


AMA has a list of rules as well that pertain to them insuring pilots.

Homeowner's insurance policies are usually the primary insurance mechanism is something bad happens and the AMA is secondary. Still though, if you do something WRONG (like, against the law) your insurance will not be covering you and you are personally liable for any damages you cause.

The article I posted sums it up pretty well.

Autonomous flight and non-commercial uses are not specifically against the law but the airspace is governed by the FAA and the main concern is that people carrying aircraft are the highest priority. UAVs, Model Aircraft, drones, whatever must give way to anything with an actual person in it. For a hobbyist - if you are outside of line of sight you are not in control of your aircraft (though you may think you are - you are merely suggesting a course for the aircraft) and cannot watch for other aircraft effectively.

Even when you are line of sight - if you are flying alone you are breaking the AMA rules and it's likely your insurance won't cover any damages you do because when flying alone you are watching your model - you're not watching for hazards too.

Okay...before I get too started I will stop there.

[stjsyjsj]

Thanks DJI Pilot for putting your quad in the line of fire.