Small drone rental options?

[7KJT7Y2I]

I'm a videojournalist and Part 107 drone pilot. I use a DJI Mavic Mini 4 Pro.

I'll be covering a story for a news network about a strategic military base. I need to get drone shots. Of course, DJI drones are banned. I'm including a link to approved drones/manufacturers: Blue UAS Cleared Drone List

I just need to use a small drone, equivalent to my Mavic Mini. Is it possible to rent a drone like this? I guess I can also reach out to drone owners in my area to see if they're willing to let me rent or borrow a small drone that can meet DOD specs. But it would be nice to see if I have other options.

 

[Cafguy]

Why are DJI Drones Banned? Is this Network owned by the Government?
If this is indeed a Strategic Military Base, Good luck getting the base commander to OK this.
Are there any sources of existing aerials of the Base that you could get, Seems like a bunch to go thru to get a few min of Drone footage of a typical Military base.
Renting?....... I have heard of such a thing BUT I have also been told the prices of rental! A couple of rentals will buy you a Drone!

I guess I can also reach out to drone owners in my area to see if they're willing to let me rent or borrow a small drone that can meet DOD specs.

That may be your Best solution IF you get to do it,

 

[ryguy80]

I guess I can also reach out to drone owners in my area to see if they're willing to let me rent or borrow a small drone that can meet DOD specs. But it would be nice to see if I have other options.

That may be your Best solution IF you get to do it,

I second what @Cafguy said. Otherwise, I think you're SOL.

 

[CadrePilot]

I'm including a link to approved drones/manufacturers: Blue UAS Cleared Drone List

Who's telling you that you must use a drone from the list?
Is it the base authority withholding permission to fly unless you use a drone from the list?

 

[Felix le Chat]

I'm a videojournalist and Part 107 drone pilot. I use a DJI Mavic Mini 4 Pro.

I'll be covering a story for a news network about a strategic military base. I need to get drone shots. Of course, DJI drones are banned. I'm including a link to approved drones/manufacturers: Blue UAS Cleared Drone List

I just need to use a small drone, equivalent to my Mavic Mini. Is it possible to rent a drone like this? I guess I can also reach out to drone owners in my area to see if they're willing to let me rent or borrow a small drone that can meet DOD specs. But it would be nice to see if I have other options.

Set your drone into full LDM (Local Data Mode) and provide screenshot proof of this (relevant app menu). LDM turns the drone, controller and screen device (if you're not using one of the smart screen controllers) into a closed loop - no information gets transmitted anywhere else.

This has been certified by two independent data security auditors (one American - one Brit).

If you're using a mobile device as a flight screen: airplane mode adds a hefty belt to the LDM braces.

 

[Parkerjh]

Set your drone into full LDM (Local Data Mode

DJI consumer drones do not have LDM nor would trying to explain this to whomever is in charge possibly appease them.

I think the best course of action if you can't find a suitable rentai, is to post on job sites like Droners and see if you can find someone with a suitable drone - then you can still be the PIC and they can operate the drone, Probably a cool assignment, and might find someone willing to do it for relatively cheap.

Good luck

 

[Droning on and on...]

DJI consumer drones do not have LDM nor would trying to explain this to whomever is in charge possibly appease them.

Yes they do, and this is how I fly every single time.

 

[Droning on and on...]

The OP seems to have committed a drive-by and disappeared.

 

[New England Droning]

DJI consumer drones do not have LDM nor would trying to explain this to whomever is in charge possibly appease them.

I think the best course of action if you can't find a suitable rentai, is to post on job sites like Droners and see if you can find someone with a suitable drone - then you can still be the PIC and they can operate the drone, Probably a cool assignment, and might find someone willing to do it for relatively cheap.

Good luck

I was just on my Mavic 3 Pro and in the settings and saw that I have local data mode... I got a warning that it would not transmit info and the like... I assume this is the LDM you are talking about? If I'm wrong, sorry... (I know the M3Pro is a beginner drone but I assume you meant everything under the Matrice and enterprise would not have it...

 

[Droning on and on...]

LDM is nothing special.

It simply means the system works as normal with no internet connection by the RC.

Put your phone in Airplane mode, or turn off wifi on the integrated DJI RC (various models, Smart, Pro, etc.) and you're in LDM. You're drone will fly just fine.

That's it. Nothing esoteric or complicated. No top-secret CIA stuff. No hidden settings.

And it applies to all DJI drones that use DJI Fly. Probably GO4 too, but I haven't run that in years.