Fun day with the drone then tragedy

[DougAles]

So, what has Doug been up to?


A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure to volunteer as a drone videographer at a fund raising event on the water. As a droner and boater, what a great way to spend the day. I was one of two drone volunteers, plus I saw some random drones flying from time to time at this all day event.


Good news, with all workers volunteers, this event raised $7,000 for the Old Glory Honor Flights. That’s enough money for 14 veterans to go to Washington DC on a flight.


Warning, and the bad news. If you take time to watch this video, and you are a educated drone operator, you are going to see content that breaks current FAA rules. Thats not content I captured.


So what’s with the warning? The other drone operator, a recent veteran and fellow boater who I choose to believe didn’t know the rules changed as he was deployed overseas, was tragically killed shortly after this event, ran over by a car with his motorcycle. He was a genuinely nice guy and newlywed who I spent the day with earlier at a gangster themed boat party.


Two weeks ago, Annette and I were at our boat club meeting which travels each month and was being held at Fremont Wisconsin’s Pine Grove. It was at that meeting when we were told our fellow club member had died a few hours earlier that day. Rightly so, the event organizer dedicated this video to our lost friend.


Out of respect for my fallen veteran friend, I request your comments on the legality of the drone video content be thoughtful given what occurred. Thank you.

 

[BigAl07]

Hate to hear that about your friend.

I'd re-edit that video and pull all the sUAS footage out. That's gonna get you a crap load of "visibility" from an ABC group. It makes legal and legit operations look really bad.

Good luck!
Allen

 

[DougAles]

Hate to hear that about your friend.

I'd re-edit that video and pull all the sUAS footage out. That's gonna get you a crap load of "visibility" from an ABC group. It makes legal and legit operations look really bad.

Good luck!
Allen

Thank you Allen.

Unfortunately, it’s not my editing nor my YouTube channel. Nor is it under my control.

I provided concerns and decided to stop there given the circumstances.


However, I don’t see how the FAA could go after the deceased. I keep my flight records so I’m comfortable if they ever came to me requesting my flight details.

Again, thank you

 

[BigAl07]

I agree about "going after the deceased" but man that video makes all of us look like yahoos. . .

 

[OldGoatMTB]

If it isn't your video and you don't think anyone is going to get into trouble then what exactly are you looking for? You already know that it was against the rules. He got some cool shots but it does look like it borders reckless and responsable, but I think you already realize that. As to whether the publishers get a free pass because the videographer is no longer with us I don't have the answer to that, but I would think they may not if he was acting as their agent, even an unpaid one.

 

[DougAles]

.....then what exactly are you looking for?

I’m not sure. Perhaps sharing this is helping me personally with emotional closure. Sorry, thats the best answer I can come up with, but at least its honest.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

I’m not sure. Perhaps sharing this is helping me personally with emotional closure. Sorry, thats the best answer I can come up with, but at least its honest.

No problem, sorry for sounding harsh. It really was some epic footage over the crowds, the kind we'd all love to shoot.

 

[Mragonese]

Awesome video and an event I wish I was at. Sorry for the loss of your friend.

 

[Cymruflyer]

I am just wondering how a public showing of his poor choice drone flying footage would help you with your emotional closure. As sad as such a loss might be.

 

[RickinWaST]

Thanks for sharing this and I'm guessing it took some courage to post it.

 

[Bigbird48]

Doug, So very sorry for the loss of your friend. Great Job on the fund raiser. I too am a Biker and I ride with the PGR and have stood flaglines at many Honor Flight Send offs and returns Both at MHT Manchester NH and PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor.There pretty emotional events.One stands out in particular. We were escorting a bus load of WWll Veterans from the Veterans Home in Manchester NH. It was in Oct and I believe the last Flight of the year. It was 5 am Dark and raining and The Vets were coming out and getting on the Bus and this one Vet being push to the bus in a wheel chair I said good morning sir how are you this morning, and he looked up at me Big smile on his face and he says Hey I'm dancin in the rain just dancin in the rain,and I just forgot how cold I was and wet I was and that just made the whole day easier.
Honor our Vets and if your reading this and get a chance to go to an Honor Flight send off or return you won't regret it.

 

[Deleted member 93449]

Sorry to hear about your friend. I fly drones and ride a motorcycle so there is an instant connection to the spirit that inspires folks to enjoy those activities. And the warning is well worth repeating. I don't know the details of the accident but you can be doing just about everything right and still have things go terribly wrong. Be careful out there folks.

 

[Lets Fly]

Sorry for your loss, but if that beachball at 36 seconds hit that drone the story would have been different with it coming down in that crowd.

 

[rustykfd]

[Removed by Admin]

Healing happens in lots of ways. What makes sense to you may not to someone else.

Have a little respect for a guy sharing what he has for memories of a friend.

Yes, it’s an example of less than responsible drone use, he already knows that.

May your friend RIP.

 

[GFields]

Doug, sorry for the loss of your friend. My thoughts and prayers for the family and friends. I'm not going to comment on the video, enough has been said.

 

[Smokieflies]

Sorry for the loss. I did not see anyone objecting to the drone flying overhead. Did the attendee's know there was going to be drone footage shoot at the event? And a little careless with the drone might have resulted a a loss of a $1000 toy or injured a couple of people. Loosing a life over something we all drive ever day a think matters a little more here.

 

[Sergeant]

That certainly is a example of some poor decision making in flying over people.

 

[Daytona500]

I think the Poster gets closure by remembering the good times he had here with his friend. It looks like a great party and fun for all. Lets forget the drone made a few bad moves and remember how much fun they had before the tragedy.