OT: Ann Arbor Quad Rotor Summer Edition Photos/Videos!

Submitted by BlueBarron on

Some of you guys might remember my Michigan Stadium quad rotor video from a few months back. I've since fallen off the radar with aerial photography because back in April, the satellite lock on my old quad rotor failed and the wind carried it into the Arb, where I never found it.

But now I'm back! This time with a DJI Phantom 2 Vision+!

I've just completed an announcement video for my new quad rotor which heavily features flying around Ann Arbor:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69qoXE6URb0

And of course, you can't have video without some photos to go with it (right click->view image for bigger view):


The Phantom 2 Vision+ features a 3-axis gimbel for the camera to make the video look incredibly stable. I can also live-stream the video feed to my phone mid-flight so I always know what I'm looking at.

I'm open to suggestions for future projects! I'm not going to fly over Michigan Stadium during a game, but some aerial tailgating scenes would probably be fun to film.

@BlueBarron127

I was also a part of the Daily Show's filming segment at the Michigan Daily, but I was not the drone pilot. Here's a picture I nabbed of Jordan Klepper feeding a baby lion on set, though:

Badkitty

August 7th, 2014 at 1:34 PM ^

I was thinking about getting one but should I get one with just the gimbal and mount a Hero 3 + with an aftermarket KumbaCam or get the Vision camera included? Rumor is, GoPro Hero 4 is coming out and will shoot 4K @ 60 fps.

BlueBarron

August 7th, 2014 at 1:39 PM ^

The one I'm flying now has an integrated camera. The reason I went with that is that the WiFi that streams the footage to my phone is 2.4 gHz whereas the transmitter is 5.8 gHz. The reason I lost the old one is probably becuase the 2.4 gHz WiFi on the GoPro was accidentally on and messed with the 2.4 gHz signal (also GoPros are quite noisy and the EMI can mess with satellite signals). Be careful that your camera/aircarft can operate safely at the same time or else it'll screw with your signals.

KBLOW

August 7th, 2014 at 2:09 PM ^

Great shots! Makes me miss AA in the summer.   I really liked the one where it's rises off the river and you can see the wind ripples.

UnkleBuck

August 7th, 2014 at 5:09 PM ^

Patrick, your video is awesome.  I've not seen the campus from that perspective before.  I must say the clarity of the video footage is much better than I thought it would be.  Your camera is for real.  Nice job putting it together.

Two Hearted Ale

August 7th, 2014 at 5:10 PM ^

Are you familiar with FAA regulations? I'm guessing you haven't received FAA certification and if you are flying over campus you are in the Ann Arbor airport's class D airspace. I suggest a slightly lower profile if you enjoy doing what you are doing.

I Bleed Maize N Blue

August 8th, 2014 at 3:15 AM ^

I was curious, and a little google fu turned this up:

Press Release - FAA Offers Guidance to Model Aircraft Operators (6/23/14)

 

The agency also explains that model aircraft operators flying within five miles of an airport must notify the airport operator and air traffic control tower.

The page linked above includes a link to "dos and don'ts."