The Drone Zone

Drone Prize 2014

Hi Folks,  My wife and I have flown Thailand three times now and know some pretty cool places to fly.  Do you think there would be any interest in putting together a "droning" tour of Thailand where I lead the tour, we bring along a video editor to show you how to make your own videos, and a drone shop owner who could bring spare parts and teach us how to repair our own drones? 

Here is one of the places we could stay (my wife says she will give us "best possible rates" at her…

32-year-old waiter Russell J. Percenti was arrested last week for allegedly firing a shotgun at an aerial remote control “helicopter” drone

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2014/10/03/man-allegedly-shoots-down-neighbors-drone-with-shotgun/?intcmp=latestnews

We are going to start interviewing some people in the drone community.  If you have anyone you'd like us to interview, why not approach them and see if they would like to be on?

Hey Folks,

We need a few of you to start posting videos here, OK?

I have been critical in the past of "Dridiots" (drone-flying idiots).  Here is an article about an idiot -- just plain idiot.

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/09/30/new-jersey-man-accused-of-shooting-down-neighbors-remote-control-drone/

Yet another beneficial use of drones,  check out the footage around 1.20.  "Superbat"

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/missing-woman-search-drones-search-dallas-woman-25453926

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L75ESD9PBOw

Gotta check out this drone.  But, the real question, if you sell advertising on the picture you take of yourself, is it "commercial use" under FAA rules?

http://www.digitalwack.com/2014/09/a-wearable-camera-that-turns-into-drone.html

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10154734212100045&fref=nf

This is truly hilarious.  Gotta see it.

First time following the FAA guidelines for ATC.  Just had my first experience dealing with an Air Traffic Controller over use of a drone within 5 miles of an airport.  The ATC was very busy, but very professional and polite.  He wanted to know where I was flying, and rather than the 400' that is generally considered our "ceiling", he asked me to stay below 200'.  He also asked for a cell phone number of my spotter so that he could ask us to get the drone down if needed.  Finally, he…

While in Las Vegas for the Unmanned Systems Expo, I dropped my drone off at DronesPlus for repair.  Within 3 days, they had my drone all fixed up, and it was under warranty so didn't cost me a dime!  This is one of the few DJI-certified repair facilities, so if you have a Phantom that is not working very well, I'd highly recommend this place.

Well, we've shot a bunch of video, but it's 109 and we seem to having overheating problems as I'm flying without any view through my cell phone.  Still, by luck, getting some good pictures of video.