Look, I see the bigger picture, the trends. Soon none of us will even /ever be able to do something like that anymore. I saw an chance, I took it. No one was harmed. Pilot legislation will get imposed one way or another, DJI is already doing it self imposed. Everything had its "wild west" days from computers to the Internet and now the drone industry IS growing up, so to speak. I saw a very narrow window of opportunity, I took reasonable precautions, and its not something my future children or grand children will ever get to do, so can you really blame me for trying it while the going was still good?
Lets be mature and honest. No public shaming going on here but more so an educated approach. Here is the rundown.
The chance to fly around the Iconic POI of Auckland New Zealand and capture footage that not many have.
The choices:
Do it, go for it.. All the conditions are right. Lets do it. Launch in the air and get the shots set up.
(Pros: You can post the video up and get the thumbs up, the likes ,, hell maybe even over 6 mil in view on You tube and get some extra cha ching in your pocket.)
(Cons: ((Thinking at the time)) Wind takes the drone and makes it mash into a building and gets crushed. Looses control and it ends up on a roof you can not get to, or falls to the ground and you have to say "Oh sorry I didnt know you couldnt do that here I am a tourist and if the fit really hits the shan I will run to the nearest US embassy and say, "Hey man I am just a guy on vacation this is just my playground save me from the people that are mad at me."
Sorry this is how it really works:
(In the headlines today:
Another drone and Airline near miss happened today coming nearly 10 feet within an aircraft. // Or// A drone was spotted flying around a high rise landmark of New Zealand today, promoting authorities to rethink their security and aviation guidelines at due to the risk of terrorism and other safety concerns. ))
Meanwhile others that are out here busting our *** to keep to guidelines and rules and making the powers that be feel comfortable and safe from headlines like this are SHAT on by guys that think of no one but them self and have no honor in what it is they have access to. Or who they ruin it for. But filled with justification.
Fine line right now between owning a wrong and making up excuses. No need for comment on either, thats for you to ponder and come to terms with. Your choice.
FYI- If your done would have come down and smashed into my sons head while we were downtown enjoying some weekend ice cream, it would be have a good idea to run to that embassy. (Just adding some perspective from a former US military Captain.)