Some nice pics from drones

[incisor]

Dronestagram: Amazing travel images from around the world taken by drones (http://www.traveller.com.au/dronestagram-amazing-travel-images-from-around-the-world-taken-by-drones-gh6jwa)

[Ausfree]

It seems drones are the flavour of the month at the moment. A new magazine has been launched (if you'll pardon the pun):)

Drone Magazine to launch in May - AdNews (http://www.adnews.com.au/news/drone-magazine-to-launch-in-may)

[Tombie]

Love these new toys!

[newhue]

You need some type of licence with these don't you? Not any old hack can get one and buzz them around is my understanding.

I'm in two minds regarding their use, yes the images are impressive, and have wondered how some of the placed I have visited would look different from the sky. Make great video instead of just stills.
On the other hand I don't want my camping at somewhere like Fraser for instance been buzzed by a giant mosquito, or do the same to others. Bit like music in that sense. And I'd hate to think if someone had it in for someone how they could easily stalk a private house or business from several kilometres away.

I have heard NP's are using them to scope/monitor legal or illegal activities here and there but have seen no evidence.

[Barefoot Dave]

In general ( I am not a certified operator)
If you are flying an aircraft outside of line of sight, you are required to have a Operators certificate, effectively a limited pilots licence. There is a UAV school doing good business in the Lockyer valley!
In sight: Not over people or anything you can damage if it drops from the sky.
Not interfere with emergency operations
Keep under the Aviation 'floor' of the area of operations (400ft AGL or outside an exclusion zone)
Not over private property
CASA, unlike other Aviation authorities around the world, are a bit ahead with regs for UAVs. They call them RPAs. Knock yourself out:
Civil Aviation Safety Authority - Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) (http://www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:STANDARD::pc=PC_100374)

We have looked at using UAVs for rapid roof damage assessment locally in the SES. I came up against the 'Invasion of privacy' issue. Funny, when I am standing on the roof, I can see much more than the limited field of view from a UAV camera.:p

[Bushie]

If you are using for profit etc you also need a license.
Unfortunately SES/RFS/CFA etc are considered commercial operators by CASA and will also need the operator license to utilise.

Martyn

[landy]

Privacy and UAS/RPA is under review. In Australia we do not have an automatic right to privacy in a 'Public' place. With the exception of where a normal person given the circumstances would expect privacy I.e. A public toilet, change room ect.
IF....I am a non commercial operator at the moment I can chuck one up and assuming I fly within CASAs rules ie maintain visual control under 1000' I can pretty much shoot what I like given some exceptions.
The issues are that should I have a camera on a street corner and I don't step on your property you can ask me not to take your picture or simply go inside your home (you must close your curtains as I can still take your picture as long as I don't step on your property) with an RPA you may not know I'm there (one of the exceptions I mentioned) or if you do you may not know who is operating it so can't ask I stop.
My gut feeling is everybody who has bought one in the last few years as a hobby flyer,(and I'd love one!) is going to find them illegal soon if they don't get an operating licence and that will be expensive.
I think that as out doors people they offer a great extension to our photos/home movies. But because everybody thinks someone wants to invade they privacy it is becoming an issue. 99.99% of users will only want the enhanced holiday footage. Nolans creek, Fraser Island air shots. But 1 or 2 will want something more sinister and they are the ones legislation is written for.

[Jeff]

I think that as out doors people they offer a great extension to our photos/home movies. But because everybody thinks someone wants to invade they privacy it is becoming an issue. 99.99% of users will only want the enhanced holiday footage. Nolans creek, Fraser Island air shots. But 1 or 2 will want something more sinister and they are the ones legislation is written for.

So once again the majority are punished for the evils of a small minority, or even the perceived evils. :(

Jeff

:rocket:

[goingbush]

Have you seen the Lily camera - amazing technology

https://www.lily.camera


Ive got a Walkera QR X350 Pro, I consider myself a (once) skilled Radio Control pilot, experimenting in 3D Hoverbatics and VTOL before GPS / gyros and autopilots were commonplace ,

But Ive still crashed the Drone a number of times and its on its 3rd body shell now. They are bloody dangerous - even if you know how to fly. The last time it cut out dead and dropped 100 feet to the ground - upside down - like a dead spider. Could quite easily cause major injury.


That said they are a remarkable platform for travel photography.
(still yet to find Lasseters reef tho)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjs2ZOM1yZM

[winaje]

GB, what camera are you using under that?

[goingbush]

Its the "I-Look" camera that the drone came equipped with. the video looks wishy washy thanks to youtube detecting shaky video and I stupidly said yes to fix it.

I just fitted a new gimbal to the drone so next efforts should be smoother.

[Brad110]

Do you get live relay of footage display onto pad or phone?

The footage is great.

It would be great in the Bungles or Kings Canyon.

Thanks.

[goingbush]

yes, I have the Walkera Devo7 transmitter , which has FPV (first person view)

so once you have flown the drone into position you then look at the screen and control the camera . Problem being I need reading glasses to see the screen but sunglasses to see the drone - its like juggling.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/05/192.jpg

Professional drones have 2 operators, one to fly and one to work the camera.

the video is recorded to an SD card in the camera.

heres another clip, all that empty space and I still land in a tree !!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2w9c1rFxtE

[Bushie]

Landing in a tree - pfft - easy


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_1fch6Jk84

Great for getting a different point of view though.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QoHDtVBqFM

More practice more, practice that's my aim.

Martyn

[goingbush]

Awesome work Martyn, is that a DJI or a Walkera ?

[Bushie]

DJI - with GoPro3

Martyn

[pop058]

These drones with cameras are getting popular :D
Qld police drones take to the skies (http://www.skynews.com.au/business/tech/2015/05/28/qld-police-drones-take-to-the-skies.html?cid=BP_RSS_sn-technology_1_qld-police-drones-take-to-the-skies_280515)

[Bushie]

NSW police/anti terrorist ran an exercise out of our office a few months back testing drones, they were operating the drone maybe 2-3km away flying it along a fire trail, and beaming images (FPV) back via (I think) microwave links. Was quite impressive.

(Thinking back it was probably 18 months ago :( )
Martyn

[Bytemrk]

Dredging up and old thread....

But it looks like I have some learning to do..... [biggrin][biggrin]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/04/931.jpg

[Chops]

So,, did you have to let go of the controls to take the drones selfie😳

[pop058]

So,, did you have to let go of the controls to take the drones selfie😳

Mine is GPS stabilised (?). You can put the controls (tablet) down and the drone hovers.

[Bytemrk]

So is this....

But the first challenge for me is to learn to fly and all the magic tricks it does, before I then get to start taking pictures with it..... Not being a gamer means my skill level with a pair of joysticks is quite limited, so hopefully more good images than crashes ...[bighmmm] . Just need practise i think.

......amazing tech though, should be fun.

[ozeraser]

Their fairly easy from the viewpoint of you you get bent out of shape just let go of controls and it will stop

Here is my quick shot from last weekend


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhcbo8nrKdY

DJI Phantom 4, initial chase of landrover is in standard flight mode, final chase shot is sports mode at 75kph. Insane but awesome, however in case anyone is wondering my other half was flying and I was driving.

[Tins]

VERY cool. Looking over your shoulder just a little bit??

[DiscoMick]

Relatives were on a fast moving cruise ship last year and a bloke was showing off flying his new drone. Unfortunately something went wrong (not sure what) and the drone was left behind and crashed into the ocean. Not happy.

[Ancient Mariner]

Just a quick pic on a day thwarted by to much smoke for video