Sam on Drones
- Thread starter chromer
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AstoriaDave
New member
chromer":3lqdae61 said:
A great primer on how to do it. Applications abound, with a visual check at low water of a tricky, poorly charted passage being number one on my list.
Sam, how about a few words on launch and retrieve considerations?
There is a section on the video on launch and retrieval toward the end. Well worth looking at. The conclusion was it is better to launch from land. If you have to launch from the boat--fly away the direction the boat is heading.
Sam's boat has a large deck over the main saloon area--and a far better platform than the C Dory. Also less obstructions there.
Bottom line--be prepared to loose the drone. The co-author of the video had last two. Once in the water, they are toast. Also may loose the camera.
Sam's boat has a large deck over the main saloon area--and a far better platform than the C Dory. Also less obstructions there.
Bottom line--be prepared to loose the drone. The co-author of the video had last two. Once in the water, they are toast. Also may loose the camera.
Jody had one which had pontoons, and he landed it between anchored boats. It hit an anchor rode on takeoff, and went in the drink--even the fresh water knocked it out--and I don't believe they got it flying--I have some photos of that event.
Marie wanted to buy me a drone for Christmas--I said no..I was leery of flying from the boat--although we have some clear area on our property, there are a lot of trees around the edges, and a forrest across the water. So not many places to go--we are also sort of in the landing pattern of a small private airport--and the Blue Angels fly over our house at 500 feet almost once a week...(We are on Perdido Bay, and another mile to any other houses, so often the Blues are starting to climb after a low pass.)
Marie wanted to buy me a drone for Christmas--I said no..I was leery of flying from the boat--although we have some clear area on our property, there are a lot of trees around the edges, and a forrest across the water. So not many places to go--we are also sort of in the landing pattern of a small private airport--and the Blue Angels fly over our house at 500 feet almost once a week...(We are on Perdido Bay, and another mile to any other houses, so often the Blues are starting to climb after a low pass.)
I have seen home-made floats on drones... similar to what you'd see on a helicopter. Big difference is the distance from the salt water with a real helicopter and a small drone. I have flown mine over the water... heart up in my throat the first couple times. You have to understand if that is where you are going to fly, the chance of losing it is a risk - is it worth it to get the shot? Each person has to determine that. Wind is also a consideration (the maker of my drone says to not fly in winds over 12 mph... and at that speed, the flying is more work and less precise.
Drones are not all the same - some are made for performance. I picked one that isn't as fast, but is a more stable photography platform. Some fly 'em for the fun of flying, some use them to get a photographic perspective you can't get from the ground. I find my use to be scenic, and preferably away from people... even with that, people still seem to seek you out when they see or hear them. Kinda like having a C-Dory at the boat ramp... the questions: How much? How fast? Does it take photos? Some folks think they are like spy satellites, with no understanding of the wide angle perspective.
If Pat doesn't treat it like a lug nut (humor), it will give him some unique photos on their travels. (And keep in mind there are places you are not allowed to fly.)
Jim
Drones are not all the same - some are made for performance. I picked one that isn't as fast, but is a more stable photography platform. Some fly 'em for the fun of flying, some use them to get a photographic perspective you can't get from the ground. I find my use to be scenic, and preferably away from people... even with that, people still seem to seek you out when they see or hear them. Kinda like having a C-Dory at the boat ramp... the questions: How much? How fast? Does it take photos? Some folks think they are like spy satellites, with no understanding of the wide angle perspective.
If Pat doesn't treat it like a lug nut (humor), it will give him some unique photos on their travels. (And keep in mind there are places you are not allowed to fly.)
Jim
starcrafttom
Active member
starcrafttom
Active member
according to that app I can't fly in my own yard... yeah like I am not going to do that.
starcrafttom":2msylak0 said:
So now I know why I don't want a drone. I am in restricted space of 2 military and one civilian airports. (within 5 miles). No surprise with the prevalence of Naval aviation around us. In fact no where in the Pensacola area is allowed, unless you get some distance--and even there, are training outlying fields. Given that the US military is very serious about their flying--I would not encroach on their air space.
jkidd
Active member
It had to dry out for a while still flys. The others I have would probably never fly again. I have an Inspire 1 and an Inspire 2 their configuration doesn't make them very easy to hand catch.
I've gotten pretty good at hand launching the Phanton 4. I have a inflatable disc I use for a landing pad I can float it in the water or on top of the boat
I've gotten pretty good at hand launching the Phanton 4. I have a inflatable disc I use for a landing pad I can float it in the water or on top of the boat
We live in the midst of naval facilities and protected civilian terminals and boats, and have not heard of many problems with drones. We have heard of rumors of drones over Bangor, the big sub base.
At least one person in our condo, a neighbor of much of the above, has flown a drone in the area. Just don't be a jerk. I will check out the app. There has been just about nothing in local media about problems.
I suspect it won't be long before one of the drones hardens electrical/electronics so that a salt water dunking will be survivable, and maybe designed to take off and land from the water.
At least one person in our condo, a neighbor of much of the above, has flown a drone in the area. Just don't be a jerk. I will check out the app. There has been just about nothing in local media about problems.
I suspect it won't be long before one of the drones hardens electrical/electronics so that a salt water dunking will be survivable, and maybe designed to take off and land from the water.
ps - "Kitsap Drone" on Facebook has a variety of pictures, including our marina and ferry terminal, with the Naval Base in the background.
He makes reference to operating on a floating pad. Also to a recovery system with a 100 foot cord. This is based on a fishing rod recovery system. So I suspect he has drones that are hardened for salt water immersion.
He makes reference to operating on a floating pad. Also to a recovery system with a 100 foot cord. This is based on a fishing rod recovery system. So I suspect he has drones that are hardened for salt water immersion.
starcrafttom
Active member
Well I took a look at the app again and its kind of a joke, or the rules are. My house sits at the cross road of 3 " airports" 5 mile ring. Two of the so called airports are PRIVATE HOMES that have helicopters. How some rich guys private runway that gets used twice a month in the summer rates as a do not fly zone at my house is beyond me. But how we have to be licensed , controlled and restricted to fly a Drone when for the last 50 years or more people have been flying radio controlled planes, choppers and gliders all over the whole country with out one accident involving a radio controlled object and a real plane is beyond me and common sense.
is an entirely different take on drones--a "pocket drone", which can take either 4K or 1080 Video and 13 MP still photos, yet fold up and stow away! Also "throw and fly"--I like that!
here $467
There is a cheaper version, without the extra batteries, extra props and case. See reviews, but being sold by B & H photo, which is a well respected store..
Seems to make a lot of sense for the small areas we have available in the boats. Dimensions: Folded: 5.3 x 2.6 x 1.4" / 135 x 67 x 36.8 mm
Extended: 5.3 x 5.7 x 1.4" / 135 x 145 x 36.8 mm
Reviews are mixed, and I would not "invest" in one currently--very short flight
time of 3 minutes, but I suspect if this concept is following and improved it will have significant impact on the "personal" drone market.
Edit: I found far more favorable reviews on the "bare bones" not kit version--5 to 6 minutes flight time--still recommend extra batteries.
Tom, I am with you all the way about gov. intrusion. I think what has happened, is that these are so cheap (some as low as $30), that people without much sense have abused the use. This includes flying into military bases, the White House, and in several cases stopping SAR and fire fighting helicopters or planes because of perceived danger. The guys who fly the radio control AC are a pretty responsible bunch and understand their hobby. With the done any idiot like me can by one and put it up in the air. We visited our local radio controlled field recently and the guys there were complaining that the FAA was basically shutting them down, as well as complaints from newly built homes--in an area which had been an old land fill until 6 months ago!
here $467
There is a cheaper version, without the extra batteries, extra props and case. See reviews, but being sold by B & H photo, which is a well respected store..
Seems to make a lot of sense for the small areas we have available in the boats. Dimensions: Folded: 5.3 x 2.6 x 1.4" / 135 x 67 x 36.8 mm
Extended: 5.3 x 5.7 x 1.4" / 135 x 145 x 36.8 mm
Reviews are mixed, and I would not "invest" in one currently--very short flight
time of 3 minutes, but I suspect if this concept is following and improved it will have significant impact on the "personal" drone market.
Edit: I found far more favorable reviews on the "bare bones" not kit version--5 to 6 minutes flight time--still recommend extra batteries.
Tom, I am with you all the way about gov. intrusion. I think what has happened, is that these are so cheap (some as low as $30), that people without much sense have abused the use. This includes flying into military bases, the White House, and in several cases stopping SAR and fire fighting helicopters or planes because of perceived danger. The guys who fly the radio control AC are a pretty responsible bunch and understand their hobby. With the done any idiot like me can by one and put it up in the air. We visited our local radio controlled field recently and the guys there were complaining that the FAA was basically shutting them down, as well as complaints from newly built homes--in an area which had been an old land fill until 6 months ago!
jkidd
Active member
I wouldn't waste your money on the cheap ones you get what you pay for. A very good beginning one would be a DJI Mavic for $1000 shoots 4K stills in raw has obstacle advoidance, return to home with advoidance. Watches both Satelite systems. Can follow in many modes. They fly very stable and fold up to about the size of your hand. The remote is about the size of a game controller. With a 28 minute fly time. This picture was shot with a Mavic.
Pat Anderson
New member
Yes, I did watch Sam's video, he sent me a link a day or so ago via FB messenger. I got four take-aways about flying the drone the from a boat.
First, boat needs to be stopped. Second, get it up above the highest point on the boat as quickly as possible. Third, fly the drone in front of the boat. Fourth, move the drone only in one axis at a time. I can do all those things. I agree that I would need to be up on the bow to do this. There is a fifth thing, I didn't need to be told: try not to fall in the water!
Here is the video of my first flight, in which I retrieved the drone to my hand.
BTW, Sam has the DJI Phantom 3 Standard which is the same one I have. At just over $400 this lacks only obstacle avoidance that Jody'sDJI Inspire has.
First, boat needs to be stopped. Second, get it up above the highest point on the boat as quickly as possible. Third, fly the drone in front of the boat. Fourth, move the drone only in one axis at a time. I can do all those things. I agree that I would need to be up on the bow to do this. There is a fifth thing, I didn't need to be told: try not to fall in the water!
Here is the video of my first flight, in which I retrieved the drone to my hand.
BTW, Sam has the DJI Phantom 3 Standard which is the same one I have. At just over $400 this lacks only obstacle avoidance that Jody'sDJI Inspire has.