[jedalton]

thanks for the videos

[jedalton]

what type of drone and camera do you use?

[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by jedalton

what type of drone and camera do you use?

A DJI Phantom 4 Pro with a 4K video/20MP still camera and the software Litchi for autonomous flights.

[CentralNYer]

Really well done and quite informative -- thanks for your efforts !

[HeyGeorge]

What modifications have you made to the drone to make it visible for the distances you are flying?

[chward]

This is fabulous. We’re building a new house in MCClure from Ohio and we’d love to see a fly by of our area once in a while!! Great jib

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by HeyGeorge

What modifications have you made to the drone to make it visible for the distances you are flying?

My guess is he doesn’t. Since he’s using “autonomous” software I would guess he just programs in the route, says bye-bye and waits for it to (hopefully) return home by GPS. Seems to work great. [emoji106]

[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

My guess is he doesn’t. Since he’s using “autonomous” software I would guess he just programs in the route, says bye-bye and waits for it to (hopefully) return home by GPS. Seems to work great. [emoji106]

Actually, I use a Firehouse Technologies Strobe kit and sometimes a spotter depending on the location I'm flying in. As most of what I'm flying over lately is empty land it's pretty easy to see. The remote give me direction on where to look for the aircraft if I loose track of it and the strobes help a lot. I've been blessed with pretty good vision as well, which some of the guys I golf with don't seem to appreciate.

The autonomous flight software is mainly used for smooth filming as it can perform smooth transitions in direction, altitude, and camera angle in flight much better than I can. Almost every autonomous flight is flown manually two or three times before I let the aircraft and software run free with the programed path. Yesterday's flight between SR44 and the Turnpike was only about 11 minutes actual flight time, setup and check flights took well over an hour and burned through two batteries (25 min flight time each battery) making sure the flight and aircraft were safe at the 150 foot altitude of the first leg of the flight.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

Actually, I use a Firehouse Technologies Strobe kit and sometimes a spotter depending on the location I'm flying in. As most of what I'm flying over lately is empty land it's pretty easy to see. The remote give me direction on where to look for the aircraft if I loose track of it and the strobes help a lot. I've been blessed with pretty good vision as well, which some of the guys I golf with don't seem to appreciate.

The autonomous flight software is mainly used for smooth filming as it can perform smooth transitions in direction, altitude, and camera angle in flight much better than I can. Almost every autonomous flight is flown manually two or three times before I let the aircraft and software run free with the programed path. Yesterday's flight between SR44 and the Turnpike was only about 11 minutes actual flight time, setup and check flights took well over an hour and burned through two batteries (25 min flight time each battery) making sure the flight and aircraft were safe at the 150 foot altitude of the first leg of the flight.

Very very impressive! Do you think I can do that with my drone?

[sal53]

Thanks, can’t wait for more!!!👍🏼

[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

Very very impressive! Do you think I can do that with my drone?

It might take an extra battery or two and I would bring your mudding boots and clothes because you likely need to stay close to the bird. But anything is possible given enough effort, money helps too.

[HeyGeorge]

[QUOTE=Goldwingnut;1558511]Actually, I use a Firehouse Technologies Strobe kit

I'll have to try those. The Strobon units which are recommended by the FAA are difficult to see during daylight hours once you get out 1 1/2 miles. They work well at night.

Still waiting for a BLOS authorization from the FAA.

[Goldwingnut]

Still waiting for a BLOS authorization from the FAA.

BLOS would be great! I think it's not long unit it's approved with some stipulations and restrictions as the technology and FPV capabilities has improved greatly in the last few years.