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ANYBODY "DOING" DRONES?

MyNameIsNobody
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MyNameIsNobody Grand Master

MyNameIsNobody

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I was asked to be our Corporate "Drone Pilot" because I had my PPL.  Company bought a Phantom 3.  I was pleasantly surprised how easy they are to operate.  With the recent release of the small drone operating guidelines I decided to pursue the "formal" small drone license.  It took about three hours online to take the free webinar training and complete the test.  It is "open book" as you are on your own computer.  About 32 questions.  Scored 100% on test.  The process is to then go to another website register and complete a application for the license.  You get a number assigned that is then used by a CFI to review that you have a PPL/Current Flight Review and then after their confirmation the license is issued.  The video quality/capability of the camera's on the drones is pretty impressive.  I am going to take the drone up to my inlaw's cottage and take some aerial shots.  Just thought I would share the process and see if any other pilots have pursued the license?  Have fun.

Joe Zuffoletto Mentor

Joe Zuffoletto

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Haven't got my license yet but two years ago I used a Phantom 2 to capture aerial footage of my sister's wedding. The videographer told me what he wanted me to shoot, then he took my footage and folded it into his final product. It was very impressive. They are easy to operate. The camera gimbal on mine got messed up so I haven't used it much since.

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MyNameIsNobody Grand Master

MyNameIsNobody

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I always replace that plastic piece to "secure the camera" after use.  The camera/gimble and wiring does seem so fragile.  I would not spend a grand of my money on a drone with a fixed camera system.  Would rather be able to have a mount and a plug and play capability with a Go Pro?  I would think Garmin would get into this as they are good with GPS and integration.  I think this is going to explode (drone use for recreation) with people flying "personal drones" like a mobile selfie stick while doing bike tricks/skateboarding/hunting etc...Technology will advance at a rapid pace and pricing with economy of scale should come down.

Edited by MyNameIsNobody
Joe Zuffoletto Mentor

Joe Zuffoletto

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2 hours ago, MyNameIsNobody said:

I always replace that plastic piece to "secure the camera" after use.  The camera/gimble and wiring does seem so fragile.  I would not spend a grand of my money on a drone with a fixed camera system.  Would rather be able to have a mount and a plug and play capability with a Go Pro?  I would think Garmin would get into this as they are good with GPS and integration.  I think this is going to explode (drone use for recreation) with people flying "personal drones" like a mobile selfie stick while doing bike tricks/skateboarding/hunting etc...Technology will advance at a rapid pace and pricing with economy of scale should come down.

The gimbal on the Phantom 2+ is very fragile and prone to getting out of adjustment. I was always careful to secure it with the plastic pieces but that didn't help. Now I can't fix it any more. Like you, I like the concept of using a standalone camera but never really looked into it.

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Danb Grand Master

Danb

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My nephew was  a captain flying Huey's in Iraq war and a couple other duties. He was recruited by I believed Lockeed flys unmanned helicopters and secret stuff for military I think trying to get Isis, he worked out of San Diego. My point is he an unmanned pilot making north of $400g's, There is big bucks in the right place. He was just transfered to Acy, as my godchild he still won't tell me what he does. He's no Clinton.

 

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BradB Rising Star

BradB

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2 hours ago, pmccand said:

Yep.  well, sort of...

My kid is is a drone pilot as he is getting his degree in aerospace engineering at Mississippi State University next year.  There are several engineering specialty programs at MSU with LOTS of research dollars in them right now and my son is principal pilot for a fixed wing and rotary wing research projects for a few of them at only 19 years of age.  He started when he was about 10 and is a master RC aerobatics performer, so this made him a natural for the drones.  One of the drones he flies carries about $80,000 + worth of equipment, so flying these drones is at pretty big deal. 

He's pretty excited about the drone and aerospace program here, but he will probably drop it all in a year or so, as he wants to be (of all things) a cardiologist....I wish my "underachieving" kid would hurry up and make up his mind :wacko:....

Phil

 

Phil,

Tell him neurosurgery is way cooler.  I may be biased...

Brad 

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aviatoreb Grand Master

aviatoreb

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3 hours ago, Danb said:

My nephew was  a captain flying Huey's in Iraq war and a couple other duties. He was recruited by I believed Lockeed flys unmanned helicopters and secret stuff for military I think trying to get Isis, he worked out of San Diego. My point is he an unmanned pilot making north of $400g's, There is big bucks in the right place. He was just transfered to Acy, as my godchild he still won't tell me what he does. He's no Clinton.

 

Wow - that is a really big salary - I wouldn't have guessed it was nearly that high.  I have heard that military drone flying can be very stressful though.

thinwing Grand Master

thinwing

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The problem with the Phantom 3 is the gear is in the way for panning shots...I like the Dji F550 or clones with the retractable gear...this clears the view for the 3 axis camera gimble ...basically you are in hover or slo flight and able to smoothly pan.Also..moters and esc s fail all the time.Lose a moter in a quad like Phantom and you are going to break the camera.Lose a moter in a hex...and you can spiral down to a controlled landing.Of course ,if you company was really into it..they would have bought the inspire...the gear retracts and better camera gimble.

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MyNameIsNobody Grand Master

MyNameIsNobody

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17 minutes ago, thinwing said:

The problem with the Phantom 3 is the gear is in the way for panning shots...I like the Dji F550 or clones with the retractable gear...this clears the view for the 3 axis camera gimble ...basically you are in hover or slo flight and able to smoothly pan.Also..moters and esc s fail all the time.Lose a moter in a quad like Phantom and you are going to break the camera.Lose a moter in a hex...and you can spiral down to a controlled landing.Of course ,if you company was really into it..they would have bought the inspire...the gear retracts and better camera gimble.

True.  Very half into it is an accurate description.  More of a marketing tool.  Roof inspections.  Just "paid fun" for me.

MyNameIsNobody Grand Master

MyNameIsNobody

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1 hour ago, Brandontwalker said:

Got my Commercial UAS license on Sunday. Now to figure out what to do with it?

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Hey Brandon, how did the part with the CFI sign off go.  Did you just give the completion online cert to them and he input it while you were there?  Issued a temp?  I am getting together with CFI to do "that part" this week.

peevee Grand Master

peevee

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8 minutes ago, MyNameIsNobody said:

Hey Brandon, how did the part with the CFI sign off go.  Did you just give the completion online cert to them and he input it while you were there?  Issued a temp?  I am getting together with CFI to do "that part" this week.

If I'm a cfi can I sign my own? Hah. 

 

I know I can't :(

Edited by peevee
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Brandontwalker Proficient

Brandontwalker

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1 hour ago, Brandontwalker said: Got my Commercial UAS license on Sunday. Now to figure out what to do with it?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey Brandon, how did the part with the CFI sign off go.  Did you just give the completion online cert to them and he input it while you were there?  Issued a temp?  I am getting together with CFI to do "that part" this week.

I took the online test and a certificate was sent via email following completion. Started a new application on IACRA immediately and uploaded the certificate. Handed the laptop to my CFI who just signs in and electronically signs the application. It was pretty simple.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

MyNameIsNobody Grand Master

MyNameIsNobody

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1 hour ago, Brandontwalker said:

 

 

Hey Brandon, how did the part with the CFI sign off go.  Did you just give the completion online cert to them and he input it while you were there?  Issued a temp?  I am getting together with CFI to do "that part" this week.

 

 

I took the online test and a certificate was sent via email following completion. Started a new application on IACRA immediately and uploaded the certificate. Handed the laptop to my CFI who just signs in and electronically signs the application. It was pretty simple.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thought CFI needed to sign in and it would be easy.  Thanks for confirmation.  Enjoy!

MyNameIsNobody Grand Master

MyNameIsNobody

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5 minutes ago, pmccand said:

I just went on line, took the course and exam, and am now certificated to fly drones for commercial purposes.  Just awaiting CFI sign off to be complete. Soon, I can now supervise my son who is an expert (and currently uncertificated recreational UAS drone pilot) and get reimbursed for my (his) activities.  He flies, I supervise.  Pretty cool.

 

It was actually pretty cool before the FAA got involved.. back then HE flew AND supervised all by himself.

Good for you!  I just met with my CFI tonight.  Just waiting on the plastic now :)  He is my hero.  Started out with a Cherokee 180, Bought a Diamond with 180 money...Sold Diamond and bought a nice '59 Commanche from an 80 year old that had bought a twin Commanche...for $42k with 300 on overhaul and 100 on a three blade prop.  Sold it after hundreds of trouble free hours and turned around in '08 bought an 03 Cirrus from a California bank that had 14 repoed birds for what he had in Commanche.  Just turned the Cirrus sale into an 07 LanceAir twin turbo that will do 200 knots.  Guy bought it and put a total of 300 hours on it.  It had been sitting and needed turbos re-built and one cylinder (on previous owners dime) and the bird has A.C.

Living the dream...he is.

MyNameIsNobody Grand Master

MyNameIsNobody

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After completing the online Ap it didn't go through.  I wasn't sure if that was what was supposed to happen and the CFI would finish.  When we talked on phone he said he couldn't see it...So I called the toll free number on site and by God I got a human being that helped me tun off some cookie settings and wa-la sent on ap and we met.  He had me bring a birth certificate and drivers license...Anyway done.  Worth it just to B.S. With him about his new plane.  I look forward to my "ride".

Watch the Drone-humour/Fails video compilation.  Pretty funny.  Don't be that guy :)

 

Yetti Grand Master

Yetti

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I have a crash reel that I put together.  Not sure why but it is kind of funny to crash them.  Every have the propeller nut come off?  The propeller shoots straight up in the air and the drone straight down to the ground.  I use jam nuts on the wrong direction propellers now.   I have had the DJI Woo Kong controller do the fly off uncontrolled thing.   Luckily some Pecan trees stopped it.    I guess I should go get licensed.

thinwing Grand Master

thinwing

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Dang...woo Kong flyaway huh...sure you didn't go into FS mode and the bird was simply flying back to last reported home?How about computer mode?A faulty mission load?I ve got two wookongs...one on an aluminum arm f550 making it an f650 and another on a clone s800... No flyaway so far

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