Recent content by tdowler

Someone answered this, but it has a pilot on board and falls under Part 103 and is not considered a drone/UAS. Under Part 103 (ultralights) there are no licensing requirements for the pilot or aircraft, but training is HIGHLY recommended regardless of aircraft. Part 103 includes paragliders...

An absolutely beautiful country. Hoping for a swift victory and quick recovery for Ukraine.

I always refer to getting a certification or license as being a learner's permit. Like others have said, the piece of paper only gives us the go-ahead to build our skills.

The drone was getting kicked around pretty hard while descending. The gimbal was working hard and doing a good job keeping the video stable. The transmitter and drone kept a good connection as well. Overall it was a good verification of abilities. I don't know the legalities to make that flight...

Welcome to the hobby and the forum!

Hate you lost the drone. I've taken off and landed in a few sketchy locations but will rethink my choices now.

Great conversation! I learned some new methods to approximate wind speed. I start by checking my local TV station's app hour-by-hour forecast and radar for any expected weather changes. I ALWAYS check the UAV Forecast app and double check it just before takeoff. Like others have mentioned, I...

Whoa! I was not expecting it to be tipped over. It played tricks on my eyes for a second. Lol! Sort of like the old Hitchcock effect of moving backward while zooming in.

Ha! Nicely done. Why did I instantly wonder if that could be done on a slow moving vehicle?

It's after the flying season for farms in the U.S. (today is December 1st) but a conversation earlier in the year with a farmer made me realize how things could go sour quickly. I introduced myself and asked if it was ok if I flew nearby and took video of his tractors working in the field. He...

I've wondered about the agriculture and inspection related drones where the flight path is created and technology takes over the flight. I've watched numerous videos and only one video mentioned a visual observer presence.

Very nicely done! Really enjoyed your video and, hope you don't mind, gleaned a few ideas from it.

I like your label! I might put a similar label on my spare props. I learn lessons from every near miss or "hard landing" but a label would help remind of those lessons each time I saw the label. Thanks for the idea.

Locally, our small town (population 29,000) police department has a drone and a couple of officers on staff that fly it. I'm not sure whether our county sheriff's department has a drone or not but I suspect that they do. I've never heard of any local civilians being asked to assist law...

I've had a couple of close calls with electrical wires flying my M2P. Once right by my house with a group of wires similar to what was in the OP video. I was confident that I was above all of them and did not realize until I was editing footage that I flew between two of them. The other time I...