Meet the Latest and Greatest Prosumer Camera Drone! Wow!

Los Angeles, CA—Yes! As most of my visitors know I’m pumped up and over the top about camera drones as a photographer and filmmaker.  I already own two of them.  My current flagship is the DJI Phantom 2, which uses a GoPro camera.

Today, worldwide there are more than a million multi-rotor camera drones in civilian hands.  They well outnumber conventional helicopters.  They have a perfect safety record of no reported deaths or remarkable injuries.  To date there are still no known collisions between a camera drone and any conventional aircraft. 

Like all of the DJI drones the new Inspire 1 model they unveiled yesterday is relatively easy to fly.  If you have or acquire photography and video editing skills you have the time of your life capturing images.  I find flying these multi-rotor copters incredibly exciting, addicting and empowering!

Now there is a new must have camera drone in the skies as I speak.  It’s the DJI Inspire that has taken the industry by storm. 

The sleek looking Inspire can go easily travel at 45 mph and has already been clocked by one user at 60 mph.  Because of special built in navigation cameras it can fly safely indoors like in convention halls and churches where GPS signals are interrupted.

The fail-safe, return home feature now sends the drone to the radio controller radio instead of take off point.  That so you can operate this from a moving vehicle or boat.
Previously the DJI drones would only land at the spot where it took off.  This means operating the Inspire from boats and motor vehicles can be accomplished with out fear of losing the drone in the drink! 

The Inspire boasts a better camera that shoots in 4K.  The Inspire uses the DJI Lightbridge technology sending back startling real time HD video for nearly a mile. The Inspire works with common TV screens, IPads and monitors.

The telemetry display gives distance, altitude along with precise battery usage information.

It has a better camera 4k and you can use two controllers and pilots.  One pilot operating the drone while the other operates the camera for much better control of the shots. This is made by the same company as my Phantom 2 and was released yesterday.  

I must have an Inspire for my own camera drone air force and I hope to somehow get one to use from DJI for demonstration purposes soon. 

The cost is just under $3K with a second controller at an additional $600.00. 

There can only one word for the new Inspire, WOW!

Sit back and watch the three videos.  Most of the aerial shots were done in and near beautiful Frankfurt, Germany. 

Another quadcopter video for my visitors one Pacific Palisades, CA

Professional Quadcopter Pilot/Photographers Dealing with the FAA Regulations and Local Authorities.

The FAA has arbitrarily ruled that “commercial” use of drones or unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAV’s) is prohibited.  The use of these amazing devices by hobbyists of course is perfectly legal until a UAV pilot earns a single dime.  Then the FAA will investigate and fine the offending party $10,000.00.  Of course the accused pilot has a right to a court hearing on the matter and evidence must be presented.  The pilot can then properly challenge whatever evidence the FAA offers up.

So far the FAA’s only known case against a UAV photographer/pilot ever to see a courtroom failed.  On or about October 17, 2011 Raphael Pirker of Zurich, Switzerland was commercially operating his UAV over the University of Virginia. He was paid to gather video by a communications company.

Pirker was also accused of flying the UAV at extremely low altitudes.  The FAA claimed he operated his drone recklessly.  Accordingly the FAA issued a civil penalty of $10,000.00 against Pirker.  In court however, the judge’s ruling held that the FAA did not follow the law when they promulgated the UAV regulations.

In Denver, CO on March 6th 2014 Federal Judge Patrick G. Geraghty reversed the FAA’s action against Pirker and that nasty fine.  The judge also ruled that the FAA has no authority over small, unmanned aircraft. 

At this stage the FAA has appealed the ruling and won a stay of the Judge Geraghty’s order pending further review in the U.S. Court of Appeals.   That means the FAA can continue their reign of regulatory terror against commercial drone users until the outcome of that appeal.   If you are fined by the FAA chances are that the fine could be reversed later.

As a UAV pilot you need to understand your rights.  If you do the FAA will have a very difficult time going after you.  First and foremost the FAA does not have the resources or manpower needed to chase thousands of UAV pilots.  They can barely take care of their real business.   They simply don’t have the funds to regulate the UAV pilots.

If a UAV pilot causes injury or significant property damage the FAA will definitely get involved if they are notified.  If the FAA for any reason contacts a suspected UAV pilot you need to know your rights and just how to respond.   You can actually shut down their investigative efforts simply by shutting your own mouth.

This is still America and there is still a Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination and all you have to do is use it!  When ANY government official asks you questions about a UAV you may or may not be involved with you simply tell that agent or cop, “I want a lawyer”.   Do not answer questions.  Do not make excuses and do not tell lies.  SAY NOTHING AT ALL!

Local police may be involved initially and the same holds true for them.  “I want a lawyer”, should never be too difficult to remember.  Should they try to invite you into an interview or interrogation room simply refuse restating you’re not talking to anyone without a lawyer present.  The FAA would love to have a police video recording of you telling them who hired you and that you were the actual paid UAV pilot.

The FAA has to prove that you were using that UAV for a commercial purpose.  They have to positively know who hired you.  They have to also prove that you were paid or expected payment by way of an offer or actual payment.   Of course you could help the FAA by admitting whom you contracted with and for how much.  That will seal your fate and get you ready to write the FAA a big check.

If your client is a news organization they can be counted upon to instantly shut down any inquiry involving a news source.  If you have provided them with aerial video, that automatically makes you their news source.  They will fight any and all subpoenas and the various shield laws probably will protect you from exposure.

If the FAA somehow becomes aware you made a video for a paying client they will begin by asking that client who made it and how much was paid.  If it’s not a news organization they will rat you out in a second.  But that information is really not enough to withstand a court hearing.  That’s mostly hearsay evidence that we ban in our courtrooms.

They absolutely will need a witness/s that will testify that they saw you, contract with the client and actually pilot the UAV. 

As for the FAA chasing the little guys shooting video for news organizations, real estate outfits, entertainment projects or weddings.  Each investigation by the FAA will cost them more to conduct each investigation than any fine they’d ever hope to collect.  It’s just not practical unless of course you help the FAA make the case against you by blabbing to them.  

If you’re trying to pay your rent or grocery bill with your camera armed UAV, go ahead and do it.   Always fly safely.   Practicing first in wide-open and uninhabited spaces is an absolute must before you can learn to make a watchable video anyway.  You should have a minimum of 25 or 30 failure free flights behind you before you consider yourself ready to take on paying video assignments. 

The current terrific cameras like the $400.00 GoPro must stay somewhat close to the ground for the best-detailed images.  The FAA’s current 400 Foot limit is more than enough altitude for you to work with.   Helicopter news crews operate above 400 feet but they are using special lenses on their cameras that cost well into tens of thousands of dollars. 

As for the future the FAA has put UAV regulation on the fast track and will have some rules out soon.   I fully expect they will be far more reasonable than the current commercial use ban.  

State and local government lawmakers will quickly get involved now too.  UAV operators will quickly need to hire professional lobbyists to appear before lawmakers to oppose bans and other severe restrictions.  We always seem to elect really ignorant people to or legislatures and city councils.   They run government by knee jerk.

My position on and Use of Camera Drones for Investigation and News Gathering

Phoenix, AZ—Today numerous news organizations have filed a legal brief in the matter of the FAA vs. Pirker.  Pirker was fined for making a video for the University of Virginia using a small camera drone.  A federal judge in Denver struck down the FAA’s ban and now the matter is under appeal.  There may be a risk to commercial drone use should the FAA win their appeal.

The news organizations are properly claiming a 1st Amendment right to use the drones for news gathering purposes.  

The FAA banned all commercial use of drones by civilians.  They did not however attempt to ban drones being used by hobbyists.   The FAA says they will issue regulations for the drones later this year.

The Drone Genie is long out of the bottle and now these are must have toys for every teen aged boy in America.  The drones are invisible on radar and the FAA can’t possibly begin to police every drone in America.

I will concede that the FAA owns the air space around every airport.  The same could be said for the airspace above 400 feet where conventional aircraft flies.  However everything else below 400 feet is mine along with other drone operators.

There are already strong laws in every state dealing with privacy invasion, harassment and endangerment.   Anyone breaking those existing laws will well-deserve a date before a criminal and possibly civil court judge for that kind of misconduct.  In case you were wondering you don’t have an expectation of privacy when you skinny-dip in your back yard pool if it can be seen by air.

I’m using my drone for newsgathering, investigations as well as for improving my drone piloting skills and for simple enjoyment of its hobby aspects. I will take my chances with the FAA especially when they are unreasonable, arbitrary or tyrannical.   My clients deserve clear video and still images at a fraction of the cost of hiring conventional aircraft photographers.

The FAA claims to be concerned with safety in the nation’s air space.  If that’s true they need to remember not a single life has been lost as a result of the use of a drone by civilians.  Conventional aircraft or large heavy drones may well need FAA attention not the lightweight plastic drones like mine. 

Here are three examples of my drone videos:

The Arbitrary and Capricious FAA and its Tyranny Against Newsgathering Efforts. Check out this terrific video!

Mayflower, AK—April 27, 2014, tragedy struck the heartland in the form of springtime tornados.  It was not really safe to send up a helicopter and crew to survey the damage.  Emergency vehicles found roads impassable and were unable to locate victims needing assistance.

One drone video journalist sent up his camera high above the scene.  The stunning video he captured was a real public service.  First responders could see areas where help was needed.  The local residents lucky enough to have escaped the wrath of the storms could see if they still had homes and the extent of damage. 

During these emergencies looting becomes a concern and understandably police limit entry to these areas significantly.  Using the camera drones homeowners can see just how their precious homes survived or did not without waiting for police escorts that can take days. 

The FAA tried to take jurisdiction over these little drones that use the tiny HD GoPro cameras.  They decreed that any commercial use would bring their investigators and $10,000.00 fines would follow.  They went after one newsgathering operator and punitively fined him.  A federal judge in Denver recently struck the FAA’s overreaching regulation reversing the fine.  The FAA appealed and the matter is before the Appellate Court waiting for a resolution.

In any event the FAA will try to exercise some authority over these devices but we must expect and demand some sort of reasonableness.  They don’t have any of the manpower needed to regulate millions of these toys that are being built by hobbyists or sold by hobby shops.  The devices themselves because of their small size are invisible to radar.  

Most importantly when the little drones have mishaps nobody is injured nor is there any property damage to show when that happens. 

When there are earthquakes, wildfires, floods and such the only way to survey the damage or discover people needing rescue is from the air.  There are not enough helicopters and flying during threatening weather like the Mayflower is safe as the video shown below demonstrates.  The camera drones can provide a huge public service. 

So You Want to Learn How to use an Unmanned Aircraft, Helicopter, or Quadcopter in Los Angeles? Sergio of Pirofilprc in Van Nuys Will Help You!

Sergio Marachilian

Los Angeles, CA—a close friend that is a long time pilot for American Airlines and before that TWA turned me on to this new hobby.  I have always loved photography and photographers always want to get the best view and angle. 

Arial photography was nearly always out of the question because of the high costs involved.   There are other issues such as; helicopters can’t always get into tight spaces.  Helicopter crashes can be catastrophic but a mishap with the new generation quadcopters almost never causes injury or property damage.  These new drones seem to escape any significant damage should they crash into something! 

Modern brushless electric motors and advanced batteries have radically changed the remote control world.  A whole new Galaxy of model planes, boats, cars helicopters and quadcopters is here.  They once were toys really; they seemed to have little value beyond frivolous entertainment. Not anymore at least for people like me. 

Quadcopters are relatively easy to pilot.  This like the entire never-ending onslaught of new technology provides a learning curve and challenges that is always easier to overcome if you have the right kind of help.

A new generation of tiny Unmanned Arial Vehicles have arrived!  At almost at the same time great video and digital cameras have been made incredibly small and weigh little.  It was a marriage made in heaven!  Quadcopters and little cameras work so well together!  

I could not help myself; I just had to get one!  I went online and got mine fro B&H Photo in New York. They are a reputable outfit but helping you learn about the Blade 350 quadcopter is not one of their better qualities. 

Reading instruction manuals written by engineers with language issues along with the fact they are not nor have they ever been writers sometimes fails.  There are lots of instructional videos on YouTube.  Some of them are very good and others are not.   It can be a tough jungle to navigate alone.  I was suddenly in possession of a Blade 350 Quadcopter and a GoPro Hero3+ camera and I was chomping at the bit to get it in the air.

The day came in just after Christmas for the maiden flight of my little Blade 350 quadcopter. I found out there is a remote flying field in Van Nuys.  It’s a great place because of the wide-open space but also there are lots of people that share this hobby.  They help each other with technical problems and field repairs.  My airline pilot friend was with me but he has a different brand quadcopter and it powered up differently than mine.

Getting my little quadcopter in the air was a little tricky.  Most of the people around me were hesitant to hand out advice because of timing there were not that many Blade 350’s out on the street yet.  At the flying field someone pointed out a fellow to me and said, “That’s Sergio over there and he can help you! He owns a hobby shop!”

I went over to this gentleman and had to wait my turn to meet him.  He was something of a celebrity and most of the people either knew him or about him.  Sergio it turned out was the real deal.

I introduced my self to, Sergio Marachilian, the owner of Pirofilprc located at 16205 Victory Blvd, Van Nuys, CA.  His shop is just a few blocks from the flying field.  I told Sergio I needed help and he responded by helping me and quickly got my gizmo in the air handing the radio transmitter over to me.  I was suddenly flying!  Sergio was helping a total stranger that he knew bought his quadcopter from somebody else!  That was indeed very kind and generous!

I have visited Sergio’s shop now several times and no matter how busy he is, he’s incredibly helpful.  He takes his time with those customers that are beginners like me.  He is a born teacher.  Sergio has won me over as a customer in a big way.  This fellow has great people skills and is a savvy businessman.  Sergio knows that guys like me won’t be stealing all his time because they will become proficient in this technology.   They will continue patronize his shop for all their future needs. Additionally Sergio builds and rebuilds all manner of remote controlled devices.

If this hobby is for you and you’re in Van Nuys pay a visit to Sergio’s shop.  He’s also on the web at:  www.pirofilprc.com

Take a Look at the Latest and Greatest Camera Armed, Unmanned Aircraft Drone!

Las Vegas, NV—The National Association of Broadcasters are meeting in Sin City for among other things learn about the rapidly changing technology that brings breathtaking images to those very spectacular TV screens in most of our homes. 

These days TV news directors everywhere are faced with a financial crisis and thankfully the equipment they need has never been better or cheaper.  The largest single expense for any newsroom is that exciting helicopter assisted newsgathering.  Frankly, many medium and small market TV news organizations have had to eliminate helicopters altogether or enter into video sharing and cost splitting agreements with new competitors because they simply can no longer afford it.

Helicopter safety is no small issue with too many deadly crashes and the related liability issues. Another problem is scrambling to get the helicopters quickly in the air when news breaks. 

Quadcopters armed with small high definition cameras are a really good solution.  These have been around for nearly a couple of years but are just now getting refined and perfected for TV newsgathering 

The cost of the drones can be from $1,000.00 to $15,000.00 depending on the camera payload being supported.  TV stations would be well served to obtain several of these drones that should be kept throughout their coverage area.  The less expensive Camera Drones are perfectly adequate for broadcast quality newsgathering purposes. The larger ones are more suited for feature filmmakers.  

Certain reporters or photographers should be trained in handling these easy to use devices so they can respond quickly to accidents, fires or violent incidents. They can be deployed in mere seconds.

In the Las Vegas or Phoenix metropolitan areas perhaps as many as nine drones in each news department would insure quick aerial response to any situation.  This is only a fraction of the cost of operating a news helicopter. 

The captured video can be accessed through a USB port and quickly edited with industry standard software for news packages. 

The quadcopter camera industry leader DJI, is showing off their latest entry into the Camera Drone Race at the NAB Convention.  They just announced their Phantom 2 Vision Plus drone.  This little gem can capture stunning video.  It comes with a three degree stabilizing gimbal. That improved device holds the camera still in windy conditions or during tricky maneuvering of the drone.  The camera shake or vibration is eliminated in this latest version.  It really excels when panning or moving back and forth. 

The Phantom 2 Vision Plus works with modern smart phones to allow both monitoring of the video but to actually change camera settings like exposure while it’s in the air!  The controller has a built-in wifi extender to give as much as a ½ mile range allowing the pilot to view exactly what the camera is able to capture.

The Phantom uses rechargeable batteries that give it life for over 20 minutes, which would be sufficient for most situations.  I’d recommend a second or even a third back up battery for each drone in your news gathering air force.

There are endless uses for Camera Drones in entertainment or documentary filmmaking.  Private investigators, real estate salespeople, roofers and farmers all have a need for this exciting technology.

The new video drones are lightweight and very safe to operate.  The liability issues are almost non-existent.

I don’t yet own the DJI Phantom II Vision Plus since it just was announced. I do however have experience with the two earlier models that some friends of mine have let me use.  They are terrific to say the least.  I will be getting the newest one as fast as I possibly can.  The price is expected to be less than $1,400 with it’s own camera. 

Here is DJI’s website:

http://www.dji.com/products/everyone   

Here is a great night video with an earlier Phantom model. 

Little Camera Drones and FAA Tyranny

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 Washington, DC—The Federal Aviation Authority was created for and exists for serious public safety issues.  They regulate airships and pilots in order to keep our air space safe.   That is absolutely an honorable mission.

However they have overstepped their mission by banning the use of small drones for so-called commercial purposes. 

Hobbyists currently can fly their drones virtually anywhere without any interference.  Flying at a lower altitude than 400 feet and staying away from other aircraft makes sense.  Nobody wants to endanger anyone or anything including his or her own drone.

They will eventually formally regulate drones.  Common sense should dictate that the size and weight of these air vehicles should determine what is or is not regulated.   

The FAA will never have enough inspectors to regulate every teenager with a drone in America.  I don’t think that the taxpayers could or would pay for such government silliness.

Currently the FAA has totally banned anyone for using these machines in commerce.  Specifically they have threatened prosecution of those that would use a drone to gather video or still photos of a news event for broadcast. 

I guess the FAA thinks they are above the law and the First Amendment rights of Americans.  To ban newsgathering while allowing anyone else to operate these drones is nothing less than tyranny.

Somewhat like the old TV series about a San Francisco gentleman, hired gun called, Paladin I will offer my services with a business card that reads, “Have camera-armed drone, will travel.”

I’m additionally a licensed private investigator and need to gather atrial shots of crime and accident scenes for court I’m going to ignore the FAA.

I just got an off the cuff opinion of a very respected Arizona attorney that specializes in media and First Amendment issues.  He said, the drone commercial use ban does not seem to be based on content or expression but about the use of air space.  Therefore he thinks the FAA may win that argument.

I respect the attorney and his opinion but I think banning them for newsgathering while allowing any hobbyist to use them seems to violate at least the spirit of Equal Protection.

Of course if I’m flying my drone for any purpose and am asked by anyone from the government what I’m doing I have only four simple words for him or her, I want a lawyer.

Let me also say that I will be flying mostly for fun and as a hobby. 

Let me throw down the gauntlet and challenge the FAA!  They will only take my drone from my dead cold hands!