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06 April 2023
By Dennis Lobos Palma
In these more than 11 years flying drones and more than 20 as a radio control pilot, I have been involved with this wonderful technology since its inception, watching closely how everything changed faster than expected. It all began as a hobby and became a way of life. Starting so long ago gives you skills that are hard to get when starting today, basically because the technology wasn't as advanced 10 years ago as it is now. So to achieve something you had to work much harder than you should now. I built my first FPV drone in September 2014, and today we are with high resolution, low latency and long range transmission - plus you can buy it built, configured and flying smoothly (even with 1080p transmission).
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/ESv2y7oMJHn9QcPdDtouR2QbUCX80DjxDEixMM39.jpg" alt="" width="324" height="432" />
Livestreaming with Promovie Aeronautics. Lollapalooza Chile, 2020. At that time multi motors were not as advanced as now, but also unreliable, and people were not yet ready to understand that this area would have such amazing growth. Being part of this field since long ago has its advantages, such as a perfect understanding of all the components, configurations, adjustments, failures, updates, etc. And besides, the experience that makes you a very good pilot. You didn't have the countless assists you have today, such as sensors, compass, GPS, apps, HD streaming, or decent mobile internet. Each operation made you feel like a protagonist. The evolution came sooner rather than later, and the increase in pilots was exponential.
I have been involved in countless operations over the years, from not having a gimbal on the drone or even how to stream the video from the camera to have a view of what you were recording, this has changed over time and now you have the option to move the camera independent of the drone, even being able to have 1080p video on both controls and screens. All this is important to mention since new users believe that when this started, it did what it looks like today. There are a lot of examples of how this has changed over time and we know that it won't stop.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/NEPvqvr80tyFov2oN9kVUooVtMIsfDdgjH3Z6lWX.jpg" alt="" width="696" height="464" />
Relaunch and expansion of the Public Safety with Drones Program for the Government of Chile, together with the Minister of Crime Prevention Katherine Martorell Awad, 2021. I have worked for television channels, sporting events, and commercials, made the first transmissions for television in HD in my country, been to important catastrophes, and participated in all the evolution of the area in my country. Among other things, I participated in the development of tethered ballons for the forestry companies in Chile. I am the first pilot certified in my country by the DGAC (FAA in Chile) in 2015, and since it was one of the first countries to accredit its pilots, I was the first in America. Not only was I the first along with my partner at that time (who did not fly drones but saw the administrative part of the company) but we also developed civil liability insurance that did not exist at that time (for drones) and we managed to make it accepted by government institutions, thus avoiding that they demand that our clients be co-responsible for any accident. We were the first because I flew daily for important jobs, even with the President of the Republic (Bachelet at that time), so complying with the regulations was imperative.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/TtySqYqvfOUW23igWzOYETF87sdfGDzxwbsjXiHu.jpg" alt="" width="672" height="504" />
Exhibition in front of the Government House of President Sebastián Piñera.
I was working like this for years until 2019, when I was recruited by Videocorp S.A., a company that had the aerial security tender with drones in the capital of my country. I was the supervisor and pilot-in-chief for almost two years, flying 5.5 effective hours daily (sometimes more) as part of the safe street program. The objective of which, more than anything else, was to monitor the city, guard important places, and obtain images and video to bring those responsible to justice. Two weeks after it started, a two-year period of extremely violent protests began in Chile, which were daily, surprising, and coordinated; Therefore, our objectives were modified and we went from flying in relatively calm situations to flying with a bulletproof vest, helmet and doing everything possible to avoid receiving damage from a Molotov, flying objects, or people. In addition to avoiding being photographed, protecting the equipment and being able to move safely from a monitoring location to the offices. This was done from Monday to Sunday 24/7, and I was in charge of making sure everything worked well, as well as being the pilot who carried out the most complicated operations, all due to my many years of experience. I developed training sessions for new pilots with great success, and I was in charge of ensuring that the equipment worked correctly. After going through this job I moved to the most prominent and important company of topography with Drones in Chile, they insisted for months so I could go and work with them. I was part of the mining, inspection, photogrammetry, and topography area of the company Surveying Control Systems LTDA. Arrived there new and without knowledge in the area (but as an expert in drones) with colleagues who had been there for years. Within a few months I became the main pilot and Supervisor of pilots; working, for example, with equipment such as Lidar Yellowscan, GNSS Trimble, Vtols, Multirotors, and bathymetry. Consider also that this was done in the mountains, at sea level, in the desert, in the snow, in remote places, etc. And within the most important mining companies in my country and the world, flying with strong winds, high and low altitude following the mining pits, far away, with dirt, cold, heat, between constructions, among others difficulties. Safety regulations in these places are extreme and the level of paperwork was too, so you have to dedicate yourself to doing it right.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/nRl6V58Ee6dZ4Ibf1Piqk6hIuFQmO2sVXazsWzkB.jpg" alt="" width="707" height="530" />
Launching program "Calle Segura" (safe street) together with the Police, for the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Crime Prevention, 2019. Over time I always remained linked to the company that I had from the beginning, so whenever I had free time I did work there, participating in interesting projects and making alliances with other companies, and contributing with my experience as a pilot and as a lover of technology. I could write all day if I wanted to describe everything I've done, the drones I've flown and the good and bad situations I've experienced in the field, as well as anecdotes; but it's so extensive and fits in another story. On June 29, 2022, I came to the United States with my family and my two dogs, all thanks to the company NTGroup, in which I am a Manager. I make alliances with companies that want to have training services, require services related to drone advice, or looking to evaluate a new business. One of these alliances is the company USA Drone Academy, which asks me as a chief instructor to train new pilots, enhance the performance of advanced pilots, and prepare people for the Part 107 License exam. Giving conferences in schools, companies, and even in other countries. Exhibitions of drone performance, configuration, autonomous flights, etc. I am a brand ambassador.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/7veAU5Ja1Sxqtf7p3kLOjD6QFoolqrIkIRo9OMMG.jpg" alt="" width="682" height="511" />
Rig, circa 2019: DJI Matrice 210 (later updated to Matrice 300 RTK), liveU broadcast system with two controllers, 32 batteries&mdash;TB55 for 16 flights, 5.5 hours of flight time by shift.
I have met fascinating people in the United States, but I have incredible memories of my participation as a pioneer in the area in my country, where my employers still call me with the hope that I will return to Chile and work with them again.
It all started as a hobby and ended up being part of my life and the livelihood of my family.
<h5>Watch!</h5>
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Pilot's Story: Dennis Lobos Palma

26 January 2023
<a href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/pilot/joseph-mazzola" target="_blank" rel="noopener">By Joseph Mazzola</a>
2020 was a strange time to start a business, and I can&rsquo;t begin to discuss what led me to do so without first exploring the context surrounding its inception. We were hardly three months into a new year and decade when the growing COVID-19 pandemic escalated into a global crisis and spurred a domino effect of unintended consequences. Like many others, I found myself suddenly laid off and locked down as health systems faced overwhelming demands and organizations struggled to stay afloat. They say every ending is a new beginning, though, and that was certainly the case for me. Out of work and faced with a world of uncertainty, I started down a path I&rsquo;d never previously considered&mdash;starting my own drone business.
It started as a hobby. I bought my first drone in 2016, an inexpensive <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.amazon.com/Syma-Channel-2-4GHz-Explorers-Copter/dp/B00MNG37C2/ref=asc_df_B00MNG37C2/?tag=hyprod-20&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=312184153387&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=1717317373190000425&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=1023022&amp;hvtargid=pla-587640326317&amp;psc=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Syma X5C</a>. As a self-proclaimed movie-buff and a gamer, I&rsquo;d been seeing the technology grow in popularity, and I wanted to see if I could get a grip on this innovative technology. As soon as it arrived, I immediately discovered the cost-learning curve&mdash;that is, the less you spend on a drone, the harder it is to fly, since there are fewer stabilizing features such as GPS to assist with the flight.
This may have been a good thing, though. I had an aerial platform that could reliably continue working after a crash, and a drive to continue learning new things. Bringing it along on hikes was a win-win; I began to hone my skills, and my German Shepherd got routine exercise chasing it around. In 2018, I bought my first DJI drone, a yellow Spark I aptly named Bumblebee. The difference was night and day. Without having to worry about simply keeping the drone in the air and not crashing into a tree, I was able to begin experimenting with the HD photo and video potential it offered, and suddenly a world of possibility was unlocked.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/Wgp1GhwI9KnZZyPVOmr2nYHALEtKLLKZ5c9bL0Om.png" alt="" width="454" height="302" />
"Bumblebee"
I&rsquo;ve always had an appreciation for the arts but never really considered myself to be talented in that regard. But, I&rsquo;ve always loved music. Experimenting with nature and travel clips enabled me to explore the possibilities of syncing footage I shot with soundscapes that matched the atmosphere I was hoping to convey, and suddenly, I discovered a new medium to channel my creativity. This new form of expression further encouraged me to try new things and visit new places, and as I shared my video projects, I was surprised by the positive feedback I&rsquo;d begun to receive from friends and family.
Finally having a creative outlet was nice enough, but I soon learned that with a Part 107 license, I could even make money doing it. However, life felt busy enough as it was. I was barely out of graduate school living a commuter lifestyle here in New York, and after three years of a challenging work/life balance, where would I find the time to get a start pursuing a side hustle in drones?
Well, that brings us back to 2020, and the unintended consequences of a global pandemic. Suddenly, I had too much time, too many regrets, and nowhere to put my energy. I came across an ad and discovered <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.droneproacademy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Drone Pro Academy</a>, an online course offering training for aspiring Drone Pilots. This course was instrumental in getting me started. Not only did I manage to improve my flight dexterity and photography/videography skills, it also laid the foundation for me to study for my Part 107 license and begin forming a business.
I spent most of the Spring and Summer doing just that. I&rsquo;d passed the exam, developed a website, and filed my articles of organization to launch my LLC, but I drew primarily from my academic background to build the business on a limitless vision &ndash; to provide a service for individuals and businesses interested in drone imaging , and to create aerial art. To do so, I was going to need better equipment, which led me to invest in a DJI Mavic Air 2 and subsequently an Air 2S. By the Fall of 2020, I was up and running as <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="http://www.dreamscapeaerials.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dreamscape Aerials, LLC</a>, and better yet, my first client had found me.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/ZTjfpoO3LuloVeJWZpA8Bi5eiUOJ4NpK4T5nfLk5.png" alt="" width="434" height="436" />
The Dreamscape Aerials Logo&mdash;Fall Theme.
It was rewarding to begin supporting local clients, but I knew I was merely scratching the tip of the iceberg in the drone industry. I began looking for opportunities to further grow in the field, and discovered a few companies that were building a network of Drone Pilots across the nation. I sent out a number of applications, and one invited me to train with them. In their program, I had the opportunity to fly the DJI Phantom and Matrice series, and to learn how to perform advanced operations such as inspections for infrastructure.
Following the training, I traveled across the US inspecting assets for this organization, participated as a trainer to instruct and evaluate a new cohort of Drone Operators, and would later lead a team of them in the northeast. The experience was instrumental in developing my knowledge, skills, and a network of colleagues in the drone industry, but even still, there is much more to learn.
I&rsquo;ve since gone on to work full-time with a solar company, inspecting roofs and crafting 3D models of residential and commercial properties. Working with them has offered local and stable employment, not to mention a much better work/life balance, while I continue to grow my business with the hopes of becoming fully independent in the next few years.
In 2022, I doubled my revenue from previous years and continued to diversify the services Dreamscape Aerials has to offer. We now have a store function up and running on our website to sell merchandise such as high-quality canvas prints, and have taken on bigger opportunities. Mastering FPV is a craft in and of itself, and as we progress, it will open a new avenue of possibilities through virtual tours and crafting awe-inspiring, dynamic shots.
The drone industry is continuing to show enormous potential, with the technology being adapted across various industries and applications. As a newfound entrepreneur, I&rsquo;m excited to continue immersing myself in the field. My startup, Dreamscape Aerials, LLC, is commercially licensed, insured and located in the heart of Long Island, NY. While we primarily support projects in the greater tri-state area, we&rsquo;re prepared to travel nationally and globally to support our clients and pursue any opportunities that come our way.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/BFa3IhhT77XZYSD9uJD22jlwBgv3veffzIScBb7Y.png" alt="" width="544" height="365" />
Joseph Mazzola&mdash;"Dreamscape Aerials, at your service."
<h5>Watch: Dreamscape Aerials 2022 Recap Video</h5>
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&nbsp;

Pilot Story: Joseph Mazzola

17 January 2023
By <a href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/pilot/omari-garrett" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Omari Garrett</a>
One of my favorite toys as a kid were remote control cars. I would get a new one every year for Christmas until I was 11 years old, when I saw for the first time, a remote control helicopter. It was in the Toys R Us Christmas booklet they would send out every year.
I thought this was the coolest toy ever and of course put it on my Christmas list. I knew it was an extreme long shot because it cost more than what my parents could afford for me, but I knew one day I would buy one when I got older. Never at that time did I imagine that flying aircraft with a remote would become a career.
As drones became more popular I knew I would eventually buy one for fun. I enjoyed photography, and at times would shoot weddings and events for my father&rsquo;s photography business. I had thoughts of using one as part of his business, but did not have the time to put my thoughts into action.
In late 2020, I had an opportunity to participate in a Part 107 prep course through Dart Drones. The course was exactly what I needed&mdash;not only to be ready for the exam, but also to light up my desire to jump into the world of drones. Within the next two months, I took and passed the exam to obtain my Part 107.
Around the time I took the exam, our family decided to relocate from Chicago to Arizona, so plans to begin using the Part 107 were put on hold for a few months until we got settled into our new home.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/7kINVuaYjfoxj6Lqs2syCOJugP54Q59RbaPxAHxq.jpg" alt="" width="305" height="281" />
In May 2021, I bought my first drone&mdash;the DJI Mavic Air 2S. I read and watched so many reviews on the best drone for beginners. That model was just recently released and it was receiving rave reviews. I felt nervous spending so much for a drone when my budget was around $700, but I felt that if I put the work in, then I&rsquo;ll be able to get that money back soon.
Now, the next thing for me to do was learn how to use the drone and learn how to make money using it.
I enrolled in the Aerial Video A to Z course through Drone Launch Academy. Through the course material, I learned flying, cinematography, and editing. I would go out every day for one or two hours, practice getting shots, and then editing the footage. I would also watch videos through YouTube, follow drone pilots through social media, and participate in drone pilot discussions on Clubhouse. I also got great advice and knowledge from my cousin, Brandan Stuckey, who had been a drone pilot for a few years.
I began feeling comfortable flying, so now it was time for me to start making some money. The first job that I secured was filming 7-on-7 for my cousin&rsquo;s high school football team. When I was living in Chicago, I worked for a high school and the football coach would use a drone to film their practices and games. So, I asked my cousin if I could use my drone to film his team. I figured it would be good practice and experience.
After I filmed the 7-on-7 games, I was invited to film their summer camp for pay. After the summer camp, I was then invited to join their staff for the season as an assistant coach to film their games and practices.
After that 2021 football season, my confidence level went up, so I began establishing my company, High Valley Drone Services, and also seeking out freelance opportunities through other companies. Now, I provide services for real estate, construction projects, roofing inspection, video production, weddings, and more. I am looking to move into mapping and thermal inspections in the beginning of 2023.
I love being in this industry and seeing the growth of the field. Everytime I put my drone in the air, I get the excitement of that 11-year-old boy who saw remote control helicopters in the Toys R Us booklet.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/EdXdkbz8uwYFxycUx1Sq8IHnFKlPRTZHNQghiuLT.jpg" alt="" width="451" height="338" />
Stuart Smith and The Droning Company have been a valuable resource for me throughout my Drone Pilot journey. Stuart reached out to me through Instagram in August 2021 to seek my interest in joining The Droning Company. His passion for drones and his vision for the company made it very easy for me to join. The Droning Company is the only company that I know of that connects you to drone jobs and does not take any commission.
I would recommend The Droning Company&nbsp;to any certified drone pilot who is looking for a user-friendly platform that allows you to create your own profile and find drone jobs.
Find Omari Garrett on <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/195858981@N03" target="_blank" rel="noopener">flickr</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@highvalleydrones8549" target="_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/og_air_photography/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>.

Pilot Story: Omari Garrett

25 October 2022
By Timothy Brazzel&nbsp;
I remember watching a YouTube video of a guy who had a DJI Mavic 2 drone. As I watched him fly it and capture video and photographic images, I knew this was something I wanted to do. In November 2018, I purchased my first drone for $300&mdash;a used Mavic Pro that I still own till this day.
At first, I was very nervous to fly it, but when I finally took it out for the first time, it was like an adrenaline rush. My intent was to use the drone for mainly commercial purposes. Then, I heard about part 107, and my excitement suddenly took a brief back seat. Understanding that I would have to pass a pilot test that consisted of questions related to the types of airspace, weather reports, and so on to fly commercially, I went through periods of uncertainty whether it would be worth it or not.
Like many other certified drone pilots, I took to YouTube to try to find a simple way to learn and understand what it takes to pass the part 107. I watched influencers such as Tony Northrup and Gary Glenn to build up my basic knowledge, but, at the time, the information seemed even more overwhelming.
Eventually, I gave up on it towards the end of 2019.
It wasn&rsquo;t until DJI released the Mavic 3 at the end of 2021, that my desire to obtain my part 107 resurfaced. At the beginning of 2022, I made up my mind to become a certified drone pilot. I paid for an online test prep at <a href="https://remotepilot101.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">remotepilot101.com</a> to help me prepare, and I felt confident enough to take my part 107 test in February 2022. I passed on my very first try with a score of 73 percent. I couldn&rsquo;t wait to share the great news with my family and friends.
While waiting for my hard-copy certification to come in the mail, I invested in a new drone&mdash;the Mavic 3. By March 2022, I had my certificate in hand, and I was ready to get to work flying my drone.
I quickly realized landing jobs would not be as easy as I thought.
Fortunately, I stumbled across an episode from Ken Dono&rsquo;s <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRFzPAm9-Ci1AdaDejvEi0g" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OriginaldoBo</a> YouTube channel, where he referred to The Droning Company as his main source for finding drone jobs.
I was curious, so I checked out The Droning Company for myself. I decided to subscribe, and within my first month, I received a job request from a 3D capture and digital-documentation company. To be honest, I was very surprised. I also didn&rsquo;t know what to expect, but it was a real job that provided paid training. All that was mainly required was the use of a certified drone pilot to capture data, and their team would take care of all the 3D processing and digital documentation.
I really appreciate what The Droning Company provides, because for $10 a month, you gain access to jobs where you take home the proceeds. The Droning Company doesn&rsquo;t take any commissions on the jobs pilots receive through it site.
I want to thank Stuart, Ben, Don, Chris, and the entire team for providing pilots a platform such as this. It was a privilege meeting all of them at the 2022&nbsp; Commercial UAV Expo. I would recommend The Droning Company to any certified drone pilot who is looking for a user-friendly platform that allows you to create your own profile and find drone jobs.
<h5>Watch Brazzel's Story</h5>
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<a href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/pilot/timothy-brazzel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">To Check Out&nbsp;Brazzel's Profile, Click Here.</a>

Timothy Brazzel's Drone Journey

14 October 2022
The Droning Company's Ben Behrooz interviews featured pilot <a href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/pilot/timothy-brazzel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Timothy Brazzel</a> at the recent 2022 Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas.
Brazzel is based in Southern California, and has currently logged more than 100 hours of flight time. His to-go drone is the <a href="https://www.dji.com/mavic-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DJI Mavic 3</a>, which helps him deliver the quality content and attention to detail that he strives for in his work.
<h5>WATCH!</h5>
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DRONE DIALOG: TIMOTHY BRAZZEL

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19 September 2022
By Luis Escobedo
I was asked by The Droning Company CEO Stuart Smith to write an article about drones and my role in the drone industry. I thought for some time&mdash;maybe too long&mdash;what I should write about it, and after talking to some people, I realized my added value in the drone industry relies on my background and how I have learnt to integrate my knowledge in one specific field: Farming.
I grew up in Mexico City. I have a bachelor&rsquo;s degree in International Relations, however, since 2008, I have been focused on renewable energies. I started working for a German company developing wind farms. Later, I moved to a French company, where my role was to develop solar farms, and, later, in 2016, I ended up working for a Spanish company developing wind and energy farms.
Part of my role in these companies was to scout potential sites where these kinds of renewable projects could to be built. I had to visit remote areas and talk to the farmers about the possibility of renting their land for an energy project. I started learning more about the value of the land, and how farmers work and make money. During the years 2008 to 2018, I was able to visit the 32 States of Mexico and get insights of dozens of farmers.&nbsp;
In 2018, I attended a solar-energy conference in San Francisco where I met Aerospec&rsquo;s CEO. Aerospec was a technology company focused on aerial thermography over solar farms. After some negotiations, I partnered with him to open the Mexican market. I quit my job and decided to sell this technology. Beneath our projects, we did the drone inspection of one of the largest solar farms in the world: Villanueva (848 megawatts) in Coahuila, Mexico.
<h5>WATCH!</h5>
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With the use of three drones and thermal cameras, we were able to scan 2.4 million solar panels in just seven days. By then, I was just in charge of coordinating my team. I didn&rsquo;t know how to fly a drone, however, the UAV industry seemed very exciting to me.&nbsp;
I decided to look online for drone training, and I found NJ Drone Academy. I called the manager and signed up for some training. I flew from Mexico and took as many drone courses as I could. I presented my FAA Part 107 exam (which I failed) and got back to Mexico with a wide understanding about the industry.
Later that year, I went back to California&mdash;but, this time, to Monterey, where I attended a PMA conference about technology and innovation in agriculture. There, I met Aerobotics and I was impressed by the idea of digital farming. I went back to Mexico and started reading and learning more about drones in farming.
By the end of 2019, I founded <a href="https://agro-byte.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AgroByte</a>.
I realized that if the world keeps farming the way it has done for the last few years, there is not going to be enough food to nourish ten-billion people in 2050. I decided to take the challenge and start doing something about it.
AgroByte is a company focused on helping farmers increase the yield of their crops by using drones, sensors, satellites, and specialized software. My idea has been to manage a farm as it has been done in solar and wind farms, focusing more on the preventive maintenance than in the corrective one.&nbsp;
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/gZavzsgJMLV5eMf67AgxV5kHNOtZOV7i9kaU2iyh.jpg" alt="" width="626" height="352" />
In June 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, NJ Drone Academy&rsquo;s owner sold me his business. I rebranded the Academy to Byte Drone Center, and besides giving drone training, I also started providing different drone services. In 2020, I decided to have a major focus in agriculture.
<h5>WATCH!</h5>
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Today, we have signed alliances with software companies, drone resellers, and insurance companies to become a one-stop shop for the farmer who wants to digitize and automate their farm.
After trying several drones, sensors, and software, I decided to work with DJI products for now, as it allows me to have a smoother workflow. We use a Phantom 4 Pro, a Phantom 4 RTK multispectral, a D-RTK 2 GNSS station, and a spraying drone, Agras T10. We use this hardware to collect imagery and execute missions, and we use software such as Pix4D Mapper, Pix4D Fields, Solvi, and Drone Deploy. The integration of this hardware and software helps us guide the farmer to make the best decisions. We can assess the crops' health, count plants, inspect and report disasters to crop insurance companies, and we can also provide some spraying services in certain fields&mdash;thanks to our collaboration with Part 137 certified company, Hawk Eye Spray Drone.&nbsp;
At this moment, we are working on getting our own Part 137 and the waiver to fly over 55 pounds, which would increase our efficiency.&nbsp;
I think farming has to change, and it will do so in the next five years. The United States has been a little bit slow in adopting this technology, because there are many regulations (as there should be). However, I don&rsquo;t think we are far away from having digital farming as a mainstream way of producing food.&nbsp;
<h5>Discover More...</h5>
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/vLfLgwqASl95m1VRYCoL3MIVzjCvTHjB9TJai3AS.jpg" alt="" width="314" height="314" />
<a href="https://agro-byte.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click to visit website.</a>
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A Pilot's Story: Drones in Agriculture

Keeper's Corner

Pilots Stories

I have been flying and running my aerial cinematography company Camera-On-Wings for seven years now, and I specialize in shooting aerial footage for cinema, television, and commercials. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to shoot for brands such as KIA, Mazda, Jeep, Dodge, Indian Motorcycles, Harley Davidson, Armani, RADO, and Lexus. I have also shot music videos for Kayne West, Post Malone, Jay Z, John Legend, and many others. In my column, I will be discussing all aspects of flying drones, and I am always open to suggestions for upcoming topics.
Here's a look at one of my favorite shoots&mdash;episode four of the Acqua Di Gi&ograve;/Giorgio Armani series, The Scent of Life, that featured Italian wakeboarding champion Nicol&ograve; Caimi.&nbsp;I had worked with the producer of this series in the past on a few other shoots that went really well. As I was able to nail all the shots the director wanted, he thought of me when Armani greenlit production of this project. I received a call about a week before the shoot was supposed to take place, and we agreed on all the details and the schedule. This is one of the key factors for getting gigs&mdash;you work with someone from a production team, they see that you're professional and reliable, and they want you onboard next time.
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My drone for this production was the Inspire 2, which gives you the ability to stay in the air for 20 minutes per battery pack, and reach a speed of 60+ mph when chasing a fast-moving object&mdash;in this case, Caimi on his wakeboard. The Inspire 2 works with a variety of prime lenses with different focal lengths, and its dual-controller setup allows for smooth gimbal-camera&nbsp;movements. It also has a small footprint.
The main challenge for me on this shoot was operating from a moving boat chasing another moving boat and a wakeboarder. Taking off and landing from a vessel is always challenging, and you must follow a specific procedure so that you don't lose the drone. Basically, you don't have a static RTH (Return to Home) situation, so you have to keep the signal stable. Otherwise, the drone will fly back to the point you took off from and land into the water, because by the time RTH is initiated, you've already moved. Ninety percent of accidents during operations over water happen when takeoff and landing occur from a moving vessel. The boat might be bouncing, and an inexperienced pilot can crash the drone very easily.
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Getting ready to film with my Inspire 2
I have never had accidents during operations over the water, but, one time, there was a tricky moment while shooting a Netflix show in Miami. A drone lost connection to the master controller while shooting a yacht chase operating from a pursuing&nbsp;boat. I realized we had approximately four minutes before the drone got back to the spot we took off from. At that point, the drone would try to land&mdash;unfortunately, the landing spot would be in the water.
Here's another tip when operating from a moving vessel: Always maintain constant communication with the boat's captain. This is very important in cases like this, as I was able to ask the captain to turn around and rush to the spot where we took off from. The drone was climbing in altitude at the time, and I regained connection and took over. The aircraft was hand landed safely. Another tip: Set your RTH to hover when operating over water.
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Working with the Orange County Sheriff's Department Bomb Squad Division
By the way, practicing good communication isn't just something you do for specific situations. Drone operations can be a little complicated, and most of the time, the client is not familiar with the process of safe operation, or the proper steps to achieve&nbsp;the best results. Sometimes, you have to educate your client&mdash;whether you are working with a director, a director of photography, a first assistant director, the producer, or anyone else who might coordinate with you and your drone team. I feel it's my responsibility to bring my best knowledge&nbsp;and experience onboard to collaborate with the client and get the best results. A drone on the set is always an attraction for everyone&nbsp;involved, so I try to communicate as much as possible to keep everyone&nbsp;informed of what's going to happen before and during takeoff, landing, rolling, cutting, the flight path, and so on.
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<h5 class="p1">My Fleet</h5>
I thought I would also detail my current fleet for you. I have two main workhorses: The Inspire 2 with X7 camera, and a Freefly Alta 8 with the Movi Pro gimbal. Why these two? The speed of preparation for takeoff, the convenience of the ecosystem, and TB50 batteries (speed is up to 65 miles per hour with built-in video transmission). But the cherry on top of this cake is the X7 camera, which has a Super35 sensor and a choice of multiple lenses: 9mm, 16mm, 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm. I can't name my favorite right away, but perhaps it would be the 50mm. More on optics later.
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Setting up my Free Fly Alta 8
Recently, the direction of high-speed, first-person drones&mdash;or FPV (First-Person View)&mdash;are gaining more and more popularity. There are three FPV drones in my collection: a racing Stingy, a CineWhoop (a drone with prop guards for flying indoors or close to actors), and a DJI FPV.&nbsp;As an aerial cinematographer, I really enjoy capturing great action in the frame, along with a good&nbsp;mise-en-sc&egrave;ne&mdash;from a fast chase to well-timed actor interactions&mdash;and my fleet helps me achieve the results I want.&nbsp;
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Michael&nbsp;Keeper
<a href="mailto:mkeeper@thedroningcompany.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mkeeper@thedroningcompany.com</a>
@michael_keeper
<a href="http://cameraonwings.com/%22%20%5Ct%20%22_blank">cameraonwings.com</a>
@cameraonwings

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