June 6, 2016
Official DJI Phantom 4 Drone photo.
JUST A MATTER OF TIME. I knew it. I just knew it. Florence and I have been married a long while. I have an uncanny ability to predict her next move. I’ve got a respectable batting average. I’m right about 85 % of the time. So, I figured it would be just a matter of time until she purchased a camera drone.
From the first time we saw a drone pilot maneuvering his aircraft gingerly above a stream one afternoon last fall, there was really no doubt in my mind that we’d become proud owners some day. These little aircraft really are phenomenal! They’re fun to fly and fun to watch. But most important for us and for those of you who follow my blog, drones can carry cameras. And those cameras capture spectacular video footage. Dramatic footage that’s impossible to get any other way. So folks, the Blog posts here at Great American Adventure are about to get much more interesting, very soon. Consider this post a preview of coming attractions.
PHANTOM 4 DRONE. Exactly what is a camera drone, specifically the Phantom 4? Perhaps you already know about these incredible little aircraft. Personally, I’d never even seen one in action until last Fall in New England when we saw one in operation for the first time. And here’s an official DJI video clip that will explain all the what’s, how’s and why’s about the model Florence just purchased:
HERE ARE SOME IMAGES I HOPE YOU’LL LIKE:
On the scheduled day, we taped this note on our front door. We knew a signature was going to be required for delivery and we were determined not to take any chances. What if we’d not heard the knock at the door? If that had happened we’d probably not have been able to get the Drone ’til the next day. And Florence wouldn’t have slept a wink all night long!
Florence almost ripped the box from this poor guy before he hardly even had a chance to say hello.
Florence attentively listening to words of wisdom from Chris, her Flight Instructor. Pensacola is he cradle of Naval Aviation. So it’s perhaps no coincidence that Florence had no difficulty in finding a local Flight School to attend. I’m not kidding you. This is big, heavily regulated business. An operator’s license is required and the aircraft must be registered with the FAA. It sounds silly at first, but think about it. An untrained, unlicensed copter pilot could be a big problem if she decided to fly near a major airport, for example!
Her iPhone 6S Plus was fine for the first day of class. But Florence is much relieved now that her mini-iPad has arrived. Its screen is just enough larger to make all the difference in the world. The Drone is controlled when airborne with this controller, and the iPad screen often provides the only visual contact with the Drone. The naked eye can’t follow the aircraft when it’s above the clouds or a mile away flying along the coastline.
This photo gives you a little better view of the monitor and control platform.
The Flight Instructor is smiling. That’s a good sign. This was Florence’s first “lift off.”
The Copter is flying at an elevation of 150 feet in this photo. Now just imagine a taking it up an additional mile! No problem. Really!
Day two: this time in Jon’s yard.
Practice makes perfect!
Now she’s showing off! Florence flew her copter in and out of the line of those trees, at about six feet above ground.
And then gently back down on the grass! I don’t know about you, but I’m impressed!
ISN’T THIS FUN? We’re expecting some very wet weather today, but if it’s clear and sunny tomorrow, perhaps we’ll take the aircraft down to the beach and really get this parade started. Plan to join us, won’t you?
I’LL CONTINUE MY STORY NEXT TIME.
