Pack up your bird and hit the road, but make sure you know where you’re allowed to fly.

We’re going over the rules and regulations for flying your drones in national parks and preserves

Flying Drones in National Parks:

The Park service released a memo in 2014 that addresses unmanned aircraft use in parks, and directs superintendents “to prohibit the launching, landing, or operation of unmanned aircraft” within park boundaries. This seeks to reduce the risk of harassing wildlife, sUAS accidents, and interrupting the peace and quiet that entices people to visit the national parks in the first place.

While the National Park Service does use drones, the reasons are very specific to search and rescue, wildfire monitoring, academic studies, and aerial documentation.

Drone Usage in National Forests:

On the other hand, the National Forest Service does not prohibit drone use, so long as the drone is not operated in a designated Wilderness Area. The drone pilot must operate in accordance to FAA regulations, in addition to keeping clear of wildlife and populated areas.

The Forest Service does conduct low altitude flights within the National Forest boundaries, so knowing what flights are taking place, and whether there are temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) and NOTAMS is essential for safe drone operation within these boundaries. Check out these Forest Service drone rules for further information.

Flying Drones within Wilderness Areas:

Wilderness Areas are a no-go for drone flight, and any mechanized vehicle for that matter. It’s been that way since 1964. As stated in The Wilderness Act:

“…there shall be no temporary road, no use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment or motorboats, no landing of aircraft, no other form of mechanical transport, and no structure or installation within any such area.”

Wilderness Areas can sometimes exist within a National Forest, so be sure to use an app like Kittyhawk , B4UFly, or AirMap to be certain you’re not pushing any boundaries. If you’re operating a DJI drone, your DJI GO 4 app will alert you to any airspace issues as well.

Drones in National Wildlife Refuges:

As stated in the National Wildlife Refuge’s Code of Federal Regulations;

“The unauthorized operation of aircraft, including sail planes, and hang gliders, at altitudes resulting in harassment of wildlife, or the unauthorized landing or take-off on a national wildlife refuge, except in an emergency, is prohibited. National wildlife refuge boundaries are designated on up-date FAA aeronautical charts.”

National Wildlife Refuges are often home or breeding grounds for endangered species that are vulnerable to harassment. While we may not be as affected by noise, these animals are acutely aware and easily frightened by such disturbances.

It is tempting to launch a drone for a quick video or photograph, but be cognizant of the area you’re flying in. Sometimes simply being present for a quiet memory is enough. As drone pilots, we have the opportunity to be ambassadors to the industry, and behaving above reproach boosts our positive image in the public eye.

Remember, there is always alternative beautiful skies to fly!

About the Author

Roger became interested in drone aviation soon after retiring from a 25-year career in the fire service. During his tenure as a firefighter with the Nashua, NH Fire Rescue, he serves as a member of the Hazmat & dive rescue teams. he is a sport pilot and Certified Level 1 Thermographer who enjoys flying weight shift control aircraft. Roger splits his time living in Naples, FL & Wells, ME; he enjoys training public service departments & assisting them with the implementation of UAS into their organizations as well as using drones to film at live events.

DARTdrones is the nation’s leader in drone training, program development and consultation, offering online and in-person courses in 40+ cities across the United States. DARTdrones takes pride in their comprehensive curriculum, developed by a former US Navy Helicopter pilot, as well as their 40+ flight instructors who are all manned and unmanned aircraft pilots. Visit us online at www.dartdrones.com, call 800-264-3907 or email the DARTdrones Team at info@dartdrones.com to learn more.

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Quick Answer: Nope  Did you know that it is illegal to fly a drone in some of our nation’s most beautiful landscapes? Flying drones in National Parks have been banned since 2014. Yes, you may be shocked to learn that even though most national parks aren’t located near airports, there are still strict restrictions on flying drones in national parks.

Many of you may dream of flying over Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park or getting a jaw dropping view of the sunset over the Grand Canyon. You could be tempted to break the rules, but you are at risk for large fines and could even be arrested. In Hawaii, a drone operator was chased down and tased for flying his drone over Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park in front of his wife and kids. The drone pilot claims that he was not aware of the rules that he wasn’t allowed to fly drones in a national park.

Also, check out this video of a drone pilot getting in trouble with his Phantom 4 in Yellowstone.

Why Has the National Park Service Banned Drones?

The National Park Service banned the use of drones in national parks in 2014. At the time, then National Parks Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis stated, “We embrace many activities in National Parks because they enhance visitor experiences with the iconic, natural, historic and cultural landscapes in our care. However, we have serious concerns about the negative impact that flying unmanned aircraft is having in parks, so we are prohibiting their use until we can determine the most appropriate policy that will protect park resources and provide all visitors a rich experience.”

We contacted the National Park Service to learn if the agency plans to make updates to their drone policy any time soon. “We never say never,” spokesman Jeffrey Olson said, “but the present policy is in place for the foreseeable future.” The National Park Service operates 87 National Monuments, 59 National Parks, 51 National Historic Sites, and more than 200 other locations.

Despite the ban, Olson said it isn’t rare for someone to bring a drone to one of the service’s sites. “Many cases are little more than educational moments,” he said, “when a park ranger can remind the operator of the prohibition and ask them to put the UAV away and enjoy the day.” Park rangers are advised to use their discretion as to whether or not to issue citations.

Exceptions for Drones in National Parks

The National Park Service will allow drones in rare instances. The park service itself will use drones for fire fighting, search and rescue and similar issues. Drone pilots can request a special use permit. Though rare, the permits have been granted in certain situations. Applications should be sent to a park superintendent. The superintendent then forwards the request to the associate director for visitor resource and protection in Washington D.C.

Other Drone Regulations

The drone regulation about flying in national parks is just one of dozens of rules that drone pilots must follow. Make sure that you don’t get fined (or tased) while trying to enjoy your drone. Make sure that you understand the rules and regulations for drone pilots. For commercial drone pilots (someone flying for a profit or business use), the Federal Aviation Administration requires drone pilots to pass the Part 107 Airman Knowledge Exam. DARTdrones offers courses on passing this complex exam both with an online Part 107 Test Prep Course and a in-person Part 107 Test Prep course.

Now that you have read this article, we bet you will start to notice the “No Drone Zone” signs at most of our country’s national parks. We hope after you have a read this article, we won’t see you out there flying drones in national parks. Happy (and fine-free) flying!

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Drone Journalism and A Changing Landscape

Journalists in any newsroom – big or small, broadcast or print – can tell you how much the media landscape is changing. There’s more pressure to do more things with fewer and fewer journalists. You’re not just expected to cover a story, you’re expected to tweet about it. You have to have your stories ready immediately, not just for a nightly deadline.

Newspapers have witnessed a decrease of more than 10 percent in their newsrooms from 2006 to 2013. While print’s struggles have been talked about at length, the same problem has occurred in broadcast outlets. ESPN cut 300 people from its staff in 2015 and is expected to have another round in the coming weeks. Many other outlets have also laid off personnel.

Meanwhile, drones, like social media, are another possible tool in a news outlet’s toolbox. The cost of a drone isn’t prohibitive, especially for newsrooms that pool resources across different organizations. There are several ways a drone can help a news organization. Drone journalism can provide you images for print or broadcast. They’ll also give you videos for your websites as well.

Drone Journalism and Safety

Journalists go into dangerous places. It’s part of their job to rush to fires, natural disasters, car crashes and other hazardous locations. But it’s not just those events that can put a journalist in harm’s way. Photographers and reporters can end up in precarious circumstances on mundane stories.

Every staff has a photographer who climbed a tree or lightpost to get a different shot of a parade. And they have writers who might get too close to the action at sporting events.

Drones give journalists a chance to be more safe when covering almost all of those stories.

Now let’s look at some ways journalists can use drones.

10 Ways a Journalists Can Use a Drone

1. Pileups on the Highway

The best images from these stories often came from local news stations’ helicopters. Not anymore. Now you can send your drone along the highway for shots that show the scope of the backup. Even police are using drones to record information about crashes.

2. Car Races

Whether its a local dirt track or an iconic speedway, you have a chance to give readers a unique view of the action.

3. Environmental Stories

If your newsroom wants to look at pollution affecting a river, you’ll have a chance to show what the river looks like from the sky. Take shots once a week for a few months to dramatically capture the affect.

4. Investigative Pieces on Infrastructure

If you’ve think some local bridges are suspect, you can get great images with a drone that would have been off limits with a normal camera.

5. Fires 

Sure, you want to get closeup shots of the action, but you could get a strong image from the sky of a giant plume coming from a fire.

6. Floods

Newsrooms often have to hire a photographer to grab an aerial shot of severe flooding damage. Now, a newsroom could use its drone to get shots from high above and close to a flood.

7. Profiles of Iconic Local Properties

If you have a school that’s closing or a local mansion, you could take compelling pictures and video of that will interest your readers/viewers.

8. Fundraisers/5ks/races

Local outdoor fundraisers such as the Race for the Cure or Relay for Life have a new opportunity to get interesting footage and videos.

9. Community Events 

Thanks to drones, you can show the size of the crowd with your new eye from the sky.

10. Police Chases

While you won’t be able to follow along the route, you could get an aerial shot of a chase as it goes by.

This is just a short list of the many ways your newsroom could capitalize on having a drone. Because of new drone technology advancing so quickly, it’s likely new uses for drone journalism will present themselves as well. Follow DARTdrones’ blog to keep up with changes in the drone industry.

Patrick Abdalla is editor of DARTdrones. He spent 13 years working for newspapers. DARTdrones has more than 40 expert drone pilots who train students around the country. Email Patrick at patrick@dartdrones.com. He wrote this post about drone journalism. 

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Until recently, aerial photography relied on manned aircraft, primarily helicopters and airplanes, to take dramatic photographs. Recent changes in guidelines for using drones for commercial businesses (aka FAA Part 107), make operating an aerial photography business using drones a much more economical and potentially profitable business proposition.

Putting a camera in the air will let you see and capture the world in an entirely new way.  So, sit down, buckle up, and get ready for a paradigm shift!  (Check out our drone aerial photography class, and you will be skyward in no time!)

Why Use Drones for Your Aerial Photography Business?

As a tool for photography, drones are simply unmatched.  Sure, each of us brings our own unique perspective into play when we snap that shutter, but some events and situations just “scream” for an aerial shot.

Consider wedding photography, the bread and butter of many photography studios.  Brides want stunning, beautiful imagery to capture the emotions of that day.  It is the photographer’s job to narrate the couple’s story in a way that’s unique.  Increasingly, brides are turning to aerial photography services to make their wedding memorable and special.

What better way to capture the scenery and setting of the wedding venue than by shooting it with cinematic angles up to 400 feet?  Even the most popular studio simply has no way to match an aerial photographer equipped with a state-of-the-art camera drone.

Photographers are Turning to Drone Aerial Photography for Business Growth

For those of you who are already professional photographers, you first need to be open to shooting from different vantage points with moving cameras.  If photography is new to you, you can still capture great images with formal training.  No matter your experience level, practice without the camera attached to the drone, as you will likely crash a few times.

All drones are basically similar.  They consist of a gyroscope or accelerometer to measure roll, pitch and yaw. The latest generation of drones is easier to fly, features better cameras, and includes software that will control much of the flight for you.  Drones can also automatically adjust their individual motors and hover in place while you are setting up the shot.  (It’s similar to cruise control in your car.)

If you have played a lot of video games, you will have an easier time adjusting to a drone’s remote control.  Simply put, the stick on the left controls the throttle and yaw, while the one on the right controls the pitch and roll.  The controller is your radio transmitter and the antenna allows you to communicate with the drone.

If your drone includes smartphone or tablet navigation features, it will take a little more time to figure out.  But do not let that stop you from exploring aerial photography, because most drones that use smart devices are optimized to help the pilot.  You will first have to sync the controller to your smart device and use some form of app to effectively guide the drone (just follow the instructions).  First-person settings and return home features, very common with most drones today, will help you avoid obstacles and not lose track of your drone.

See! Aerial photography is really not intimidating at all.  Think of it as a subsystem of photography with new gear and methodology.

Story and Composition are Vital to Growing a Top-Notch Aerial Photography Business

Remember that, like your camera, a drone is just an extension of your arm. Basic photography principles of leading lines, symmetry, composition and patterns still apply. Effective drone photographers continue to make the images their own, with unique perspectives and editing.

Keep Drone Flight Times to a Minimum

On average, the batteries for most drones will allow around 20 minutes of flight before you need to recharge.  As with any other battery-operated device, the harder you use it the quicker you will blow through the charge.  So, when you are experimenting with aerial photography, consider the shot and the environment before you launch.

Opt for high-altitude photographs (but not too high)

Higher altitude photographs will be create very dramatic shots. Being too close to your subjects may endanger and annoy your subjects. But remember, the maximum allowable altitude for flying a commercial drones is 400 feet.

Shoot at an Angle

For instance, when taking an aerial photograph of guests enjoying the wedding reception, remember to shoot at an angle so you can see people’s faces, not just the tops of their heads.  You also want to avoid flying drones too close to your subjects or directly overhead. Understanding safe operations and FAA regulations will avoid costly accidents and potential litigation. 

Selecting the Right Aerial Photography Drone for your Business

How do you select a drone that is reliable and delivers high-quality footage to take your skills to the next level?  Simple: Pick one you can grow into.  

For aerial photography, DARTdrones recommends the DJI Phantom 4. The Phantom 4 is great fun to fly, and the video footage is so jaw-droppingly beautiful that you will never tire of looking at it.  The drone is compact, lightweight and filled with features, including: GPS, live view, and obstacle avoidance.  To be able to pilot your Phantom 4, you will need to install the DJI GO app on your mobile device.  Once you do that, you will gain access to a really useful feature called “TapFly.”  Using your touch-screen device, simply tap any point in the drone’s field of view and the Phantom 4 will fly will toward it.  Another tap brings it back to you.  

The Phantom 4 features an improved CMOS sensor, allowing it to capture 4k video at 30 frames per second (1080p at 120fps for smooth slow motion) and 12 megapixel stills.  It also offers 4:3 and 16:9 image formats (4:3 offers 4000 x 3000 resolution, while 16:9 crops the top and bottom).  An advanced 3-axis gimbal removes unwanted vibration, so you can capture smooth and fluid footage even during complex maneuvers.

Check out our guide on which DJI Phantom drone model is best for you.

Marketing Your New Aerial Photography Drone Business

Once your company is set-up, you are ready to promote it.  A great concept to keep in mind for aerial photography marketing is “Ask customers what they want, but market what they need.”  What your customers “want” are professional shots.  What they “need” are stress-free photography services they can trust.  Look for person-to-person marketing opportunities that highlight your confidence and personality.

We are in a new era of marketing, more about meaningful engagements than just “getting noticed.”  Consider inbound marketing, which involves creating quality content to organically attract potential clients.  Create a YouTube channel to showcase your work.  Posting on Facebook, Snapchat and Twitter are also great social media options.  Design blogs and podcasts and distribute them.  Linking your website to industry leaders, like DARTdrones, can also help.  It will legitimize your aerial photography business as people seek more information about you.  Finally, explore and become active in drone photography communities and forums.  You will be surprised at how many people share your interests and concerns.

Once you get started in drone photography, you and your clients will be AMAZED at the stunning beauty and unique perspective hidden for all this time.

DARTdrones is the national leader in drone training, consultation and expert support for new drone pilots.  We’re committed to helping the UAV community – drone beginners, more advanced pilots and search-and-rescue services.  Contact us for information and advice.  We’d love to hear from you!

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Owners of DJI’s Phantom or Inspire drones love the robust, smart functions, high resolution camera, gimbal capabilities, and the steady composure these drones boast in the face of wind. But setup, breakdown and packing up are cumbersome—a significant downside when traveling. Enter the DJI Mavic Pro…

DJI Mavic Pro is a drone dream come true for travelers and on-the-go photographers!

DJI has answered our prayers with the launch of the DJI Mavic Pro, its first packable drone. The Mavic is small, around the size of a wine bottle, and its legs and arms fold neatly into the drone making it the clear winner in terms of portability.

Do not be fooled by its size, however. The DJI Mavic Pro camera is tiny, but is still able to capture 12 megapixel still shots and 4K video. Its automated “tricks” include ActiveTrack, Gesture Mode, and TapFly. Gesture Mode lets you command the drone to track you and take a photo by making small gestures with your hand (your own personal hands-free selfie stick).

The Mavic has a range of 4 miles and a top speed of 40 miles an hour, only slightly slower than the Phantom 4’s 44 miles/hour. Flying time has been recorded anywhere between 24-27 minutes, which is significantly longer than any of its competitors.If you purchase the Combo Set, you also receive: extra blades, a sleek carrying case (no bigger than a large fanny pack), 2 batteries, a charging hub, and a car charger.

DJI

Bottom Line: The DJI Mavic Pro is an amazing drone for its tiny size and is sure to become a travel companion for any drone enthusiast. And people are taking notice. At $999 on Amazon, it has sold out, been restocked, and sold out again. Its next shipping date is scheduled for February 2017, and everyone who owns one has attested to its superiority.

It seems DJI has done it again, and has confirmed that great things really do come in small packages!

About DARTdrones Flight School

DARTdrones is the national leader in drone training with the best flight instructors in the industry. We offer classes both online and in-person throughout the country. All of our flight instructors are manned aircraft pilots and certified drone pilots. Our team of experts include FAA Certified Flight Instructors, military veterans, Blackhawk helicopter pilots, commercial airline pilots, and a curriculum developer of one of the Navy’s drone programs. Our classes include:

• Part 107 Test Prep – Learn to pass the FAA’s Part 107 Airman Knowledge Exam with our in-person or online Part 107 Test Prep Course.

• Drone Pilot Training – Learn to fly your DJI Phantom or Inspire in this hands on flight training class.

• Launching a Drone Business Under Part 107 –  Learn the ins and outs of starting your own drone business including Developing Your Drone Business Strategy, Finding Customers, Business Operations, Legal Considerations and Liabilities, and Drone Insurance.

• Custom Training – Our expert can come to your group for custom training. We train corporate groups, small team, police departments, fire departments, and government entities.

Subscribe to Our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoM7P689zFLAcGqgKbEdqHQ

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After what feels like an eternity waiting for GoPro to unveil their new drone, GoPro recalls all Karma drones tonight due to “a small number of cases, [where] Karma units lost power during operation”. Any drone pilot with experience knows that a drone losing power during a flight will likely cause the drone to fall from the sky. This can be catastrophic for not only the drone, but also anything in the aircraft’s wake as it falls. GoPro reports that they are working closely with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission.

Although only a few Karma’s have been reported to be affected, GoPro has recalled all Karma’s on the market. Consumers will receive a full refund for their purchase, including purchases of GoPro Care for Karma and all Karma accessories. Note that the recall is not for the HERO5 Black or the Karma Grip, but if these items were purchased as a part of the bundle, consumers will need to return the items with the Karma for a full refund.

If you purchased from Best Buy or bestbuy.com, contact Best Buy recall hotline at 1-800-566-7498 or visit online support here. If you purchased from gopro.com, contact customer support at 1-866-886-3001 or visit online support here.

GoPro unveiled the Karma in September of 2016. The Karma is a foldable, travel size, drone equipped to use a GoPro camera. The Karma came out originally priced at $799, but consumers also needed to purchase the GoPro Hero 5 making the total price around $1200. Within a few weeks, in response GoPro’s release of the Karma, DJI released  the DJI Mavic Pro, a direct competitor with GoPro’s Karma. The Mavic Pro is smaller than the Karma and is the size of a water bottle, has a 27 minute flight time, and costs $999. It looks like those who decided to go for DJI are happy with their decision today.  

DARTdrones is a national flight school for drone pilots offering in-person training in 45 cities as well as online training courses. 

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Now, drones aid in creating memorable advertisements – they are the new power duo for marketing. Forget the lackluster old ways of TV, drones are an interactive and engaging experience for brands to utilize. Drones are able to access new locations and places where traditional advertising cannot. This leads to increased brand awareness through fascinated onlookers and an engagement level that couldn’t be reached before.

Companies such as Maserati have been implementing drones to give a new perspective to their advertisements. Soaring above the racing car, consumers are able to feel the speed and energy of the car, telling more about the experience of driving one of Maserati’s cars, rather than concentrating on the actual car itself. A Brazilian company, Camisaria Colombo, deployed headless mannequins attached to drones showcasing the men’s clothing the store was selling for its Black Friday campaign. This tactic is an uncommon, and creepy one, but it amused consumers and helped the company cash in on Black Friday. The company was able to reach consumers who were walking the streets, but also the office workers who were stuck in behind their desks inside. As these workers gazed out the window, they would have seen one of these flying mannequins, creating a shock factor and a huge interest in what was being advertised.

Companies are revolutionizing their marketing tactics through the use of drones. Aerial views for drones allow for stunning and encompassing shots, which companies like Red Bull have been using to showcase the many events they host such as their Competitive Freeride Snowboarding. Patron has also taken advantage of drones and launched a campaign where they shot the distillery process from the perspective of a bee. By attaching cameras to a drone, they’re able to give the curious customer a bee’s eye view as the bee floats through the fields of Patron’s distillery. These untraditional ways of using drones, launches these companies into great success. These two companies aren’t using drones to advertise their product, instead they’re using drones to advertise the lifestyle and story behind their brand. Patron is using drones to tell the story behind the craftsmanship of their tequila and to show the people who are involved in the process of creating the industry leading tequila. The bee’s-eye view adds more to the experience as users are cast around the distillery, free from the constraint of the computer or desk they’re sitting at. The use of the drone gives more to the customer who instead of just watching or skipping through an advertisement as so many of us do, the customer now is completely involved and immersed in who Patron tequila is and what they have to offer.

As more companies want to get the forefront of their industries, drones and advertising are the new marketing tool to launch them in that direction. Drones are improving campaigns in a visual sense, but soon they’ll be used in ways to help make the brand that much better. Amazon has been toying with the idea of using drones as a method of shipment to get orders to customers faster called Prime Air. While this isn’t a traditional method of marketing and advertising, by launching Prime Air this would further advance Amazon as the go-to retailer.

So don’t be surprised this summer if you see a drone hovering overhead, for all you know, you’re going to be featured in the next great visual campaign.

https://vimeo.com/38452559

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For a professional photographer, the price of a drone is nothing unusual compared to the price of their camera equipment. Drones are now capable of carrying small high resolution cameras as well as high end DSLR cameras which make them much more useful for progressive photographers.

http://youtu.be/zShayLPK8Xc

Up until a few years ago the only way to get the shots you can with a drone was by way of helicopter. Helicopters are expensive and you cannot always get the shot you want. Using drones for photography can allow the photographer to get the perfect altitude and angle as well as being able to hover closer to the ground.

Drones are already being used in sporting events such as downhill skiing to film and get closer to the action. The technology has advanced so much that the video can be streamed from the drone to televisions across America. A drone can get the same angle as a helicopter but not disrupt what is going on below.

Here at DARTdrones, we have noticed that many of our customers are taking our classes in order to feel more comfortable when flying their drone for photography. In the near future we will introduce a class tailored just for people who are planning on using drones for photography.

In order to get great shots from a drone you must be able to fly it. The more confident you feel flying, the better your drone photography will be. This is why it is important to know what you are doing before you take off.

https://www.skypixel.com/creations

If you are a photographer wanting to add a drone to your toolkit, and are scared about flying while taking video and pictures, there are drones that allow one person to fly and one person to control the camera. This allows one person to focus on flying the drone and the other to focus on the control of the camera.

Image © PopPhoto

Most of the time the quality equipment a photographer uses does not make them a better photographer; however, using drones for photography actually does make a photographer’s work much more interesting.

 Drones for photography can also be utilized by news outlets. Getting that angle that no one else has is extremely important to stay in the running with competitive stations. Drones can provide that edge that some stations might need.

Drones are becoming much more popular for photographers and videographers just like the digital camera was when it came out. The technology was so much better that everyone wanted one in order to stay competitive with everyone else, drones hopefully will be the same way in photography/videography.

Image © Fromwhereidrone

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