LA Media has been at the forefront of commercial drone production since drones have been around. Naturally, we were thrilled to be asked by 422.tv, a Glasgow-based production company, to fly drones over Celtic’s iconic football stadium.
This was a historic first in terms of drones, as previously no other drone operation has been allowed to fly over this hallowed football turf!
Making Celtic Drone History
Built-in 1888, Celtic Park is one of the biggest football stadiums in Europe. This was an exciting and challenging project for us. We were tasked with getting a 180 down shot of Celtic Park using our drones.
Our footage would then be used for the end of a video that 422.tv was directing for the marketing team at Celtic Football Club. Brendan Rodgers, former professional football player, and the current Celtic manager was to be featured in the shot too.
Image by LA Media 'Outside Celtic Park'
Too much steel for GSP Goose, I'm switching to Accro
For this shoot, we used our Inspire 1, mounted with our X5R camera. As mentioned earlier this was the first time a drone had been allowed to film inside the Celtic Stadium. Here are some surprises we encountered on location!
Our first surprise was the interference the metal of the stadium had on our drone’s GPS. This meant that our GPS was unreliable and sporadic. Lucky for us we aren’t dependent on GSP and our drone pilot John Banks is an ace at flying in Accro mode. Therefore, this didn’t present us with a problem but it was something we hadn’t thought of before.
Our second surprise was that the 12mm Olympus prime we had on the camera was not enough to get the full width/length of the stadium - top-down, even from 400ft (our legal height limit). To get the whole picture would have required hiring a helicopter!
We needed to rethink the final shot on our feet!
Image by LA Media 'Drone Filming Inside Celtic Park'
Waste not, want not!
So, while some of the team had a rethink about the final shot, the other half of the team kept working and went to capture GV’s in and around the stadium. These GV’s would be used by the Celtic marketing people in various other marketing projects. However, this threw up another surprise, wind!
We quickly became aware of how the wind would swirl around the seating creating a vortex.
Image by LA Media 'Statue Outside Celtic Park'
Don’t crash into the talent!
The final shot agreed upon was for us to fly towards and then over the head of Brendan Rodgers as he was walking off the park and back towards the player’s tunnel. We were to finish on an end frame showing the Celtic stand. With the untrustworthy GPS and random whirlwinds naturally, all were concerned for Brendan’s safety.
When you add people to the drone mix you need to be on your “A” game as you don’t want anyone getting injured. However, the shot went well, Brendan survived and it was used in the final video to end the film.
We’d like to extend a big thank you to all the staff at Celtic who welcomed us into their sacred ground and to the team at 422.tv for giving us the opportunity to fly for them.
We hope you enjoyed this blog post! Don’t forget to follow us on: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for your daily dose of media & drone chat!
Visit our website lamedia.co.uk and if you have any questions, e-mail us at [email protected] or give us a call on 0131 622 0220
Drone weather tips: the pressures and pitfalls of flying for production in a Scottish climate - Oh the glamour of it all!
We all know the weather is a crucial factor when filming outdoors, but it becomes even more important when you are filming outside using a drone.
Countries such as Scotland have a plentiful stock of stunning backdrops and vistas around almost every corner but sadly our weather is notoriously temperamental. So with that in mind, the LA Media Drone Team has put together 5 drone weather tips that will help you have safer happier drone flights. Using our handy drone weather tips you will be able to make a better judgement about when you should and shouldn't fly your drone.
Knowing about the weather may seem straightforward, but it isn’t as simple as checking out your window. This is especially true when flying a drone commercially on a production.
Time is money!
Out on location, you may be under any number of pressures to get the drone up in the air and to bank your shot. But before you risk doing something illegal or downright dangerous we will show you the steps you need to take before you take to the air.
In this next section, we will share with you how the knowledge we have acquired from years of flying drones commercially. We will tell you when you should and shouldn’t fly your drone.
5 Golden Drone Weather Tips
1. Check the weather forecast!
Preparation is key. Find a good weather resource like Weather Pro or BBC Weather and see what the predicted weather forecast is.
You will need to interpret these predictions and make a sound judgement call. By doing this you can then advise your client that the day they’ve selected has a high probability of having adverse weather.
In Scotland, this is a real issue for commercial drone operators. No prediction is ever guaranteed but you can make an educated guess based on the level of humidity.
For example, if your website is a below 50% chance of rain then it is possible to fly but expect showers with potential windows when you can safely fly.
In an ideal world, the perfect weather would be no wind, no rain, and no laser sunlight. This means you won’t be wasting their time or risking your drone in adverse weather.
2. Don’t fly in rain!
This might seem like a no-brainer but we’ve had the experience of being on shoots with a director telling our drone pilot there was no “real” rain.
Light, heavy, or torrential rain is still water, and electronics don’t mix well with water. Water can damage the electronics of the rig, which can lead to a catastrophic failure – imagine your drone failing mid-flight.
Even if you think your rig is waterproof it is still vulnerable to the ingress of rain on the electronics and therefore you run this real risk of disaster.
From a legal standpoint flying in rain would be considered reckless flying and will most likely void your insurance. Not good if your Vulcan Raven takes a nosedive from 200 feet.
If it's raining there is a good chance you won’t get the shot due to water on the lens, which will obscure your visuals.
3. Don't get lost in the fog off!
Plain and simple don’t fly in the fog! Per the UK Drone Code you the drone pilot /spotter must maintain a constant line of sight with your drone.
Fog can easily and quickly obscure your line of sight and thus make your flight unsafe and illegal. But another important factor is that fog is moisture.
Fog can be just as dangerous as rain when it comes to your drone’s electronics. Drones are sophisticated bits of equipment and don’t fare well when wet.
You might get away with it on this shoot but you are at real risk of malfunction on the next.
4. Wind Speed: Know your Rig's Limits
Do you have an Anemometer? If you don’t you need to get one, even if you are only planning to fly drones as a hobby sport. Why is an anemometer so crucial? Well, the term is derived from the Greek word anemos, which means the wind, and is used to describe any wind speed measurement instrument.
Therefore, in its modern form, it measures and gauges wind speed accurately, which is a vital bit of information every pilot needs to have a safe flight. Every rig built is rated for a certain wind speed. Having this device eliminates the debate between a drone pilot and a director.
What may feel like a mild gust to your director can be enough of a wind to wreak havoc with your drone. For example, Inspire 1 is rated for 17 mph winds max: if the wind is any higher the drone won’t be able to move properly.
Gusting winds will make it even harder to maintain a smooth shot. If your rig is being bounced around by the wind you are guaranteed not to capture gold and you won’t be asked back to fly for this production again.
5. Deadly good weather!
The glorious sun is brilliant, isn’t it? Well, here’s the thing, it’s not always when you’re a drone pilot. Depending on where your shot is set up you might find yourself tracking the drone into the dazzling and blinding sunlight, which means you lose direct line of sight of your drone, see above, it ain't legal.
Solar flare activity is something most pilots generally ignore but really shouldn't. Why should you be concerned about solar flares? In short, they can render your GSP inoperable and cause a fly away or worse.
A solar flare occurs when magnetic energy that has built up in the social atmosphere is suddenly released. Radiation is emitted across virtually the entire electromagnetic spectrum from radio waves to x-rays and gamma rays.
The solar flare creates a magnetic pulse that can scramble your drone's GPS in flight. The instability of terrestrial magnetism that follows a magnetic storm caused by solar flare activity, destabilises the orientation of the compass used on multi-rotor drones.
I know this sounds complicated but to be more clear when the solar activity causes a magnetic storm, the functionalities of your drone's GPS could be at least disturbed, if not inoperative.
If the chance of a solar flare is above 5% you are entering 'risky' territory. If it is below 5% then no need to worry! There are plenty of websites where you can check the solar flare activity for the period you want to fly.
In Short...
We would recommend if you are flying on production not to risk it. Things can and do go wrong and if your rig has a flyaway you need to ask yourself - are you properly prepared for that?
How will solar flare activity factor into your insurance liability?
When you fly dangerously you don’t only risk harming others but also destroying your rig and winding up in court.
As part of a drone operation, it is up to you to ensure you make each flight as safe as possible. Make the right call at the right time and have a safe happy flight. No director will thank you if the rig is rendered inoperable or you land on one of the cast or crew! So when you are getting ready for your next big drone production remember our 5 drone weather tips before you take to the skies.
We hope you’ve found this blog helpful! Let us know what you think in the comments, tell us if we’ve missed something out. If you enjoyed this blog don’t forget to follow us on: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for your daily dose of media & drone chat!
Visit our website lamedia.co.uk and if you have any questions, e-mail us at [email protected] or give us a call on 0131 622 0220
LA Media was excited to be invited to be part of THINK ON’s latest collaboration project using drones to film a stunning Golden eagle named Diesel. The final project looks amazing and we are proud to have been a part of this collaboration.
The purpose of this short-film was to capture 'why' the eagle handler (Steven Mallice) loves flying Diesel, a handsome and majestic-looking eight-month-old male Golden Eagle. Words just can't describe how amazing Diesel looks up close and in person.
A large element of the film was to show Steven’s relationship with Diesel and have him demonstrate how he built their unique bond from Diesel's birth.
Using our DJI Inspire 1 drone, mounted with an X5R camera, we got some amazing footage of this magnificent eagle in motion! The Inspire 1 was the perfect drone option for this shoot as it is a nimble and swift machine that produces high-quality footage. Capturing high-quality 4 k aerial footage has never been easier.
Image by LA Media 'Steven holding Diesel'
What could possibly go wrong?
But I guess you are wondering, just like we did, how would Diesel react to the drone? We took it in baby-steps to make sure nobody, especially the eagle, was injured.
We were worried that maybe Diesel would be unsettled by the noise of the drone propellers when in flight. We were also concerned that Diesel might very well think the drone was prey…and attack the drone.
Diesel may have also attacked had he perceived it as a threat. We also wanted to be sure that the eagle didn’t collide with the drone as the eagle’s flight path could be unpredictable.
Image by THINK ON Collaborations ' LA Media's Drone'
What did we do?
We decided to first introduce two at a safe distance (the drone and eagle we mean), while Diesel was tethered on his handler’s arm.
Step by slow step we gradually brought the two closer together. Eventually, we were able to operate the drone while the eagle was still on its tether. We tested his reaction to the drone taking off and slowly flew around his position.
We are happy to say he was a total pro and wasn't bothered by the buzzing of the drone. When Steven, Diesel’s handler, was convinced that the eagle was comfortable with the drone and its noise while in flight we were both finally ready to take to the air!
Image by LA Media 'Steven and the Eagle'
What we'd like to share
Here are a few pictures we captured while filming. Stay tuned to see the full video and you can let us know what you think.
This production was truly a team effort and we’d like to thank everyone who was involved and especially a big thanks to Diesel the eagle who was a consummate professional.
Image by THINK ON Collaborations
Diesel is probably the only star who can get away with looking directly into the camera, apart from maybe Kevin Spacey (think Frank Underwood).
The Team
Eagle Handler/ Subject: Steven Mallice
Producer/Director/Photographer: Carrick McLelland
DP: Danny Bonnar
Drone: LA Media
Gimbal Operator: Alistair Girvan
Location: Cambusbarron Quarry near Stirling
We hope you liked our blog! If you enjoyed it don’t forget to follow us on: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for your daily dose of media & drone chat!
Visit our website lamedia.co.uk and if you have any questions, e-mail us at [email protected] or give us a call on 0131 622 0220
As we stride into the New Year we here at LA Media feel buoyed up by the Government’s release of a new consultation document on the Benefits of Drones to the UK. How can the drone market Benefit the UK? Well, PwC has estimated that the emerging global aerial market for business services using drones is over £102 billion, which is why the UK Government is keen to grab a slice of that pie.
The Teal Group’s 2015 market study estimates the global aerial drone market over the coming decade will grow from £3.22 billion to £11.27 billion by 2025, totaling £74.85 billion in the next ten years – pretty exciting stuff!
On 21 December 2016, the Department of Transport within the UK Government released a consultation document titled “Unlocking the UK’s High Tech Economy: Consultation on the safe use of drones in the UK”. Essentially, they are seeking opinions on how to harness the positive benefits of drones for the public and commercial services. In this blog, we will review some of the key points they tackle and share our two cents on the issue.
The UK Government wishes to identify a safe path to ensure that the UK captures a large share of this global drone market. They note that the UK already has a significant share of the registered drone operators in the EU and globally, and that the UK’s proportionate risk-based regulations are already viewed favourably by industry worldwide.
The UK Government believes that the new drone business will bring lots of other benefits too. The drone market will contribute to taxes to the public purse, boost local economies, stimulate job growth and lure more investors to the UK. The ultimate goal is to make Britain the global go-to place for new technologies such as drones.
For the full document please visit their website. We have picked out some of the points discussed in the document which we feel able to comment on after nearly four years of commercial drone flying within the UK.
Why we are so happy!
As drone code-abiding citizens here at LA Media, we were really pleased to see the government take this step. Firstly, because it acknowledges what we’ve been saying for years - that the drone market has a huge potential for growth and could be quite the money maker for the UK. It is a sector that could keep on expanding while other sectors are still reverberating from Brexit.
Secondly, we are thrilled to see they are tackling the issue of drone safety as this will help shape up some of the cowboy drone operators out there. There needs to be a much clearer guide for drone operators, particularly domestic users.
As Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for Aviation at the Department for Transport 2016 states in the consultation document: “The vast majority of drone users are law-abiding and have good intentions…it is likely that some are not aware of the rules."
Thirdly, we are happy that the government isn’t putting out a dictate. With this document, they are seeking consultation from the public/drone community to ensure that legislation is approached sensibly. But it is an important step as drones are developing so fast, it’s hard to keep up with them.
Each month a new drone appears on the market and it feels like every day people are finding new and innovative ways to use them.
Key Points Addressed
To provide greater drone safety assurance to the public
Address the increasing demand for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flying in the commercial sector
To increase engagement with future drone pilots
To increase Dronecode awareness at the point of sale
To facilitate a supportive innovative environment for drone projects
Improve the application of geo-fencing as a safety net
Increase the use of the NATS free drone safety app ‘Drone assist’
Update drone guidance rules
To implement a drone traffic management system to improve security and safety
Introduce a mandatory drone registration scheme (possible drone registration cost)
To find a solution so as to create more drone testing zones
What we think needs further consideration
Better Drone insurance
The government has addressed drone operators' concerns with regards to insurance but we feel they need to take a more flexible and comprehensive look at drone insurance. As drone enthusiasts will know not all drones are made equal.
While some are tiny sparrow-sized things that won’t cause any damage there are the heavy-lift rigs which are essentially huge sky predators. The government needs to decide what size of drone merits what type of insurance.
Another issue that must be addressed with regards to drone insurance is liability: namely how to assess if it is drone failure or pilot error. For example, if you had a flyaway and the drone was not recovered (it may have plunged into the North Sea) how will you figure out where liability and responsibility lie? Even if you do get the tatters of your rig back it can still be a real challenge to figure out exactly what went wrong.
Drones are becoming increasingly fail and idiot-proof, but, mechanics can - and will - fail at some point.
Drone registration & electronic identification
A big thing that they have adequately addressed is the issue of drone registration. For larger drones - more than 250 grams - all drones may need to be registered. We applaud this move because it will encourage hobbyists to be more careful!
Safer drone flying will help improve the current public perception of drones and keep everybody safe; like having trackable license plates on your car, the police will be able to scan your drone from the ground and find out who exactly flew dangerously near an airport.
Image by LA Media 'Drone photography in Scotland'
However, we feel that this doesn’t solve the problem of many bespoke self-built drones. Like Bruce Wayne ordering all the batmobile parts from different countries, a skilled drone builder can make his /her drones untraceable by ordering from various international distributors. We think that it would make more sense for drones to carry an identifier that is specific to the operator/ pilot rather than the drone. This way builders can chop and change as much as they like without having to register each new thing they might build whilst still retaining traceability.
Get involved in the great drone debate
The Public dialogue on drone use in the UK was used to inform the government’s consultation proposal. The closing date for this consultation closes on 15 March 2017. So if you have a bee in your bonnet or think there is something they haven’t addressed about the drone market make sure you respond.
This is your chance to make an impact on the way the UK develops its drone market. You can respond by writing to the address given below:
OR
Write to Drones Regulation and Policy Lead
Drones consultation
IASE 1/26, Aviation Directorate
Department for Transport
Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road
London SW1P 4DR
We hope you’ve found this blog helpful! Let us know what you think in the comments, tell us if we’ve missed something out. If you enjoyed this blog don’t forget to follow us on: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for your daily dose of media & drone chat!
Visit our website lamedia.co.uk and if you have any questions, e-mail us at [email protected] or give us a call on 0131 622 0220
LA Media is super excited for the 3rd annual New York City Drone Film Festival, which is taking place this year on 17, 18 & 19 March 2017. The New York Drone Film Festival is considered to be the world's first event exclusively dedicated to celebrating the art of drone cinematography.
A Drone Film Festival?
This is a new version of this event. Just ten years ago there wouldn't have been a demand for this sort of festival and probably nobody would have taken drone footage so seriously. Director, landscape photographer, and aerial cinematographer Randy Scott Slavin founded the Festival in 2014 with a desire to change the perceptions of drones. "I'm tired of drones being synonymous with questionable legality, FAA regulation...I want to celebrate the art of aerial cinematography". The goal of the festival is to offer drone operators/ filmmakers from every corner of the globe an opportunity an international platform to exhibit their work in front of industry professionals and the drone community.
The Who?
Although you've missed the 2017 deadline, if you think you’ve got serious drone cinematography chops, you should start thinking about submitting your work next year. The jury is comprised of a select group of film & television professionals and drone cinematographers. Some of those include Creative Producer Sam Scheffer at Mashable, Director of Product Experience at DJI Randy Jay Braun, and many more.
This year the festival selections will be announced on or around January 22nd, 2017 and all successful applicants will be notified.
The What?
Wondering what type of footage they are looking for? Well, good news for all the drone lovers out there, it’s got more categories than the Golden Globes. There really is something for everyone. See below for the different categories you can enter in the drone film festival.
Drone Categories
NARRATIVE - A great film always centers around a great story and a drone film is no different.
LANDSCAPE/ARCHITECTURE - There's no question that drones are an ideal tool for shooting landscapes and architecture. Show the judges how you are taking it to the next level?
SHOWREEL - Aerial cinematographers tend to collect a lot of footage. This category is for those who wish to showcase a wide variety of their work.
NEWS & DOCUMENTARY - Aerial Cinematography used to shoot unscripted subjects. This is about real people in real situations.
TECHNICAL - Getting great drone shots is always technically difficult to achieve. However, sometimes you're flying in extreme weather conditions, flying $100k worth of gear on your drone, or dealing with intricate choreography. This category is for those truly exceptional technical achievements in drone cinema.
FREESTYLE FPV - FPV pilots, this is your category. Have footage of an outstanding freestyle run? Submit here. Have some high-octane race footage? This is the place. This category is not about picture quality… it’s all about flying skills.
DRONIE - The "drone selfie." Enough said.
EXTREME SPORTS - Extreme sports are best seen via drone and we want to see the best extreme sports footage in the world. Mountain biking, wing suits, motocross, skateboarding, and everything in between - show us what you've got.
X-FACTOR - Does your film not fit into the other categories but is still f@&ing awesome? You can still get involved and submit.
FEATURING DRONES - This category is for films that feature drones. This includes stories about drones or starring drones. Films submitting to this category DO NOT have to be shot using drones.
STILL PHOTOGRAPHY - Motion picture photography and still photography are completely different arts. Finalists in this category will their work printed and displayed at #NYCDFF 2017 screenings and events.
The Rules
The submission guidelines are as follows: all films must be 5 minutes or under in length and at least 50% must be shot using a drone or UAV. All "Dronie" entries must be less than 1 minute in length. All "Showreel" entries must be 3 minutes or under in length. Films submitted to the "Featuring Drones" do not have to be shot with drones.
Why you should do it?
Well one, what have you got to lose? It is a great opportunity to get your drone work noticed by some of the big players. Greater exposure for your work means generating more opportunities for you to fly professionally. You might even win a new drone in the process! Also although drones are awesome how cool would it be to be part of New York’s biggest drone film festival? See no excuse needed. See what last year's winners had to offer. If you think you can top it then you should definitely make a note in your diary to submit your work next year. Follow the action online this year with the hashtag #NYCDFF.
We hope you’ve found this blog helpful! Let us know what you think in the comments, tell us if we’ve missed something out. If you enjoyed this blog don’t forget to follow us on: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for your daily dose of media & drone chat!
Visit our website lamedia.co.uk and if you have any questions, e-mail us at [email protected] or give us a call on 0131 622 0220
Buying a drone can be a daunting task, believe us we know. Depending on who and what you are buying it for it can be a significant investment. But more importantly, you want to get the right drone for what you want it to do!
Here is our handy 'drone-buying guide' to help you pick the right drone for 2017.
We’ve broken our drone picks down into the function. There is a drone out there to suit every from a professional operator to a budding photographer looking to add a new dimension to their portfolio! Or maybe you are just thinking of buying a drone for fun, we've found something for everyone.
Key Drone Terms to Know When Buying a Drone
RTF = Ready To Fly so no further outlay is required to get the drone in the air.
BNF = Bind 'N Fly which means the buyer will need various other equipment to fly the drone. In the case of FPV racers, this would amount to a further £500+ outlay for the Vortex (Transmitter, goggles, batteries, charger).
For the Beginner/Indoor Drones (yes indoor)
Horizon/Blade Inductrix
If you are looking for something to start out flying drones with then look no further than the excellent Horizon/Blade Inductrix. Unlike most other drones in this category, the Inductrix features both self-leveling and “Acro” modes which can be selected via the RC controller. What this means is you can start self-leveling to get the basics of flying down and switch to Acro when you start getting more adventurous.
Acro mode is much more difficult to master as the quad will not self-level when you release the sticks – it just keeps going until the pilot gives a corrective input. Flying in Acro on this little guy is a blast and will keep even the most seasoned pilot entertained for hours on end and is robust enough to deal with the punishment of flying indoors.
Cost: £44.99 BNF or £57.99 RTF
Hubsan X107 C X4 *
This drone is something of an evergreen in the beginner/ 1st drone market is the Hubsan X4. Whilst you are not going to produce a Hollywood blockbuster with it, it does feature a camera for taking pictures and video (though no live video feed). The X4 features stabilisation and self-leveling which make it ideal for noobs and keeps coming back for more, crash after crash. Flips & rolls are possible although these are performed as an automated function – there is no Acro mode on this drone.
Cost: £49.99 RTF
For the Serious Hobbyist: SEMI-PRO CAMERA DRONES
DJI Phantom 4 Professional
Whether it’s for you, or someone you love, then you won’t go wrong with either of these amazing drones. The newly released Phantom 4 Professional takes the already competent Phantom 4 and adds a camera! Already this is a quantum leap in terms of quality in the consumer/ semi pro-drone market. Whilst the Mavic Pro, Phantom 4 (not pro), and Inspire X3 cameras (among others) all share the same small 1 over 2 thirds inch image sensors (similar to those found in phone cameras), the Phantom 4 Pro uses a massive (by comparison) 1 inch Sony sensor as found in their high-end RX100 compact camera (the latest version of which retails for £1000!).
The lens is also greatly improved featuring variable aperture (f/2.8 – f/11) and variable focus. Thanks to these new improvements, filmmakers are offered far greater dynamic range, low light handling, and the ability to achieve more cinematic shots by shooting at wide apertures to give a shallower depth of field (which is also helped greatly by the large sensor). Its 360-degree obstacle avoidance system is a welcome addition for less experienced pilots or for those wishing to smell the trees without actually kissing them!
In summary, whilst not as portable as the Mavic (see below), the greatly improved camera will put it on the top of must-have drones for those who value the quality of output over outright convenience (we want one!).
Cost: £1589 RTF
DJI Mavic Pro – the Unicorn of the drone world
The DJI Mavic Pro is a formidable package for getting great aerial footage and stills when you simply can't manage the bulk of a larger drone. Even a DJI Phantom is a bulky proposition when faced with carrying it up a mountain (no seriously we’ve done that) or when your mode of transport is a bicycle.
The camera is decent enough to get good 4K footage. To put that into perspective, it shoots video and stills of equal quality to the Inspire 1 with the X3 camera – the combination which we used for professional work before we upgraded to the X5R camera! How times are changing!
Buy it if you can get a hold of it, it’s a game-changer!
Cost: £1099 RTF
For the Casual Drone User / for fun!
So if you are new to drones or want to get one for someone who might like them then this is for you! Here we focus on the fun, the application, and the price.
Parrot Bebop 2/ FPV - The Selfie Drone!
The Parrot Bebop 2 is a fun feature-rich “selfie drone” capable of 25-minute flights and full HD video. Since it doesn't have a gimbal to stabilise the camera it relies only on digital processing to smooth the video. This drone is aimed not at filmmakers but at those who are looking for something that's easy to fly, relatively inexpensive, and fun. It features some clever flight modes including auto-tracking so the drone will follow you automatically tracking your movement making for some great selfie moments.
It also features a live video feed to your phone which also acts as the controller, and has the option to purchase an FPV headset, so you can really immerse yourself in the action.
Cost: £399.00 RTF or £499.99 with goggles
DJI Phantom 3 Standard
Priced similarly to the Bebop 2, we have the Phantom 3 Standard edition from DJ here at LA Media. While this drone lacks the smart flight modes of the Bebop 2 (such as auto-tracking), the Phantom 3 standard has the upper hand when it comes to image quality thanks to its 3 axis stabilised gimbal and 2.7k video capability.
For more experienced pilots who want reasonable quality video on a tight budget, the Phantom 3 Standard is the way to go.
Cost: £449.99 RTF
FPV RACERS - For Those with the Need, the Need for Speed
The FPV drone market is, without a doubt, the most complicated to make a solid recommendation on. This is due to the fact that most pilots build their own using a seemingly infinite combination of different components. So our recommendations are therefore based on those FPV Drones that are bought ready to fly – a wise suggestion for someone new to the FPV Drone racing scene.
For the great outdoors - ImmersionRC Vortex Pro 250
For an out-of-the-box FPV drone, the Vortex 250 Pro is a definite winner. Everything on this racer has been designed to work together which results in a flying experience without any of the hassle associated with building & tuning it yourself. Every feature you need is there, including a very nice on-screen display (OSD in drone speak) and it has the option to choose pre-programmed flight characteristics to suit your style. Of course, you can still manually tweak things to your liking (PIDs, RC rates, etc ???) to get exactly the feel you're after.
The Vortex 250 Pro is one of the most robust drones you'll find and withstands punishment extremely well – we’ve seen a YouTuber who flew his drone at full speed (~70mph) into a tree and only broke the propellers!
Our resident drone pilot John Banks can vouch for its durability as he has personally smacked his into the ground a multitude of times with no damage. Believe us if John says it can survive a good thump then you can Bank on it (sorry a hideous attempt at humour….get it Banks…bank?).
Cost: £369.99 BNF
For the indoor racer Horizon/ Blade Inductrix FPV
The Horizon/ Blade Inductrix FPV is basically an Inductrix (see above) with beefed-up motors and a factory-fitted FPV camera. The birth of the Inductrix FPV came about through FPV pilots buying the standard Inductrix and mounting an aftermarket FPV camera... this was the birth of the “TINY WHOOP”.
Horizon obviously saw a gap in the market so started producing their own camera-equipped version... it was an instant success. The “Tiny Whoop” indoor racing scene seems to be gaining at least as much momentum as the regular FPV scene and for good reason – it's ridiculously fun and addictive.
Cost: £85.99 BNF or £164.99 RTF
Conclusion
Of course, there are many, many more drones out there to choose from. It feels like new models are being released every other day. If we tried to keep up with the pace of new drones on the market, we would be writing this article indefinitely.
If we haven’t recommended anything you fancy, remember a little bit of research will greatly help narrow the choice depending on the needs and expectations of you, the consumer. However, we feel that we’ve given you a nice selection to start with.
If you feel strongly that we’ve missed something, please let us know in the comments, and please share your drone thoughts with us. Whether it's your first drone or fifth drone we really hope this guide helps you with buying a drone!
*The current Hubsan website is currently down which is why instead we've linked it to amazon where you can still purchase this drone.
We hope you’ve found this blog helpful! If you enjoyed this blog don’t forget to follow us on: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for your daily dose of media & drone chat!
Visit our website lamedia.co.uk and if you have any questions, e-mail us at [email protected] or give us a call on 0131 622 0220
It’s happened, drones have officially gone mainstream. To say that drones have become popular in recent years is an understatement. Drones are considered to be one of the must-have gadgets for Christmas 2016. Because drones are becoming so popular we thought now would be a good time to review the newly updated Drone Safety Code so nobody inadvertently does anything illegal in the new year!
Drones aren’t just a toy for grown men or kids. Not only are drones a sophisticated piece of equipment but earlier this year PriceWaterhouseCooper (PwC) put an estimate on the very near future value of the global commercial application of drones to be $127bn. Not too shabby eh?
The future of drones is exciting with some hailing FPV drone racing as the next Formula One. However, recently the CAA published its Consumer Drone User report, which highlighted a potentially large problem, Drone Safety.
The Drone Safety Code isn't Just for Commercial Pilots
Due to this increase in drone popularity the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) recently launched a revised and improved version of its drone safety code.
Commercial drone flying has always been strictly regulated but for hobbyists, there was little guidance. Obviously, they couldn’t fly over nuclear reactors or such things, but the non-professionals had greater freedom than the pros.
Any form of recompense, no matter how small, even a drink down the pub, and you would be considered a commercial operation. This meant that you'd have to go through the process of becoming CAA certified. However, this revised Drone Safety Code is intended for hobbyists and the parents of hobbyists. Just because you bought your drone in a toy store doesn't make it child's play.
The Revised Drone Safety Code
Recently the House of Lords EU Committee called for the compulsory registration of all commercial and civilian drones, amid growing concern over the use of drones by private individuals with little knowledge of aviation rules.
According to the CCA report, the two most common words associated with drones amongst people 35 – 54 / 55+ are “Unregulated” and “Dangerous.” According to the CCA report, the increased uptake of drone use has led to an increase in the reported instances of irresponsible flying.
Now the general drone using population is being encouraged to know the Drone Code and to practice safe drone flying. Ignorance is not an excuse and like the CAA we'd like to promote responsible drone operation for all!
Let's face it drones come in many shapes and forms, they regularly receive bad press e.g. military drones, personal drones crashing into planes at Heathrow, or maiming pop stars on stage... - poor Enrique Iglesias.
You get the idea, drones need a bit of a PR makeover. The CAA is currently working to reverse this public image via their shiny new Drone Code website. If consumer perception of drones is allowed to remain dictated by coverage of irresponsible use, then the devices will always be seen with negative connotations and as a threat. We thought it might be good to now focus on the key principles of Drone Safety in this blog, for both hobbyists and commercial drone pilots.
Image by LA Media ' LA Media's Drone in Flight'
The CAA’s revised Dronecode has a handy mnemonic, which is a useful tool for any drone lover, whether commercial or hobbyist. Luckily it spells out the object of our affections, DRONE. See below to find out what it stands for and be drone safe.
Don’t fly near airports or airfields
Remember to stay below 400ft (120m)
Observe your drone at all times – stay 150ft (50m) away from people and property
Never fly near aircraft
Enjoy responsibly
See, avoid, reduce conflict
“Legal responsibility lies with you, failure to fly responsibly could result in criminal prosecution” - Drone Safety Code by CAA
Never lose sight of your drone, not even for a few seconds! To be safe you must maintain a constant line of sight with the drone. You need to do this to ensure that the drone doesn’t go crashing into airplanes, power-lines, buildings, or anything else up in the sky. Many new drones have collision avoidance and fail-safes but that isn’t a reliable way to operate a drone.
Technology can and does fail all too frequently. If you are flying alone as a hobbyist, then you must keep your eye on the drone, which means no flying beyond the visual line of sight. “If your drone endangers the safety of an aircraft it is a criminal offense and you could go to prison for five years” - Drone Safety Code by CAA
If you are using a drone for production, then you must have a second person as a spotter. If you are flying trying to capture footage and even possibly looking at a monitor, you cannot keep your focus sufficiently on external dangers. If you, the pilot, are watching the monitor, then you need someone else to spot your drone.
Enjoy responsibly – don’t be that drone operator
Hobbyists and pros alike cannot fly directly over large crowds of people. If you have a CAA licence, the correct permissions, have a safety plan, and full control then goes ahead with caution. The rules state that you cannot: “fly directly overhead (at any height) or within 50 metres of persons, vehicles, vessels, and property, unless those persons are 'under the control of the person in charge of the SUA'.” For example: if filming at a large music festival it would not be sufficient for the audience to be informed of a drone filming via a public address system, or in advance by e-mail or text.
Yes, permission has occasionally been granted for drone flights at public events by special arrangement. However, these permissions have been extremely limited and usually involve a segregated take-off site with the drone operating only vertically within strict lateral limits. There is no allowance for direct over-flight of persons.
Know the ins & outs
The Air Navigation Order defines a congested area as being 'any area of a city, town or settlement which is substantially used for residential, industrial, commercial or recreational purposes. Permission must be obtained from the CAA to land or operate within a congested area, this is a PFCO (Permission for commercial operation). Permissions granted may be valid for one flight or for a period of up to 12 months. If you want to fly a drone in a congested area or near people, then you must first obtain permission from the CAA.
If you are a hobbyist don’t fly over groups of people e.g. at a busy beach. Be a considerate drone operator and remember not everyone wants a drone near them. Try and understand it from the publics' point of view. Never, ever just risk it. If you are in doubt about meeting any of the conditions above, don’t fly. It isn’t worth the hefty fines and possible jail time.
We hope you've found this blog helpful! If you enjoyed this blog don’t forget to follow us on: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for your daily dose of media & drone chat!
Visit our website lamedia.co.uk and if you have any questions, e-mail us at [email protected] or give us a call on 0131 622 0220
The Netflix series, formerly known as Scrotal Recall, now known as Lovesick is a British sitcom created by BAFTA-nominated writer, Tom Edge. Starring Johnny Flynn, Antonia Thomas, and Daniel Ings, the show is a fun romantic comedy that follows the exploits of the main character Dylan.
Image by LA Media 'Drone Filming Over Loch Lomond'
The series, which was set in Glasgow, follows Dylan on his mission to contact his former romantic partners to inform them he has chlamydia. So as you can imagine it has a fantastic amount of hilariously awkward cringe-worthy material. Originally broadcast on Channel 4, Lovesick was quickly picked up by Netflix and made available to US and Canadian audiences.
Image by LA Media 'Drone Filming Over Loch Lomond'
Due to its success across the pond, the show was commissioned by Netflix for another cracking season comprised of eight episodes. This is where we step in, LA Media was asked to film the drone footage for season 2! We filmed a lot of scenes at Loch Lomond in the summer of 2016 using our DJI Inspire with the Zenmuse X5R. Filming near Loch Lomond was a real pleasure as it is one of the most beautiful woodland areas in Scotland.
Image by LA Media 'Drone Filming Over Loch Lomond'
With majestic lochs, epic lowland landscapes, and plenty of mountains there was no shortage of stunning backgrounds. We got lots of vibrant shots, which you can now view on Netflix or you can see on our Facebook and Instagram. The images on this blog show you just how beautiful a location it was and amazingly, for Scotland, how good the weather was. We enjoyed plenty of bright sunshine and clear skies! Perfect conditions for our drone team to work their magic.
If you enjoyed this blog don’t forget to follow us on: Twitter, for your daily dose of media & drone chat!
Visit our website lamedia.co.uk and if you have any questions, e-mail us at [email protected] or give us a call on 0131 622 0220
LA Media was asked to film drone footage for award-winning Greek filmmaker and visual artist Evangelia Kranioti. Kranioti was selected to capture the vision of historic luxury cashmere manufacturer Barrie’s new Autumn/ Winter 2016 collection.
Drone Footage by LA Media
This new collection is this legendary mill’s fifth signature collection and it was our second time teaming up with the brand. Established in the Scottish Borders in 1903, Barrie Knitwear is renowned for its premium cashmere and traditional expertise. Barrie supplies some of the most prestigious fashion houses in the world, including
This new collection is this legendary mill’s fifth signature collection and it was our second time teaming up with the brand. Established in the Scottish Borders in 1903, Barrie Knitwear is renowned for its premium cashmere and traditional expertise. Barrie supplies some of the most prestigious fashion houses in the world, including
Barrie supplies some of the most prestigious fashion houses in the world, including Chanel, which acquired Barrie in 2012.
Image by LA Media 'Drone Filming on the Isle of Skye'
Kranioti’s avant-garde style brings this beautiful collection to life on the Isle of Skye. The video shows the struggle and commitment of craftsmanship with the beauty of the Scottish landscape. Using our heavy lift rig, the Vulcan Raven, and our Gremsy H16 gimbal, we fly an ARRI Alexa Mini camera to take sweeping shots of Skye’s pristine shoreline. Because our drone is so versatile we were able to get fairly close to the model, which was draped in the most exquisite cashmere, to capture a really unique perspective. In one day we filmed the model in at least ten different outfits in multiple different locations.
Image by LA Media 'Drone Filming on the Isle of Skye'
To capture a shot of the cliffs and the iconic Neist Point lighthouse we had to fly our drone out over the Atlantic ocean, which was a pretty nerve-wracking yet totally awesome moment. To do this we had to take the drone out to the maximum limit we could legally reach.
Image by LA Media 'Drone Filming on the Isle of Skye at Neist Point lighthouse'
With Kranioti’s direction, we think we were able to capture the essence of the collection. From landscapes in the south of Scotland, the video then pursues stunning Gaelic panoramas towards the North of the country. The video reveals a very enigmatic and ever glorious Scotland, with Barrie’s collection acting as the red thread that finely weaves it all together.
The video reveals a very enigmatic and ever glorious Scotland, with Barrie’s collection acting as the red thread that finely weaves it all together.
To see the full video click here. If you enjoyed this blog don’t forget to follow us on: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for your daily dose of media & drone chat!
Visit our website lamedia.co.uk and if you have any questions, e-mail us at [email protected] or give us a call on 0131 622 0220