Any resources about flying close to buildings/structures?

[JoshC]

I'm looking to do some videography close to buildings, including in courtyards, detail shots of buildings, etc. I'm wanting to learn more about some of the risk factors, including possible wind around buildings, what is the necessary safe distance etc.
Does anyone know any good resources where I can learn more about this topic, or have any tips from first hand experience?

 

[THE CYBORG]

I presume you have permission for your venture

Wind around buildings is unpredictable so fly on a calm day.

Safe distance, sensors on or off ?

It all depends on how confident & good a pilot you are so only fly as close as you feel comfortable.

A spotter could be handy, if you are looking at your screen while filming you may not realise how close you actually are.

 

[Starz]

Just keep in mind your line of sight factor.
And practice.

 

[PhantomFandom]

I'm looking to do some videography close to buildings, including in courtyards, detail shots of buildings, etc. I'm wanting to learn more about some of the risk factors, including possible wind around buildings, what is the necessary safe distance etc.
Does anyone know any good resources where I can learn more about this topic, or have any tips from first hand experience?

Good tips from previous responses already.

I have needed to fly fairly close to buildings, structures, steeples, and slanted roofs for inspections.

I do always try to have a Visual observer (VO) so that I can concentrate on taking pictures and video.

Don't do this where you are surrounded by tall buildings and thus will not have GPS coverage. Navigating close to buildings in ATTI mode is a dangerous propsotion.

I leave my CA sensors on since I really never need to get any closer than 15 feet to a structure. At that distance the pictures are detailed enough for any purpose. This is even more true with the M2Z. I never have any reason to get closer.

Of course follow all FAA regulations, including Not Flying Over People.

 

[JoshC]

Thanks for the tips. I do have some experience, starting with the mavic mini, which was pretty good for getting in close and flying through structures. Very easy to control and I had the control sensitivity dampened a lot. Bit of a different game with a larger drone though.

Probably the best advice here is about a spotter and line of sight. Trying to do videography you're obviously focused on the screen to check your movements. The additional factor is where you are going to stand - either you or the spotter - to achieve line of sight while not being in the shot, especially for dynamic camera movements.

I live in Berlin, Germany, where there is a massive exclusion zone (5 nautical miles around the parliament), plus many other restrictions, so it's not very easy to find structures to practice with, and most of my flying is out of the city in open spaces.