Drone Photography? (Page 5): "The OP asked specific questions and from what he was asking, I believe most of us would be inclined to think that the OP did not want to go through all...

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Lucian wrote:

That's very good that you went the part 107 route,... (show quote)

"The OP asked specific questions and from what he was asking, I believe most of us would be inclined to think that the OP did not want to go through all that you are putting"

Lucian,

I AM the OP. I did not have any questions. Not am I "going through all that". I'm only having fun learning some new stuff.

Robg

bsprague wrote:

"I live close to an uncontrolled airport but LAANC is not available outside controlled airspace."

Which airport? I can look it up on a "sectional" chart and try to figure out the airspace. It will be a good test of what I think I'm learning in my course.

Thank you for the offer.

The airport is Wings Field in or near Blue Bell, PA.

My DJI Fly app shows on its map that I am in an 'Enhanced warning zone' but not in the 'Authorization zone'. On the map, the latter looks like the flight path for take off and landing. The app also seems to imply that flying in the former, the warning zone, is permitted, whereas it's not permitted without authorization in the 'Authorization zone.'

Robg

Lucian wrote:

FAA can often be surprisingly helpful. It's not always their old motto of "The FAA is not happy, until you're not happy". You can't just fly your drone, even at 70ft AGL, legally, if you are within the specified airspace around an airport. Just because you are unable to contact anyone, does not give you the right to just go and fly, of course. Just talk it over with your local FAA office, they'll be happy and you'll be happy.

Thank you for the advice. I'll certainly take it into consideration. Your positive experience may be enough to offset all of my negative experiences with a large variety of government beauraucrats.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Robg wrote:

Thank you for the offer.

The airport is Wings Field in or near Blue Bell, PA.

My DJI Fly app shows on its map that I am in an 'Enhanced warning zone' but not in the 'Authorization zone'. On the map, the latter looks like the flight path for take off and landing. The app also seems to imply that flying in the former, the warning zone, is permitted, whereas it's not permitted without authorization in the 'Authorization zone.'

I found the airport! First glance suggests that directly above is Class E airspace starting at 700 feet above the ground. Above that is a section of the Philadelphia Class B airspace that starts at 3500 feet above mean sea level. I think that means you can fly a drone there up to the legal max of 400 feet AGL.

Before you do fly your drone there, I want to do some more checking today. East coast airspace is complicated!

Robg

bsprague wrote:

I found the airport!...
Before you do fly your drone there, I want to do some more checking today. East coast airspace is complicated!

Thanks! Looking forward to see what else you find.

alemorkam Loc: Central Florida

THe DJI Mini 2 is very quiet, comparably.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

alemorkam wrote:

THe DJI Mini 2 is very quiet, comparably.

I too have the DJI Mini 2. Since this is a photographer's forum, my view is that there are only two reasonable choices for useful image quality right now. The Mini 2 is the first at $450 to $600. The other is that DJI Mavic Air 2S. At $1000 to $1300, it is bigger, has a larger sensor, is "stronger" and has a few useful more operational features. The price differences have to do with accessories, primarily extra batteries.

Robg

bsprague wrote:

I too have the DJI Mini 2.

I also have the Mini 2, after starting with the original Mini (or Mini1). My son has the Mavic. Other than price, already mentioned, and the Mini 2's weight which allows it to be unregistered, the other important difference which is one where the Mavic beats the Mini is on downward and upward automatic collision detection/evasion. The Mavic will avoid obstacles below and above, but with the Mini it's up to the operator.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Robg wrote:

I also have the Mini 2, after starting with the original Mini (or Mini1). My son has the Mavic. Other than price, already mentioned, and the Mini 2's weight which allows it to be unregistered, the other important difference which is one where the Mavic beats the Mini is on downward and upward automatic collision detection/evasion. The Mavic will avoid obstacles below and above, but with the Mini it's up to the operator.

"but with the Mini it's up to the operator" which is why most airplanes that haul humans around still have real pilots.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Robg wrote:

Thanks! Looking forward to see what else you find.

I found out a lot! I posted my analysis in a Pilot Institute study group. It was confirmed correct. The FAA version is that you are in clear to fly airspace.

That study group discussion lead me to the confusion of what DJI uses to maintain safe airspace decisions against how the FAA does it. Although both are based on sound data, the logic (or lack of logic!) in their processes varies.

If you want a more clear explanation if how and why the systems are different, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaNbsBudbWI

Robg

bsprague wrote:

I found out a lot!

If you want a more clear explanation if how and why the systems are different, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaNbsBudbWI

Thanks to you now I've found out a lot too!

The you tube video you linked was extreme useful and tied a whole bunch of stuff together for me.

I can't thank you enough!

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Robg wrote:

Thanks to you now I've found out a lot too!

The you tube video you linked was extreme useful and tied a whole bunch of stuff together for me.

I can't thank you enough!

You are very welcome. If it weren't for your question, I would not have figured it out either.

flip1948 Loc: Hamden, CT

bsprague wrote:

Thank you! I was blind that it existed.

But...you posted there?

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-728270-1.html