Hi all,
Having read about confrontations people have had, I suppose it was inevitable to experience one myself. The closest I had ever come was either general curiosity (nice people) and one guy asked whether it was ok to fly where we were (he also owns a M2P).
A few days back I stopped by a pond adjacent to a hillside vineyard and thought it would make for nice shots and video as the hills here are still so green. I was just about to fly when a car pulled up, somewhat awkwardly next to me. I folded up the M2P and put it back in my car, assuming I would go elsewhere.
I began looking at AirMap to plot where I might go next when the woman driving the car knocked on my window. She had seen my M2P and suggested I shouldn't fly there because there were eagles nesting and she was there professionally to check on them. She then suggested some places to fly where people do other RC things. I had my Canon DSLR on the seat next to me and said that I'm not really interested in flying RC, and that I use my drone for the photography.
She seemed somewhat surprised at my answer and asked, "I know those things can shoot video, but is the quality really any good?"
I then showed her some photos, a short video, and a timelapse on my phone and she was genuinely stunned.
In an instant, she became supportive and began describing locations I could consider where wildflowers were blooming and where I could probably get some shots of the hills and valleys speckled with ponds and creeks.
From the moment she knocked on my window, while firm and committed to her message, she was completely professional and cordial. And once she understood that there are those of us who are not out to bother wildlife or people, but actually capture the beauty from a safe distance, she became incredibly friendly, helpful, and delightful. I traveled to one of her suggested locations, and as described it was lovely and a great location for flying.
I suspect all encounters won't end this way, but thought I would pass along a good outcome.
Having read about confrontations people have had, I suppose it was inevitable to experience one myself. The closest I had ever come was either general curiosity (nice people) and one guy asked whether it was ok to fly where we were (he also owns a M2P).
A few days back I stopped by a pond adjacent to a hillside vineyard and thought it would make for nice shots and video as the hills here are still so green. I was just about to fly when a car pulled up, somewhat awkwardly next to me. I folded up the M2P and put it back in my car, assuming I would go elsewhere.
I began looking at AirMap to plot where I might go next when the woman driving the car knocked on my window. She had seen my M2P and suggested I shouldn't fly there because there were eagles nesting and she was there professionally to check on them. She then suggested some places to fly where people do other RC things. I had my Canon DSLR on the seat next to me and said that I'm not really interested in flying RC, and that I use my drone for the photography.
She seemed somewhat surprised at my answer and asked, "I know those things can shoot video, but is the quality really any good?"
I then showed her some photos, a short video, and a timelapse on my phone and she was genuinely stunned.
In an instant, she became supportive and began describing locations I could consider where wildflowers were blooming and where I could probably get some shots of the hills and valleys speckled with ponds and creeks.
From the moment she knocked on my window, while firm and committed to her message, she was completely professional and cordial. And once she understood that there are those of us who are not out to bother wildlife or people, but actually capture the beauty from a safe distance, she became incredibly friendly, helpful, and delightful. I traveled to one of her suggested locations, and as described it was lovely and a great location for flying.
I suspect all encounters won't end this way, but thought I would pass along a good outcome.
