Chapter 577

1/30/2021

Drone Tech

follow the Science

Scouted out a launch point for my General Kosciusczko Twin Bridges shot one evening. The bike path was a good safe and unobtrusive choice from which to get the composition I wanted.

I had mapped the sunrise at 26 degrees below true east for this time of year and wanted to get the sun within the arches. It didn't look great from the lower elevation so I went higher for an even better result  with the reflections. Really enjoying the twilight shots and it's easy to be awake on winter mornings at 7am. This location is quite nostalgic for me having crossed that bridge when I came to it thousands of times on my early morning commute during my worker days.

link to Minus 12 Video

The drones are highly technical beasts and this may not interest you but it is part of my learning process.

"They" said don't go out in minus 20 wind chill, you could die. But I like to test the limits. We survived unscathed. Using my "Agloves" here, I learned from a fellow droner that touchscreen compatible gloves exist. Who knew, not me? Touching the smart phone screen is necessasary during flying. My goose down jacket not new tech but warm, bought it at the A-Frame Ski shop in Latham 1976.

The video is not full bore scintillating but just to learn some aerial maneuvers and camera settings. A success in that regard.

I made the video only visible with this link. It should work from here but "normal channel"  Youtubers wont be able to see it.

 The drone guy I met on the Mohawk River her ( Lock 7 far left ) mentioned he could safely send his drone up river about 3 miles. Looking forward to a lengthy sortie but just stretching my limits to a quarter mile so far.  There are obstacles here: NY Power Pool high capacity power lines, Albany airport south few miles and Schenectady airport few miles west. My obstacle avoidance front & rear help as well as the flight awareness software.

I went up 300 feet then west a thousand feet to capture this morning shot from home.  So easy to launch anywhere.

My house is in the 300 foot allowable altitude but as I flew over the reservoir I hit the 200 foot allowable as I neared the North 010 degree Albany International Airport runway glide path. My built in waring system came on verbally telling me to drop down or the software would force me into a landing mode.

I did an aerial view above head here after a snow storm.

link to drone range test video . His drone is the same as my model that will go 5 miles out and return on one battery.

Haven't taken  mine apart yet but just in case I crash there are ways to repair.  link to a look inside my drone video 

Quantum Tech does a great job of capturing industrial processes. The robots are amazing. link to DJI Drone Manufacturing video +

misc notes

Laws are changing with the proliferation of drones. The 5 mile limit from an airport is not in effect anymore, but they have a much more sensible and well defined geo zone approach.

link to flying over ADK www.adirondackcouncil.org/page/where-can-you-fly-a-drone-in-the-adirondack-park-305.html 

Clowns at NYS Parks and Rec want 10 days advance request in writing to fly over state parks. Ridiculously not feasible, but it's ONLY guidance...not law or regulation. Best thing is to just be reasonable and safe as my FAA registration says.

You can fly over private property if you launch from public property earththroughthelens.com/where-to-fly-a-drone-in-upstate-ny-for-scenic-photos-and-video/ 

You can fly over federal land youtu.be/fHTzPv4KUXM 

OK to launch from public property fly over private ok youtu.be/NUi7lcPELYg otherwise commercial aircraft could not exist.

My approach is to stay out of the way,  away from people, anonymous and not disturb. The people I've come across mostly seem to enjoy drones and who can not love the beautiful drone videos.