Does anyone know a good spot to take off from and get some good shots of the sears tower in Chicago?
It is no longer Sears Tower. The name now is Willis Towers.Does anyone know a good spot to take off from and get some good shots of the sears tower in Chicago?
I recall when it was built and of course, I went up to the observation tower. It will always be Sears to me too. I was born on the north side, 1938, Lived near Pulaski and Peterson, attended Senn HS, U. Illinois Pharmacy, and U. Illinois Med school here as well as Michael Reese Internship. As a kid, I delivered medical supplies to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field from my dad's nearby drugstore! I am a real Chicagoan.@Dale D: sorry sir, but to all real Chicagoans, it'll always be Sears Tower.
@MavicMiniPilot: There's a small park on the corner of Adams St and Desplaines St with good views. You should be able to take off from there (following all drone rules, of course).
Right now- I would not live in Chicago. I loved Richard Daly but after that, not so much. The condition of the city now is disgusting. Such a beautiful city, ruined by these idiot mayors. The crime rate and murder rate, shootings, and un-prosecuted crooks is disgusting. Of course this has nothing to do with drones, so I think the moderator will take issue and we should close this subject.Don't take offense, sir. It's only good natured ribbing.
I grew up in the Southside, then moved to Ashland and Augusta. I'm a Whitney Young H.S. alum and worked as a Chicago Police Officer until I retired, then moved West. Will always love the city, just not in the winter. Lol
Robert
Now a Californian.
That might work, but looks like there are some pretty tall buildings between that park and Willis.@Dale D: sorry sir, but to all real Chicagoans, it'll always be Sears Tower.
@MavicMiniPilot: There's a small park on the corner of Adams St and Desplaines St with good views. You should be able to take off from there (following all drone rules, of course).
Its not illegal, nor are either of those parks high traffic. By the lakefront and all along Grant park, the police are pretty down on drone flyers- when there's a lot of people. Well, Grant Park most of the time, but those 2 parks I doubt anyone will give you a problem.Too many witnesses and you're just asking for trouble.
Yeah I guess those two areas highlighted look doable. I lived in Chicago and had people trying to steal my bike if I just rested on a bench with my eyes closed along the lake front. Can or will a person maintain VLOS? Believe me I am not a stickler on the rules and break VLOS every flight but I live in the desert of NM. Maybe find a parking garage and go to the top floor and take off from there. But for me, too many people.Its not illegal, nor are either of those parks high traffic. By the lakefront and all along Grant park, the police are pretty down on drone flyers- when there's a lot of people. Well, Grant Park most of the time, but those 2 parks I doubt anyone will give you a problem.
I think the most dramatic shot would be to fly east towards the lake, down the river at a 100 feet height over several bridges. Trying to get as close to the river edge for take off for better line of sight.That might work, but looks like there are some pretty tall buildings between that park and Willis.
Could also consider Oscar DeAngleo Park- at Franklin and Harrison, fly out over the river and get a decent view. Its also possible that even there might be too close to get the top of the tower.
See the circled park I marked "2" on the screenshot:
View attachment 165319
There's lots of interesting views - if you aren't opposed to driving a bit. Or afraid of urban environments.I think the most dramatic shot would be to fly east towards the lake, down the river at a 100 feet height over several bridges. Trying to get as close to the river edge for take off for better line of sight.
Dale
(ex-Chicagoan).
All beautiful shots! Great work!There's lots of interesting views - if you aren't opposed to driving a bit. Or afraid of urban environments.View attachment 165324View attachment 165325View attachment 165326
Hi Jeff:Thanks Dale. Where in Chicago did you used to live?
and where in Miami now? You definitely have more opportunity to fly & great subject matter within easy reach down there...
Of course this discussion has nothing at all to do with drones but , hey, what the heck, we' re having fun here. So we actually have a lot in common. Perhaps you may recall the famous Ashkenaz Restaurant , the Jewish deli in Rogers Park. Well, that was my great uncle (my dad's brother) who owned it. Don't know if you recall Ravenswood Hospital, my birthplace! And my dad's drug store, The Stratford Drugs store on Buena and Broadway, and later my dad bought a pharmacy in the Uptown Bank Building across from the Uptown Theatre. I worked there helping him fill prescriptions.I know all these areas well. I grew up in the South Shore. 68th & Jeffery.
But after college my first apt. was at Dakin & Sheridan. Behind the Sheridan/Irving L stop.
Then moved to Rogers Park- by Loyola.
Then to I lived just off Granville in 3 different places from 1981-2000- Granville east of Damen, then Ravenswood, then Washtenaw.
And last 23 yrs 5 blocks north still on Washtenaw by Albion.
But funnier yet, I was actually born in Miami, Coral Gables to be specific because my parents were going to University of Miami at the time and my grandparents lived in Coral Gables. And I was back-and-forth between Chicago and Coral Gables up until the mid-1990s.
I thought the question was about where to take off, not whether you like the local politics. Did I miss something?I’m definitely risking getting banned from MavicPilots. Why does everyone have to be offended by everything? I get it that you have your own personal experiences at different places but it has led to the point where it is off topic and should not be mentioned on this forum. Nothing that was said was inappropriate but it was just off topic. This is a drone forum!