1. Do you have the good stuff?
So you’re looking to get high but, have you got the stuff? With a massive market emerging and countless applications being developed, drones are becoming a ubiquitous part of our lives. Will you be racing? Maybe freelance videography? Be aware of your primary drone uses and whether your selection will be able to achieve them. For instance, Fly Film is using DJI Mavic Pro as it is cost efficient, portable, and captures video in up to 4k, ideal for freelance videography. This drone however would not be ideal for racing. Racing drone systems are much more powerful and agile. Another option you may consider is if you are one for DIY projects is building your own UAS. There are several hobby shops and online retailers that will assist you in creating the drone of your dreams!
2. Get to know the Law
Now that you have a better idea of what kind of UAS best fits your needs, the lovely federal government would like to remind you of some guidelines before you fly. In October 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration introduced a set of rules to regulate the new influx of UAS traffic. Some rules include flying under 400 feet, avoiding direct flight over people, and keeping a line of sight. These laws are applicable to small UAS that are under the fifty-five-pound weight limit. It is very important to review these laws BEFORE you fly. We personally lost a couple of drones and luckily, we were flying in designated areas free from chance of liabilities. Others have not been so lucky and have either lost a drone or were fined for improper piloting. Most of the regulations in effect are reasonable and still allow for creative exploration. If you are unsure of flight restrictions, you can visit the FAA to verify if your area is cleared for flight or if a permission for a special events is required.
3. Register your drone
After getting your fill of Federal law, make sure to register your drone. Registration is important to keep our skies safe. It is estimated over 1 million drone systems were sold during the Christmas holiday of 2016. Unfortunately, only a small number of those pilots will educate themselves on the importance of flight safety. We must be reminded that this vehicle is not a toy and should be treated accordingly. It will also become important in the near future as drone can be targets for hacking. You can register your UAS here.
4. Knowledge Test
If you are planning on turning your hobby into an income source, you will need to go beyond basic understanding, and test your understandings. The FAA requires that any commercial pilot complete the UAS Pilot Knowledge Exam. The study guide and additional resources can be found on the FAA UAS homepage. In addition there are several video guides tutorials on Youtube as well. There are several applications that can easily transition into careers such as security surveillance, agriculture, visual arts and several concepts still in the pipeline. The FAA website offers an abundance of resources to assist in completing this certification. Check your local testing centers and start making money.
5. Cash Me Ousside
How bow dat? The moment has come and your Amazon package containing your new drone surprised you a day early. Or maybe you have finally gotten all the pieces of your DIY drone in working order. Either way it is time to get to the fun part. You’ve registered your UAS, reviewed the law, and passed your UAS Knowledge test, so let’s get outside. Providing fair weather conditions, and an acceptable flight zone it’s time for you to get up in the air. Upon arrival of flight area, scout the area for obstacles, crowds, etc. Make sure to check your equipment upon each takeoff, never know when a lens cap might ruin your shot! Keep an eye out on your battery life as you are using several devices. When landing ensure the land point is clear and will not damage your drone. Be mindful and enjoy your flight.
6. Edit
You now have hours of footage and are looking to refine some of your work, where to start? At Fly Film, we use Adobe Premiere CC which is an extremely robust video editing software and a part of the Creative Cloud. If you already you Adobe Creative Suite you will find this product intuitive. However, if you are looking to save resources, the market is full applications that can get some of the most basic editing completed. Never underestimate what iMovie can achieve in a pinch either! Many UAV are recording in up to 4K which can be a large task for some editing software, so you may consider lowering your resolution on your camera before you fly. Oh, and remember you can’t fix poorly focused video so try to set your focus point before you begin your shoot.
7. Get high again
You’ve got the goods, you know the law and have got some basic knowledge to get you off the ground. Practice, as always makes progress. Fly Film has spent hundreds of hours in the sky and each flight is a learning experience. We hope we’ve convinced you to place that order you’ve held off on. Whether you are out racing, making a movie, or starting a business make sure you are making time to get out and flex those pilot muscles.
flyfilmtx.wordpress.com 