Flying over Colman Glacier, Mt Baker, WA

[gavinski]

Gorgeous day here in Washington state. This was taken over the Colman Glacier, from Heliotrope Ridge on Mt Baker.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVFVN7c-yVY[/youtube]

The video is a little shaky and there's props in one shot - both the result of a decent breeze. I should have just switched over to ATTI mode. Next time.

 

[4wd]

Fascinating way to look at it, was it just me it seems to be skipping frames - processing issue?

 

[gavinski]

Fascinating way to look at it, was it just me it seems to be skipping frames - processing issue?

I think you are right about skipping frames. I shot a mix of 30fps and 24 fps and brought it all into iMovie for a quick edit as I was in a hurry. Somewhere along the way - either in project setup or exporting - I messed it up. I think the original footage was smooth so I might try again.

 

[finlayson]

Be careful. If this really is a "wilderness" area (as noted in the video), then R/C aircraft are probably not legal there. Generally speaking, wilderness areas prohibit 'mechanization'; even mountain bikes are illegal :-(

 

[GMANNZ]

yep ..... cool views and is only legal cause you didn't get caught.

 

[gavinski]

Be careful. If this really is a "wilderness" area (as noted in the video), then R/C aircraft are probably not legal there. Generally speaking, wilderness areas prohibit 'mechanization'; even mountain bikes are illegal :-(

Thank you for pointing this out - I believe you are correct. I did not intentionally fly in an area that is off limits - I figured that since I was outside of a National Park that it was OK. I did do some research before deciding to take the Phantom on this hike - I even came across this recent post from someone who had hiked to the very same spot -

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report.2014-07-21.8516643537

I even checked the recent no-fly map:

https://www.mapbox.com/drone/no-fly/#9/48.7580/-121.8823

But that doesn't make it OK. I should have also checked the regulations for this particular area.

Even though there was no one around during my flight, it still felt kind of wrong; these are natural spaces that should be kept free of man-made disruptions. So from now on, when I go hiking, the Phantom stays home.

 

[finlayson]

So from now on, when I go hiking, the Phantom stays home.

IMHO, that would be an overreaction. I see no problem flying the Phantom in an area where it's legal, provided that it doesn't disturb wildlife, or annoy (or invade the privacy of) people nearby. But just be aware that they're currently illegal in all lands administered by the US National Park Service (i.e., all US National Parks, US National Monuments (except the handful that are administered by the BLM), US National Seashores and National Recreation Areas), plus, presumably, anything with the word "Wilderness" in the name.

Ross.