Inexperienced Pilot - Need Guidance

[mattbixby]

Good day, everyone!

Need some help - This July I'm making a bucket list trip across the USA. I'm driving US Hwy 20 from Boston, MA to Newport, OR. I'll be bringing my Mavic with me and hope to stop along the way to get some video of the trip.

I really want to get a little footage in downtown Boston at the start of the highway (near Kenmore Square), but I'm super paranoid about flying somewhere I shouldn't. Based on the recon I've done so far, it looks like any flight in that area will have severe restrictions and will require LAANC. I've never used LAANC, as I've always shot as far away from people as possible. Ideally, I'll shoot this around 6am on a Sunday morning, so there will be minimal traffic.

The guidance I'm requesting is this: What am I missing? What other considerations should I mull over/plan for if I'm shooting in a metro area? Am I setting myself up for trouble for shooting along a US Hwy (even if I'm super intentional about not flying over it)?

FYI the video I'm shooting isn't commercial at all, it's strictly personal and family memorabilia.

I really want to be able to do this but I would be mortified if I did something that (further) damaged the reputation of drone hobbyists. I've had this beast for about 4 1/2 years and only have about 50 hours of flight time. I've been too scared to fly, honestly. I always tell people that I have 3 rules for a successful flight: 1) Don't crash 2) Don't get in legal trouble and 3) Don't p!ss anyone off. That's kept me grounded.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Matt

 

[GadgetGuy]

I would highly recommend that you leave your drone at home, given your fears, inexperience, concerns, and the anti-drone sentiment in the U.S., which has only gotten worse with the highly publicized use of weaponized consumer drones in the war in Ukraine by both sides. GEO can also no longer prevent you from doing something stupid. Stay grounded and unmortified. Consider selling the drone to avoid further temptation.

 

[mavic3usa]

My only advice is this: LAANC is not a thing; it's just a simple app. Download the Air Control app, set it up, and start using it today. It takes under a minute to submit a request and it's an automatic approval so you're not talking to someone directly; the app tells you how to successfully submit the request thru the steps. You can use it tomorrow, you don't have to fly....you can just submit requests (or pretend like it) so you can easily know where to fly all along your trip. Your only concern will be how high you can fly. LAANC will quickly become your best friend because....

Another small benefit of LAANC is its literally actual FAA authorization which, short of a TFR, will be your ticket to legally fly (not land and takeoff) in controlled airspace. You will find comfort when armed with that text message when it's the public or the police. LAANC has not always been available to recreational flyers and when it first came out, not all airports participated. You would be remiss for not using it. I live in LAANC grids all around me and for years, I was prohibited from flying drones in my AO which sucked. Full airport participation LAANC is about the only good thing the FAA has done for recreational pilots recently.

 

[Felix le Chat]

If this is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, it would be a crying shame to miss the opportunity.

I would imagine that the road trip you have planned will have certain key points where you will have envisioned taking aerial shots. Before you head off: use a day or so to remote scout (Google Earth & the LAANC app to check for legal flight restrictions) so you will have a good idea of what to expect around key locations.

Get some pre-trip practise flights under your belt to build your confidence using to using the LAANC app... the more you use the thing, the less stressful it becomes.

You don't say which Mavic you own, but I'll hazard a guess based on age that it's either the gen #1 Mavic Pro, or one of the Mavic 2's, so it's the size of the tin hawk that's giving you pause. Perhaps getting one of the less restricted Mini's might allay some of your concerns... it would certainly reduce the burden of legal restrictions, especially in more urban areas.

 

[GadgetGuy]

One other missing point is the legal requirement to now transmit RID. The age of your drone suggests that it is noncompliant, possibly without any FW update to make it compliant. If no FW update enabling RID is available, you'll also need to purchase an aftermarket RID device to comply. Your FAA pilot registration has also likely expired and may need to be renewed. If you haven't already, because you may not have flown in years, you will also first need to pass a test and obtain a Trust certificate. If you are transmitting RID through a FW update, be aware that anyone with an RID detector will know your exact location throughout your flight, and you can expect confrontations during your flight from anyone unhappy with the mere presence of your flying drone, legal or not. If any of the above seems intimidating, or causes you additional concerns, refer to Post #2 above.

 

[Starz]

bringing my Mavic

Several varieties.
Which one?

 

[tstr14]

Several varieties.
Which one?

I'll take a wild guess and say a Mavic Air 2 Greetings from Corvallis, OR

 

[Cafguy]

Bring the Drone and get your paperwork in order. You will have a great time here! NOW, as far as getting your shot.... You May have a few hoops to jump there, But if you don't get that shot you will have MANY opportunities
for others.

 

[1gratedulflyingdawg]

I offer this as help for your upcoming adventure.
Free course multiple short videos.

Recreational Flying Made Easy - Pilot Institute

pilotinstitute.com

 

[mattbixby]

One other missing point is the legal requirement to now transmit RID. The age of your drone suggests that it is noncompliant, possibly without any FW update to make it compliant. If no FW update enabling RID is available, you'll also need to purchase an aftermarket RID device to comply. Your FAA pilot registration has also likely expired and may need to be renewed. If you haven't already, because you may not have flown in years, you will also first need to pass a test and obtain a Trust certificate. If you are transmitting RID through a FW update, be aware that anyone with an RID detector will know your exact location throughout your flight, and you can expect confrontations during your flight from anyone unhappy with the mere presence of your flying drone, legal or not. If any of the above seems intimidating, or causes you additional concerns, refer to Post #2 above.

Thank you so much - I had been wondering why my recent flights had a warning indicator about RID. I have purchased an after market RID module so I will be compliant.

 

[mattbixby]

I'll take a wild guess and say a Mavic Air 2 Greetings from Corvallis, OR

Correct!

 

[mattbixby]

Thank you all for your feedback. You've given me some solid footing to start from.

When I got the drone I thought it would be a great hobby to help navigate the pandemic. But I was really surprised by how much... ahem... jackassery exists out there. I can't believe the dumb, short-sighted stuff people do with their aircraft... and I'm frustrated (but understand why) it's led to such anti-drone sentiment, as was mentioned above. My town has lots of cool stuff to shoot, but also some pretty stringent anti-drone ordinances. So my initial inspiration was tempered greatly.

Further, while I'm not the world's worst photographer/videographer... I am definitely on the bottom end of the spectrum. I've never really grasped the tech aspects of good shooting, and my creative skills manifest in other ways than behind a camera. I know good work when I see it. And I haven't seen it from me.

All that said, this is an important trip for me. I had hoped to take this drive with my brother, but I lost him two years ago. I'm flying to Boston for my nephew's wedding and will drive back on this wonderful road. I'm going to share the footage of the trip with his kids. Instead of reconnecting with my brother, I'm going to get to know my nieces and nephews. And I expect I'll have one or two accompany me back to (or at least towards) the west coast. I'm thrilled to have a spotter for my flights

Sorry if TLDR - I appreciate you!

Matt

 

[Cymruflyer]

Good luck and enjoy the journey, on the ground and in the air.