Recent content by hank970

I've never flown in complete darkness but have used RTH to land my drone in twilight conditions long after sunset. No need to adjust RTH altitude if it's already set to clear local obstructions. Trees and powerlines don't get higher at night. I always ascend straight up to 7 meters (about 23...

I'm no doubt naive when it comes to the motives and methods of the world's bad actors. But, as a practical matter, of what conceivable value are my (or anyone else's) flight data to them? I'd imagine they have bigger fish to fry.

How many of you would support a practical "driving" requirement as part of the Part 107 licensing process? Private pilots need to log many hours in the cockpit with an instructor and then solo and complete a cross-country flight before getting their wings. Commercial pilots have to jump though...

A view of some peaks in Colorado's San Juan range. More snow headed this way on Sunday, 11/16.

What difference would it make if the so-called security audit were completed on time or, for that matter, if it were ever completed? Does anyone seriously think that it would absolve DJI and Autel of alleged sins? It's over, folks. The only remaining question is whether the ban will adversely...

The US is heading in that direction, with assaults on universities and university administrators prompted by dubious claims of antisemitism or political bias, assaults on media giants prompted by claims of political bias, assaults on the federal workforce, assaults on select (blue) cities based...

This derelict mine works is located in a canyon hundreds of feet below US Hwy 550 a couple of miles south of Red Mountain Pass. I was able to catch just a glimpse of it from the roadway and stopped at the next pullout to launch my drone.

Located on the site of the American Boy Mine in the San Juan Mountains near what's left of Ironton, Colorado. Kind of an overcast day. I launched from a roadside pullout on US Hwy 550 a few miles south of Ouray.

Whatever he earns, I hope that Billy has enough sense to save for something more noble than to buy a forty-year-old car that was crap when new and hasn't improved with age. It would be wiser of him to use his funds to improve his credentials, either academically or vocationally, so he becomes...

Yes, and in this digital age, it's also easier to eliminate transient and intrusive human elements (in a landscape or architectural shot, for example), by stacking and processing multiple images. I can also use stacking to "calm" choppy water or convey a sense of movement in flowing water...

You fly FPV at high speeds in controlled airspace at night? Regardless of altitude limits, an even with prior authorization, that seems like a risky proposition.

I think ND filters are useless if you plan to shoot stills only. Camera sensors are biased to assume an overall scene reflectance of 18%. If you put on an ND filter. the camera will simply interpret the scene as too dark and will adjust shutter speed to still yield 18% reflectance. If the...

Speaking of NORAD, there were some Cold War tests conducted (1948-52) by DoD in Unaweep Canyon, about 20 miles SE of my home. They were meant to determine the seismic properties and blast-worthiness of granite before excavations began on the NORAD facility in Cheyenne Mountain. They dug two...

I can't imagine going through life with the fear that other folks are out to get me. There's no target on my back.

Darn, it appears that my days as a spy may be come to an end before I even get started. How will I be able to share aerial photos of the scenic rock formations a half mile behind my home with the Chinese Communist Party and the People's Liberation Army if there's a retroactive banning of my DJI...