Any comments from those using multicopters for an aerial photography business

rossfox

Member
Hey everyone, I hope this isn't an inappropiate question, but here goes. Those of you who use your machine as a business, how is it going? That said, I know that flying the machine is fun, FPV is fun, and video or stills are fun, from a hobby only aspect, but I see so many uses for this technology, as it can provide great overhead views of whatever, which cannot be had in any other way. I am an electrical contractor and so naturally the first thoughts I had were - I can use this to do inspections of say - substations, or transmission towers, power lines, transformer banks, etc. Then I think of marketing to roofing contractors to have a visual inspection of prospective customers roofs without having to send someone to climb on the roof - and the list goes on and on for inspection uses. Then of course videos that promotes a company or attraction. I can think of a number of attractions within driving distance that might be interested in a well put together video, with some stills and music. I have been flying rc helis since the mid 80's and a number of years ago thought about doing some aerial video, but at that time the obstacles were many. Today's technology and multirotors are a whole new ballgame, and aerial video is great now. Of course for those who have no rc experience in either flying or building, then certainly I can see apprehension for those people in the fact that it seems very complicated - and to be honest - it is. In my years of rc flying and especially rc helis, the ones that succeeded the most were those that were more technically minded. Please correct me if I have the wrong take on any of this. Just looking for some good feedback. Ross
 

Benjamin Kenobi

Easy? You call that easy?
Hi there,

I've also been flying helis for a few years (3D) and thought the potential of multis was quite large. Have in invested in an S800 with Zenmuse with a view to becoming an aerial photographer. Plan on taking the course (BNUC-S) also. As far as I know inspections from a distance is okay but you're not allowed to fly near structures where a crash could lead to bigger problems (think gas works or electrical substations).

Hope this helps.

Ben.
 


rossfox

Member
OK on all Ben. Yes it would be bad to have a quad fall into a substation or gas plant - what a mess. What is the course (BNUC-S) that you mention? I was looking at the DJI S800 as a possibility. I want to get a fairly high end machine and camera to start off with, as I figure it is worth it.

kloner, I am in Georgia.
 

hjls3

Member
Ross - the BNUC-S - is a certification program across the pond from us in the USA. I imagine that the FAA/US will soon have a similar program. And by soon - I mean gov't time - so it could really be a while :)

OK on all Ben. Yes it would be bad to have a quad fall into a substation or gas plant - what a mess. What is the course (BNUC-S) that you mention? I was looking at the DJI S800 as a possibility. I want to get a fairly high end machine and camera to start off with, as I figure it is worth it.

kloner, I am in Georgia.
 

kloner

Aerial DP
That's a decent rig and there is alot of guys here using them for money. they make half way there look perfect............... just locks you into a certain camera and for alot of work we come across, that aint good enough. Everybody wants dslr flown, but it depends on the market. It's not the end of the road, just makes you pass on alot of work. if it were mine, i'd get the gh3 version

Aim for the stars
 
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Benjamin Kenobi

Easy? You call that easy?
Yes, sorry, UK I am. Looking at the US their guidelines seem to be going exactly the same way. My only advice is keep the All-Up-Weight below 7kg as there is an exemption for certain aspects (flight worthiness certificate). Probably will be the same in the US.

Cheers!
 

951UAV

Member
Ross, i am heading down that road as we speak, I spent the last 12 years doing visual inspections at all types of industrial facilities. I have a few inspections in mind that could really be enhanced using UAV, the real problem at the moment is insurance, safety, and the FAA. Some of the inspections are indoors and no FAA issue so then it's back to insurance and safety program. If you go to a facility that has VPP cert it is almost not worth your time and effort at present. But I think going forward once guidelines are set you will see quite a few inspections being done using these. I'm not sure you would ever do the substations from a UAV though, that could easily be done from a truck mounted mast and mitigate all of the chance of flying into high voltage or worse. UAV for high Voltage lines, definitely would be on the list, but folks like General Atomics will surly have a lock on that.

Best of luck to you
 


kloner

Aerial DP
you are able to buy alot of liability insurance through aerial pak...... safety is easily achieved in numbers and skill in building insures alot less risk than any insurance money can buy.
 

SMP

Member
Not to be cliche but... Those successful owners that are are using multi-copters for their business will probably attest that the multi is just a tool and that their business is successful due to how they run the business. We are commercial photographers who have, as Kloner so aptly put it, dove into the deep end. Despite doing everything we could to shorten the lead time to market by going RTF, this is by FAR the "tool" (tools actually since you need more than one) with the steepest entry cost and a FAR FAR steeper learning curve. Six months in and we are only now approaching a product that qualifies as marketable. This is not nearly as easy as it appears. The recipe then would be solid business practices, bulletproof liability insurance, technical expertise in photography, remote piloting skills to rival 15 year old Xbox'rs and oh yes, engineering geekery on a scale reserved only for super solderers and software programmers ergo RC. The rewards are there but the risks are high and gravity ALWAYS wins. Welcome to the party ;) ;)
 

ChrisViperM

Active Member
Not to be cliche but... Those successful owners that are are using multi-copters for their business will probably attest that the multi is just a tool and that their business is successful due to how they run the business. We are commercial photographers who have, as Kloner so aptly put it, dove into the deep end. Despite doing everything we could to shorten the lead time to market by going RTF, this is by FAR the "tool" (tools actually since you need more than one) with the steepest entry cost and a FAR FAR steeper learning curve. Six months in and we are only now approaching a product that qualifies as marketable. This is not nearly as easy as it appears. The recipe then would be solid business practices, bulletproof liability insurance, technical expertise in photography, remote piloting skills to rival 15 year old Xbox'rs and oh yes, engineering geekery on a scale reserved only for super solderers and software programmers ergo RC. The rewards are there but the risks are high and gravity ALWAYS wins. Welcome to the party ;) ;)


+1 very good statement.....should be standard reading for everybody who wants to go into business with MR

Chris
 

rossfox

Member
Thanks for the insight. I certainly agree with you guys. Yes, I will be careful in how I proceed. I've owned 4 businesses, and so I am don't consider myself to be a complete novice, but I know that owning previous businesses certainly doesn't make me an expert on a business such as this. And as mentioned, a business involving aerial photography, using multirotors, has many unknowns at this time. I will proceed carefully. Thanks for all the input -very helpful! The kind of info you guys are furnishing is part of my learning curve. rf
 

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