Drones for Wildlife Protection

Found this article interesting. A firm called, Air Shepard, has joined forces with the South African Government to operate Drones with thermal imaging camera to catch poaches of endangered species in the outback.

http://news.discovery.com/tech/night-flying-drones-fight-poachers-in-africa-160309.htm

Game keepers have their work cut out trying to enforce the law on poaching when faced with protecting thousands of square miles of land. Drones make the perfect weapon in their fight.

This just shows, with the right application, Drones really are the tool of the future.

TU!

 

Birds vs Drones

I have not posted in months and months, i have so much going on, however i found this Dutch news article just now, and had to post it.

I definitely plan on writing much more over the coming weeks.

http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2016/02/84330-2/

1000 UAS Operators in UK

1036 as of September 2015.

The 1000 Milestone, was reached some time in the last month. I tend to keep an eye on the CAA register to see who is who. On the 2nd Feb, i blogged about the CAA UAS database, which at the time had 483 registered Pilots. I predicted 1250 licensed pilots by Feb 2016, so lets wait to see if i’m right. I think i might have under estimated!

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/1995/SUA%20Operators%2011Sep15.pdf

Hopefully it won’t be long until a proper UAS Pilots register is established. This needs to happen. From the perspective of the public, business and actual UAS companies. A central hub for all things UAS in the UK is essential.  Place for Pilots to register their business, share comments and ideas (not like facebook forums – a blog for later!). A source of information for the Public and Business, to access clear and concise information about legal UAS operations, and a place to actually source a qualified UAS company.

The CAA register is great for those in the know, but as of yet, this isn’t particular user friendly, and not at all publicised by the CAA. I know there are a few ‘not for profit’ organisations that have set up similar things. But the problem with ‘not for profit’, is that it is completed in peoples spare time, and without significant personal funding, will never get properly exposed to the public……..

…..Which really needs to happen. A BBC report released a few hours, states that 3 Police Forces confirm over 200 complaints from the public about Drones this last year.

First off, there is absolutely no context for this report, which is kind of annoying. A what constitutes a ‘rightful’ complaint? How many of these are just people calling the Police because they think someone is actually spying on them…from 100 meters away, on a go pro camera, erm yeah.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34607121

It would be good to know how many of the 200, the Police actually followed up on.

Anyways more point is this, with ever growing numbers of registered UAS operators, more of the public buying them for recreation, and an increased number of complaints, surely now is the time for proper legislation, insurance for all and a proper UAS Pilots database.

Thumbs Up Gents!

DJI – Love em, Hate em. & The OSMO!

So i haven’t posted in a while, i have been busy, not being a UAS Pilot, and busy being a ground based camera man. Yorkshire weather isn’t the best. Today i got to fly, i filmed a Garden Nursery, which was nice!

Anyway this post is a quick rant, aimed right at DJI.

My Inspire 1 was damaged on 28th Aug (i drove over it – yup, that actually happened) and i sent it off to DJI to get fixed. Still waiting for the final price, but they have initially quoted 2000 Euros!!!!! For a snapped Boom Arm. Well im waiting on their response to my strongly worded email – more on that in another post.

Today DJI have released the OSMO, you probably won’t get your hands on one till mid Nov, maybe Christmas, but i for one will be buying it. As i mentioned today, i have been using my GH4, which i bought because most of my clients need ground as well as aerial footage, and the DJI have taken months to release, the OSMO.

This is my issue. I love DJI. Im my opinion they rival Apple in terms of their pure imagination and epic product design. But like Apple, they have two issues. They have a tendency to rob us of our money in broad daylight, and we like it. And secondly their customer service, is frankly shit.

Apple is the only company that makes you wait a week to get a problem fixed that they usually cause. So many times i’ve had to visit the ‘genius bar’ to get a stupid problem fixed with my iPhone. But i love my iPhone/s, and my iPads, and Macs, so i put up with it.

To be fair to Apple, at least there is somewhere in the UK, that you can actually go to fix it………….

Now DJI have finally released the OSMO – I love them. BUT. I also hate them, and for good reason. First off, they released details of this product months ago, to such fan fair, it seemed like it was due for immanent release. So we waited.

And we waited.

And we got sick of waiting. So most Inspire users, decided to sack off waiting, and bought a GH4 and a Ronin. Then they released the much better (my opinion), much cheaper (fact!) Ronin M. With a good lens, kiss good buy to £4000.

Dont get my wrong, the  GH4 with a Ronin M is epic (much better than the X3, but better than the new X5, sure there will be a video comparisons up soon), but professional standard epic. TV and Movie production quality. Not an Inspire Pilot, who originally, just wanted to get some good ground shots, and not look like a tit, holding his Inspire, in hand, running around like a fool. The OSMO, means you can now do this and look cool!

I know so many people who have decided to go down the GH4 Ronin route, who would have defiantly NOT had this been out sooner. Yes they are getting better quality footage, £4ks worth more? Don’t know, but ill ask one of them!

And another thing, and i’m sure someone else has thought this, but i can’t find it anywhere. How much is the OSMO without the X3? The promo acknowledges, Inspire users and states we can attach our camera to the OSMO, but i cant find a price for it without the new black OSMO camera that comes packaged????

AND ON THIS POINT – HOW CAN YOU ONLY CHARGE £100 MORE FOR THE OSMO, THAN AN INSPIRE X3 CAMERA IS ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://store.dji.com/product/osmo

http://store.dji.com/product/zenmuse-x3-gimbal-camera

Are you telling me that the Handheld Gimbal and all accessories, but excluding the X3 camera are only £100? Does this mean Inspire owners will be able to buy the OSMO for £100? Of course not, but imagine how annoyed people like me are, when last month we bought a new X3 Camera, for £450, and less than a month later, for only £100 more, you can get a brand new cool looking black X3 and handheld stabilised awesome thingy? DJI this is a harsh, some might even say, total bastard move.

I don’t actually think the OSMO is over priced. I don’t think DJI have much of a choice with the price point on this product, but i do think the x3 and the Phantom models are over priced.  Im just really annoyed that i wasted £450 on a new camera, and now i need to spend £550, to get what i have been holding out for since April, May, not sure when, but ages.

But maybe, this is more DJI genius. Get everyone excited about the Inspire, delay shipping, release it, everyone goes mad to own one. Make a killing. Tease the Osmo, people go crazy with anticipation. Then deiced to buy a Ronin M. Then decide to buy an S900 and attach the GH4. S900 sell well again. Then release the OSMO, and everyone goes mad again, and even the GH4/Ronin/S900 owners, who still have their Inspires, will also go mad, and buy one, because once again DJI release something amazing. Maybe this was their plan all along.

Damn, my brain hurts, this was only supposed to be a quick rant about the price difference between a x3 and the OSMO! Anyway i for one will be placing an order, as soon as i can buy the OSMO and use my own X3 and save up for a X5, eventually!

TU

106MPH Drone, From Sony!?!?

I loved my Sony Walkman, i loved my Sony Discman even more…. then in 1994, came the Sony Playstation, and as a fourteen year old boy, i discovered true love.   I even had a Sony 12inch colour TV in my bedroom to boot. In short all my tech from the age of 9 to 19 was Sony. Then Apple happened. I’ve looked around the house, and i don’t own a single Sony product anywhere in my house.

This is potentially set to change? Here is the new DRONE from SONY and its does 106MPH!!!!! What?!?!?

Ok, so it isn’t going to be a Phantom killer, its unlikely you’ll find it under the tree this Christmas, but and its a big BUT, if this is successful, you can be Sony will create a Consumer of Prosumer Drone.

Think about that for a second. Think what a company like Sony could do, considering its lineage, with a Drone, the Playstation 5 (sic) and VR/Oculus. Think about how cool a micro-drone whizzing around your living room, shooting virtual enemies, would be. Yes please.

You’ll find all the low down here – http://bgr.com/2015/08/25/sony-drone-prototype-speed/

Thumbs Up Sony!

EDIT – should have inserted at the start of the blog. I knew nothing of this. And considering the past year Sony had, i’m both, one, amazed i didn’t know about Sony developing a UAS sooner, and two, hope it goes well for them; Sony you were a huge part of my youth, cheers!

Can you earn a living as UAS Pilot?

Yes.

That was quick! End of blog.

Ok, its not as simple as that, in all honestly it depends on your goal, your previous background and your determination.

First thing you need to consider is, what do i want to be? Sounds weird, but with our industry in its infancy, its a poignant question. In essence do you want to be a MD of your own company, or do you want to actually JUST fly UAS?

In 2020, there are expected to be 150,000 people across the EU, employed in the UAS sector. But unless you are a tech whizz, in which case, you wouldn’t be reading  this. In 2015, most people joining our industry, are technically the ‘middle man’ (more on that in a moment) you want to be a UAS Pilot, use your Inspire or Phantom to film golf courses, weddings, properties etc.

If this is the case, you need to think of yourself as a Managing Director first, Financial Director Second, Sales Manager Thirdly, and Pilot Finally.

You need to decide your market strategy, look at the financial implications associated with setting up the business and the profit you can make, then you need to go out and make the sales! Then, and only then can you think about flying.

I have run six different business in my time. Some successful, some not so much. But this taught me the value lesson of business acumen. There are lots of people in our industry who have none. They think because they are making money they do, but this is misguided, and it won’t belong before those ‘who do know business’ make their presence known.

This is why i said, Yes, at the start of this blog. It is becoming a saturated market, but if you are a savvy business person first, and drone enthusiast second, you will go far. Potentially very far.

I am part of a few popular forum, last week for example, a guy posted that he has made £1000 since March. I know a guy who owns a small UAS company in Doncaster who makes that a day. Im not kidding you, i have done a few days for him when he gets a big client (he isn’t the best pilot in the world, and he would acknowledge that, but this guy, man, this guy has a business model that works, and turns over £4000 a week at the moment!!!!)

In my home town, Doncaster, there are already three UAS companies. I have gotten to know them both, and we already have worked together, and sent work to each other that we cant fit in, or complete to the level the client might want.

If you just want to be a UAS Pilot, unless you live in the City, you might struggle to make a living right now. There simply aren’t enough large UAS companies that are hiring. I know, i also run a UAS Recruitment company!

Having your BNUC-s or RPQS or similar isn’t a bad thing, and it will only be a matter of time before companies will look to employ their own UAS Pilot, internally. But in the mean time, the work will go to well known and well connected UAS Pilots. Those who already know well placed people, will be successful. And those who embrace the challenges of running a small business and how to approach your client base in the most effective manner….just don’t relay on google ads, get yourself out there and think differently…..

…….this isn’t meant to brag or show off, its just to get you to think about your sales approach differently. OH yeah, I didn’t find the client OR make the sale, I was outsourced to be the Pilot, but a few weeks ago i was paid, £650 for 2 hours work, for flying over a tents for small local business!!!! I would never have even thought to approach a business like that.

The work is out there, you just need to go and find it, it won’t come to you.

TU

Drones Do Good

For the general public, the only time they hear or see a UAS in the news, is a negative story… an idiot trying to take down a plane or the Army blowing up a wedding…. so its always good to see a positive spin on Drones.

Unfortunately  in this instance, their positive use, was in a very negative story; the huge explosion in Tianjin, China.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-33901950

Not sure what was used to capture the images, a Phantom, i assume. Regardless of platform, it just shows how, in the right hands, Drones can be so versatile and useful.

It was back in April 2015, Drone again proved their worth in Nepal. A major earthquake, rocked the country and killed thousands, Drones were used to access areas helicopters couldn’t reach, and helped rescuers and journalists see the devastation from ‘relative’ safely.

It will be interesting to see how emergency services adopt and utilise UAS around the world. They are cheap and easy to use, it wont be long before they are staple equipment for any rescues service.

lets hope thats sooner rather than later.

TU!

Source – http://www.bbcnews.co.uk

UTM – Traffic System for Drones!

Plans have been unveiled by Internet giants, Google, and NASA and 13 other Tech companies, including Amazon, for an air-traffic control system for drones.

Aptly named, the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Traffic Management system.

The US Government, has up till recently had its ‘head in the sand’ regarding the commercial use of Drones. The FAA only recently granted Amazon (and others) exception to trail the ‘Prime Air’ delivery service, on US soil. Amazon had been testing their new delivery system, over the boarder in Canada.

Rather than let the air be clogged with unruly, unregulated unmanned UAS,  the US Government is seeking to work with the private sector to create rules of the aerial road.

The move comes after a series of incidents involving drones, including crashes at national parks and on the White House grounds. Yet, for some businesses, the regulations can’t come fast enough.

“A UAS traffic management (UTM) system for low-altitude airspace is needed, much like today’s surface vehicles that operate within a system consisting of roads, lanes, stop signs, rules, and lights, regardless of whether the vehicle is automated or driven by a human,”

NASA said on its website.

“While incorporating lessons learned from the well-established ATM system, which grew from a mid-air collision over the Grand Canyon in the early days of commercial aviation, the UTM system would enable safe and efficient low-altitude airspace operations by providing services such as airspace design, corridors, dynamic geofencing, severe weather and wind avoidance, congestion management, terrain avoidance, route planning and re-routing, separation management, sequencing and spacing, and contingency management,” the agency continued.

This can only be a good thing for our industry, and if something takes off in America, you can bet its going to take off in the UK too!

Will the CAA be as flexible and forthcoming as the FAA appear to be? Possibly not. Although there is now formal discussion on UAS delivery services, there is no mention of the actual practicalities. As i have discussed before, there needs to be a radical change in public perception of Drones, a change in rules for un-aided line of slight flights, and finally an improvement in UAS technology; both GPS and Battery life…..

Another factor is location. There is still no mention to the use of Drones for delivery, in congested areas. This might be one reason why Drone delivery might work in the US but not UK. We are a much much smaller country, things are more compact… any flight in the UK will most likely be into or over a congested area. This might not be the case in more remote areas of the US.

Anyways any UAS news that is not another ‘fly away’ or crash, can only be a good thing, and with Institutions like NASA and corporate giants like Google and Amazon, firmly on the band wagon, this are beginning to move in a more positive direction.

TU

Source – Phil Fantino

Source – https://www.rt.com/usa/310705-drone-air-traffic-control/

DJI Inspire Firework Explosion

For American’s the last week has been a been a celebration. For the rest of us, its a chance to laugh, at some Americans, celebrating!

Check out this clip of a DJI Inspire firing rockets at two young scamps, and the Inspire eventually crashing to the ground, totalled.  (oh and sorry for the 30 second ad that you cant avoid!)

http://www.wired.com/2015/07/strap-fireworks-to-drone/

I don’t think the guys explanation for what happened is correct. I think that the case of left rocket explodes and breaks the rear left prop, and the Inspire comes crashing down.

Anyways i guess if you have rich parents, you can afford to attach rockets to a £3000 UAS, and when you trash it ‘go buy a new one’!

TU

Selling Yourself – UAS Sales Tips

I haven’t posted anything in weeks. I haven’t stopped. Since my PFAW came through. I really miss writing my little blog.

So, this is a post i plan on adding to over the next few weeks, i just wanted to share a few pictures a friend and fellow UAS Pilot, Des Sterland of SkyHawx, took of my and my client at a local Golf Course.

I went in the see the Club back in May and offered to do a short promo video for free, as i hadn’t got my PFAW, and i wanted the experience…. my first tip, if you can get in the club pro, Golf Clubs are great places to meet the kind of people you need to meet in our industry. Its doubtful you can survive 365 days of the year, in the UK, from weddings, golf clubs and estate agents (which was originally my business plan, and many others new to the industry).

Most of these business will doubtfully, need your services, come the cold, rainy winter months…remember how much flight time you got between December and March?

I have learnt from working with SKEYEBV (more on that and them in a later post!), that if you really want to succeed in this industry and thrive, you need to make good contacts, and look more towards other industries. I don’t want to get in this now, thats a whole 3 hour writing sessions.

Anyways, back to my original comment, golf courses are great for contacts. I have already met and filmed couple of PGA Pros and on friday will be filming, Joe Miller, 2010 Long Drive Champion. There is mumbling with one or two well known golf brands as well. Mumblings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZhAc0b3NRs

My point is this. Offering your services for free, isn’t a bad way to make good contacts. The people in this world, who run companies and earn lots of money, like Golf, its a fact, you know it is 🙂

Anyways i wanted to show you these great images, taken by Des, with a Sony Nex 5n. These are going on my own personal webpage and showreel – thanks Des.

And a huge thanks to Arron Hodkin, the soon to be Pro at Wheatley Golf Club, who have given me the keys to a Golf Buggy and given me free region of his beautiful course. I must have been back five times, just to enjoy the view and food on their patio.

Now i need to learn how to play golf…and dress appropriately!

Thumbs Up Wheatley!

http://www.wheatleygolfclub.co.uk/

http://www.skeyebv.com/

You can tell which one is me, the one not dress like a golfer! The Golf Pro, Aaron, is the one dress like a Golf Pro!