Hi Daniel - my name is Randall Hobbs. I got your email address from Merle Dickenson (I approached him first about this, as I didn't know who to contact). I am a Florida native (from Pensacola actually), and I would like to be able to take some photos of Fort Pickens and the surrounding bunkers, etc., with the use of a drone (I have a DJI
Phantom 4 Pro, which costs an arm and a leg, which I proudly gave up to get one of these things, LOL). Either way, I'd like to spend about half an hour to an hour there (if possible), snapping some pictures. This drone has a 20 megapixel camera, as well as the ability to shoot 4K video (actually it can do both at the same time). I would like to of course do a fairly low flyover around the fort and take some photos to be shared out (because Fort Pickens is something I've seen many times growing up, and I'd like to have some pictures available for people to look at or even take) - this is not a commercial thing, in that the photographs would be free to whomever wants them. I'd gladly share every pixel with you guys as well (because, let's face it, the drone is a powerful camera with 4 props, and can get some amazing shots of the forts and bunkers). I do NOT want to fly inside of Gulf Islands Seashores outside of the forts there (I understand the natural wildlife there that needs to be protected). If allowed to do so, I will make sure I'm 100% compliant in all aspects of the FAA's rules on drones (mine is registered with the FAA as well), and would gladly provide any and all information regarding that - including my flight logs or anything else. I can also arrange to take the photos when there aren't a lot of people (maybe early in the morning on a weekend perhaps), and if there were people, I'd stay away from them (it's just best practice anyway - though this drone is loaded with sensors, which prevent actively prevents me from flying into things anyway).
This drone has given me a new camera angle to work with, as I can get shots that I just cannot on a normal camera, and people able to navigate around and position it where I want it makes it incredible easy to get some of the best shots available. I don't consider myself an expert, but I'm certainly no beginner either. I fly every single day, and have taken some really beautiful photos out here in Panama City, Panama City Beach, and Destin. If you'd like me to send you a couple of the shots I've taken, I'll be glad to do so.
Anyway, I'm hoping we can work together on this and get some great shots of the historic fort (which would - I think - help bolster tourism to the area as well).
Thank you for your consideration...