Tentative night training on Nov 9 in Huntsville, AL

[RCdancer]

FYI that DSAR is tentatively scheduling night training using our blanket 107.29 waiver on Nov 9th in Huntsville, AL. We're already got a location locked in. This is some seriously challenging flying - i.e., Off the roof of a lodge building towards a river a mile away to the south in the dark (picture from the roof attached), and also up the slope of a pretty steep mountain to the west (picture from the roof attached) in the dark. We won't be doing real "search" this time but have the primary goal of acclimatizing you to night flight; i.e. walk before we run. Instead have as the stated goal for each mission: (1) take a picture above the river, and (2) take a picture above the cul-de-sac at the top end of the mountain.

We are outside the city limits and it is dark. Nov 9 is 4 nights before a full moon which should help. There will be some lights on top of the mountain from houses and streetlights. There are scattered lights en-route to the river. But in general, it is dark. The mountain slope is dark - nothing but heavy woods.

The location is the "x" in the attached 3d map.

Some of the firm requirements to attend this training:

• 107 certificate
• insurance
• no "new" drones; i.e., must have a minimum of 40 hours flight time with the drone in the daylight (per waiver requirements)
• anti-collision lighting that meets FAA requirements
• if not already approved on the registry, must provide drone model with registration number and evidence of night course training

Undecided yet if a thermal camera is a must. Training will start at 3PM in a lodge classroom and then move to the high, flat roof of the lodge from 4 PM until about midnight. We will be doing the training at The Vision (https://www.visionministry.org/) on top of their lodge surrounded by 350 acres. The Vision has a beautiful lodge (picture attached) where you can reserve a room if you want. We will probably have the Lodge serve us dinner.

Training will be limited to a maximum of 20. I'm having dinner with the Lodge owner (a good friend) this weekend to firm up some details. We expect to open registration sometime in July.

This will be truly spectacular flying - and quite challenging. But as Debbie pointed out, real SAR flights will almost never be easy. Good news is that Huntsville has little rain in Nov with very clear skies.

 

[RCdancer]

FYI as incentive. We will be flying in a valley with the mountain between us and Huntsville. As you crest the mountain, this is the sight that will unfold (class G airspace.). Except you will be in total darkness, not sunset. It will be breathtaking.