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- Mar 7, 2021
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Today, I made my 1st LAANC approved flight under recreational pilot! I used the Kittyhawk app on my phone to layout and submit the flight details to the FAA and it was approved within a matter of minutes! I could not have been more excited and surprised at how easy and quick the process was. With many years of flying airplanes and helo's in the US Airspace system, I'm certain future LAANC flights won't all be that easy.
I did not capture the Kittyhawk flight on my Ipad because I had forgotten that I had it installed. I'll try using it in my back yard in the near future to make sure it works through the Ipad. Here is an annotated picture of the LAANC approved flight area.
This is what I was trying to capture....
For years, I've been driving this route and noticed some birds-of-prey making nests on top of the powerline supports. Today, I decided to use my new EVO 2 to get some detailed photo's and video of their activities. Don't dispare...The supports are about 60 ft tall and this photo and my flight went no lower than 250 ft. LAANC was approved for 300 ft. Sorry, couldn't get any photo's of the birds!
From my launch position I did have to fly over a two-lane road to get out and over the power lines but, was able to judge the overflight when no cars were present. The little white vehicle on the left side of the road in the below picture was my Honda Ridgeline pickup/launch point. I was directly over the support in the 1st picture....
My plan was to take off from inside the back of my truck but, I kept getting compass anomalies on the RC so, I decided to put the E2 on the ground about 10 ft in front of the truck....Not ideal, but usable under the circumstances!
I did have my UAS Certificate of Registration and the LAANC approval text and Kittyhawk running showing the actual graphic image in real-time of the approved flight just in case someone stopped to inquire about what I was doing! "Why" you ask?....I've been watching a lot of drone encounters with police & the public so, I wanted to cover as many bases as I could! After I get my part 107, I'll make sure to wear my high-visibility vest with FAA Certified Drone Pilot message on it to help with any problems I may encounter!
Lessons Learned:
1) Utilized Kittyhawk app when LAANC flights are done.
2) Make a landing pad from 3/4" plywood for future flights on unimproved LZ's.
It was a fun flight!
I did not capture the Kittyhawk flight on my Ipad because I had forgotten that I had it installed. I'll try using it in my back yard in the near future to make sure it works through the Ipad. Here is an annotated picture of the LAANC approved flight area.
This is what I was trying to capture....
For years, I've been driving this route and noticed some birds-of-prey making nests on top of the powerline supports. Today, I decided to use my new EVO 2 to get some detailed photo's and video of their activities. Don't dispare...The supports are about 60 ft tall and this photo and my flight went no lower than 250 ft. LAANC was approved for 300 ft. Sorry, couldn't get any photo's of the birds!
From my launch position I did have to fly over a two-lane road to get out and over the power lines but, was able to judge the overflight when no cars were present. The little white vehicle on the left side of the road in the below picture was my Honda Ridgeline pickup/launch point. I was directly over the support in the 1st picture....
My plan was to take off from inside the back of my truck but, I kept getting compass anomalies on the RC so, I decided to put the E2 on the ground about 10 ft in front of the truck....Not ideal, but usable under the circumstances!
I did have my UAS Certificate of Registration and the LAANC approval text and Kittyhawk running showing the actual graphic image in real-time of the approved flight just in case someone stopped to inquire about what I was doing! "Why" you ask?....I've been watching a lot of drone encounters with police & the public so, I wanted to cover as many bases as I could! After I get my part 107, I'll make sure to wear my high-visibility vest with FAA Certified Drone Pilot message on it to help with any problems I may encounter!
Lessons Learned:
1) Utilized Kittyhawk app when LAANC flights are done.
2) Make a landing pad from 3/4" plywood for future flights on unimproved LZ's.
It was a fun flight!
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