3 Bellingham, WA: July 4th Fireworks Show

[bitsbytes]

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

This was my first time flying at night, used a strobe and had authorization to fly in the airspace. Used Mavic 3 night mode, so the footage was fairly good, although I was somewhat nervous trying to fly and make sure my other camera was recording video and audio properly. I wasn't harassed by security, event staff, police, or anyone else, which made for a fairly uneventful flight.

Unfortunately multiple DJI mini drones were launched without a strobe in the controlled airspace, which caused a significant safety issue and I wasn't able to move around very much due to being unable to see the other drones. For people flying at night, especially at a crowded public event, please follow the rules and use a strobe. I don't want to crash into you.

 

[hagman23]

Unfortunately multiple DJI mini drones were launched without a strobe in the controlled airspace, which caused a significant safety issue and I wasn't able to move around very much due to being unable to see the other drones.

I have had to deal with this for a number of years - I am paid to capture our annual fireworks event, I'm usually the largest drone flying, strobe and lower light on as well. My wife/vo helps me to make sure no one gets too close to me. It's a pain, but it is just about the only way to do it safely.

 

[bitsbytes]

I have had to deal with this for a number of years - I am paid to capture our annual fireworks event, I'm usually the largest drone flying, strobe and lower light on as well. My wife/vo helps me to make sure no one gets too close to me. It's a pain, but it is just about the only way to do it safely.

Yep. Unfortunately this is what happens because I generally fly by myself, so there isn't much I can really do except be careful. Trying to manage a camera and a drone at the same time is a pain in the *** (but worth it in this case). The mini DJI drones have no lights at all, which is a pain in the ***. Surprisingly I could actually see the built-in red and green orientation lights of the Mavic 3 from over half a mile away.