Going to Hawaii in Sept, here's what I decided to take

[Droning on and on...]

With all the drones I own, and wanting to get some footage in Hawaii, it was hard to decide what to take with limited packing space. Here's what I settled on...

I really want to do some FPV. So, Avata 2 seems an obvious choice. However, I came up with a better overall solution after finding a hard case specifically for the Neo, but with space for Goggles 3, MC3, and RC2. While the camera isn't as good, I ultimately went this route because it gave me very similar (if not slower) FPV flying, either sticks or MC3. I have the other flexible options with the Neo for simple selfie shots with our friends as we travel around Oahu, and there's limited phone control if I need it. Yes, I'd much rather have the Avata 2, but the versatility of the Neo is worth the compromise. And, the camera does pretty well in bright sunshine, which is the conditions I'll be using it in any way.

However, I expect I'll want to take some much better stills, and perhaps some video, during the early and late golden hours. Remember that this new case holds to RC2 as well? Packing the Mini 4 Pro in my suitcase and bringing one plus size battery, I'll have that covered. Takes so little space folded up. What a great design.

This is one of those times I'm grateful to be a DJI Fanboy, with so many options to choose from. The Neo continues to impress me with its utility. For anyone considering a similar situation, here's the case I got from Amazon...

 

[GFields]

Nice setup!

 

[tca]

With all the drones I own, and wanting to get some footage in Hawaii, it was hard to decide what to take with limited packing space. Here's what I settled on...

I really want to do some FPV. So, Avata 2 seems an obvious choice. However, I came up with a better overall solution after finding a hard case specifically for the Neo, but with space for Goggles 3, MC3, and RC2. While the camera isn't as good, I ultimately went this route because it gave me very similar (if not slower) FPV flying, either sticks or MC3. I have the other flexible options with the Neo for simple selfie shots with our friends as we travel around Oahu, and there's limited phone control if I need it. Yes, I'd much rather have the Avata 2, but the versatility of the Neo is worth the compromise. And, the camera does pretty well in bright sunshine, which is the conditions I'll be using it in any way.

However, I expect I'll want to take some much better stills, and perhaps some video, during the early and late golden hours. Remember that this new case holds to RC2 as well? Packing the Mini 4 Pro in my suitcase and bringing one plus size battery, I'll have that covered. Takes so little space folded up. What a great design.

This is one of those times I'm grateful to be a DJI Fanboy, with so many options to choose from. The Neo continues to impress me with its utility. For anyone considering a similar situation, here's the case I got from Amazon...

When I went to Hawaii I decided to to my
Mavic 3 Pro instead of the Mini 4 Pro and I am glad I did because it was really windy everyday we were there [ 12 days ]....just a thought.

 

[CorgiDaizu]

Make sure to check Air Aware for controlled airspace areas. Huge chunk of the south shore and a big chunk of the east side have controlled airspace due to proximity to airports or military bases. Regardless, there's still a lot of beautiful areas to film and shoot that are not in controlled airspace.

 

[Photobobhunt]

I was in Hawaii last year and had my share of trouble flying .
I was confronted by police for attempting to fly in a non restricted zone ( a scenic pull off). I had checked for restrictions and found none but he finally said he would give me a parking ticket . I HAD MY MINI 2 ne had a gun, so I passed on flying .
What annoyed me was that he had no knowledge of the rules and said he wouldn't let anybody fly because he had the authority to do so. Which he didn't.....but he did have a gun.
I hope you have better luck.

 

[CorgiDaizu]

I was in Hawaii last year and had my share of trouble flying .
I was confronted by police for attempting to fly in a non restricted zone ( a scenic pull off). I had checked for restrictions and found none but he finally said he would give me a parking ticket . I HAD MY MINI 2 ne had a gun, so I passed on flying .
What annoyed me was that he had no knowledge of the rules and said he wouldn't let anybody fly because he had the authority to do so. Which he didn't.....but he did have a gun.
I hope you have better luck.

What scenic pull off was that? If It was the Makapu'u Lighthouse Lookout, it is not considered controlled airspace, however, there are signs posted saying "No Drones"

 

[Photobobhunt]

It wasn't that spot. I would have respect a posting. But local authorities can restrict where you launch from, but not where you fly. The only authority is the FAA. With some exceptions, National & State parks. But technically only the launch point.
I have gotten permission to fly in some state parks since I am 107 certified (a good reason to take the 107 test) . I have also gotten LAANC authorization to fly in controlled airspace.
The problem with the drone community is many flyers don't know or don't follow the rules.
Also when consumer drones were introduced to the world around 2014 they had limited range and capability.......virtually toys. It did not take to long for the drones to become real aircraft, that anyone can buy and fly........without any training.

 

[GadgetGuy]

I was in Hawaii last year and had my share of trouble flying .
I was confronted by police for attempting to fly in a non restricted zone ( a scenic pull off). I had checked for restrictions and found none but he finally said he would give me a parking ticket . I HAD MY MINI 2 ne had a gun, so I passed on flying .
What annoyed me was that he had no knowledge of the rules and said he wouldn't let anybody fly because he had the authority to do so. Which he didn't.....but he did have a gun.
I hope you have better luck.

How did you end up with a parking ticket for parking in a scenic pull off?
What was the parking ticket for?

 

[Photobobhunt]

How did you end up with a parking ticket for parking in a scenic pull off?
What was the parking ticket for?

The officer knew he couldn't give me a summons for flying my drone so he said he would give me a parking ticket,because I was parking to fly instead of just stopping for a quick view. (lol)
I decided it wasn't worth arguing with him so I just left.
No voices were raised, and he did not write me a ticket .

 

[mavic3usa]

What scenic pull off was that? If It was the Makapu'u Lighthouse Lookout, it is not considered controlled airspace, however, there are signs posted saying "No Drones"

Here are the relevant laws cited on that sign.

Haw. Code R. § 13-146-9 - Aircraft

www.law.cornell.edu

Haw. Code R. § 13-146-28 - Modelcraft operation; kite flying

www.law.cornell.edu

and here's the parking law:

Haw. Code R. § 13-146-29 - Parking

www.law.cornell.edu

 

[GadgetGuy]

The officer knew he couldn't give me a summons for flying my drone so he said he would give me a parking ticket,because I was parking to fly instead of just stopping for a quick view. (lol)
I decided it wasn't worth arguing with him so I just left.
No voices were raised, and he did not write me a ticket .

So he merely threatened to write you a parking ticket if you persisted in your attempt to fly while parked in a scenic overlook. Wise that you left. No parking ticket and no summons.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Here are the relevant laws cited on that sign.

Haw. Code R. § 13-146-9 - Aircraft

www.law.cornell.edu

Haw. Code R. § 13-146-28 - Modelcraft operation; kite flying

www.law.cornell.edu

and here's the parking law:

Haw. Code R. § 13-146-29 - Parking

www.law.cornell.edu

How do you interpret all that legalese, for someone attempting to fly a drone while parked there, while a uniformed man with a badge and a gun strongly suggests that he will regret it, if he persists in his attempted flight?

 

[mavic3usa]

How do you interpret all that legalese, for someone attempting to fly a drone while parked there, while a uniformed man with a badge and a gun strongly suggests that he will regret it, if he persists in his attempted flight?

I don't think you do. Personally I believe the point of posting the statute on the sign is to point out there is some sort of law backing up the directive. If I were in the OP position, I probably would have responded the same and live to fight another day. Maybe the statue says it, maybe it doesn't. but if you are not familiar then you probably don't want to take the change especially if you are somewhere like a state park where it's very possible there is such a law unlike on a random street corner.

As opposed to a sign that says "No food or drink" but contains no statute so some of us will likely know there is no such law and will take action accordingly in the event an officer confronted us for eating a sandwich.

 

[GadgetGuy]

I don't think you do. Personally I believe the point of posting the statute on the sign is to point out there is some sort of law backing up the directive. If I were in the OP position, I probably would have responded the same and live to fight another day. Maybe the statue says it, maybe it doesn't. but if you are not familiar then you probably don't want to take the change especially if you are somewhere like a state park where it's very possible there is such a law unlike on a random street corner.

As opposed to a sign that says "No food or drink" but contains no statute so some of us will likely know there is no such law and will take action accordingly in the event an officer confronted us for eating a sandwich.

Well, the sign and its citations are only relevant if the poster was, in fact, parked at the Makapu'u Lighthouse Lookout, which has not yet been confirmed.

In any event, better to live and fly another day than to make that scenic outlook the hill that you die on! LOL! Got to pick your battles well!

The key point is that the poster was preparing to fly, rather than already flying, so the officer was able to effectively threaten with a parking ticket if he persisted, for parking for a purpose other than enjoying the view, although it could certainly be argued that the drone was his camera capturing the view, except no drones allowed, even if not posted.