Best Seat in the House... by RodS
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Description
4th of July fireworks - from 400 feet up! These are frame captures from the video captured with my DJI Phantom 2 Vision quadcopter.
We went to the annual fireworks show hosted by the city of Independence, and the RLDS church for Independence day (where better to spend Independence day than in Independence!).
Anyway, we took the Phantom along, and after the show started, I ran across the street and launched the Phantom away from the crowd (launch site: 39 05 63N 94 25 38W). This was a record-breaking flight. Not only did I go higher than ever before, it was the longest continuous flight - nearly 20 minutes. I still had 40% on my battery, so I'm sure it would have gone the advertised 25 minutes with ease. I pushed her to 400 feet, which is the maximum height under FAA regulations for radio-controlled hobbyist aircraft.
The video is spectacular - and I'm working on putting together a video to post to YouTube shortly.
While I was flying, an Independence Police Officer came over, and asked if my drone was a Phantom - turned out his brother has an older model of the Phantom. He was fascinated with the live video on the Ipad - he thought it was the coolest thing he'd seen in a while. He's standing beside me in the last frame. After the fireworks ended, I gave him a quick 360 view with the Community of Christ Center (the brilliantly lighted building), and the Temple.
As the Phantom touched down, quite a crowd had gathered, and I spent the next 10 minutes answering questions, and talking with folks about "drones." I had several folks tell me they were as fascinated watching the Phantom as they were with the fireworks (the quad has high-intensity red and green LED's on the bottom so you can tell the front from the rear - and it's really easy to see at night). With all the negative press they frequently get, I'm always happy to show folks that 'drones' can be our friends as well.
Anyway, it was a fun night, and I'll post the video soon. Now I need to catch up on commenting! Seems the comments have really fallen off lately - I know a lot of folks are not getting the ebots after Rendo's last round of "improvements." I really wish they would just leave well enough alone for a while..
More T.N.A. coming soon, as well as a big Happy Birthday for the July celebrants!
Thanks so much for all your visits, comments and support!
Comments (31)
barryjeffer
This must have been a blast, no pun intended. awesome!
Faemike55
Fabulous captures Rod I cannot wait to see the video - it's going to be a blast - I just know it
Diemamker
Talk about fun... to get shots like these... I can't wait to see this video!!... who knows maybe the girls will show up and lunch their drone or the U.F.O. !!... hmmm.
ladylake
What a fantastic idea.
giulband
Cool series !!
GrandmaT
Now that is a view you don't get very often for fireworks. I love the one with you and the policeman and your impromptu public relations session for the drones. Maybe they should put you on salary.
synthetik3
Very cool that you were able to do something like that, would have loved to seen that in person, I would have forgotten about the fireworks watching the copter lol Cant wait for the video.
magnus073
Rob, this was an outstanding idea you had for taking video and photos of the fireworks with the Phantom. Sounds like you really had a lot of firsts that night, and I'm certain night flying is rather difficult also.
eekdog
cool, cool, cool! i was hoping that you would do this Rod.. excellent overview of the works. love each shot my friend.. BRAVO!! hope the quadcopter did not get any flash burns on it. i think all of us are getting the lack of comments cause of more improvements.. bet the crowd had fun watching you also.. best zoomed.
MagikUnicorn
wow unique :) you are the best at DRONE :)
brewgirlca
It must fee a bit strange to be flying the copter and not feeling any resistance - or I assume that you do not feel resistance. Doing the fireworks is a great concept that you should post to the Phantom website, though I admit I think the bottom shot of you and the friendly cop is the best of the works.
ZigZag321
Spectacular, fascinating, and amazing -- wow!!! This is incredible! I never would have thought to do this! I can't wait to see that video too! Fantastic!!!
knupps
Wow...... You are a brave man. Stunning view and great photos.
Richardphotos
awesome aerials and fireworks. my neck was hurting bad last night after looking up for almost an hour
blinkings
I have never used one of these things, but they sure look like a heap of fun. They have a couple of them at the science museum. I will post the pics.
Xfitz
For better and for worse drones now are and shall be among us. All tools are amoral. It's the person's morals using them that matters. Cool shots. Happy Independence Day.
RodS
You nailed it, my friend! Absolutely true!
auntietk
Oh man. This is the best use of the Phantom! What a brilliant idea! Glad you did it, and that it worked, and that you drew a crowd. :D
Froggy
They didn't turn out so bad Hotrod! ....and yes ...Rendo's latest round of updates have not turned out so great ... but what's the point in pointing it out to 'em, they won't listen!
Nonsolum
Drones can be our friends as well if the guy who is launching it is friendly... ;-)
Cyve
WOW... Marvelous serie and fabulous capture... Fantastically well captured !
boobunny
All right! Too cool. Thanks for these. Amazing.
mrestey
WOW COOL shots Rod. Seems strange looking down on the fireworks rather than up, LOL. Still getting no emails from Rendo. But, I just realized (I am a bit slow on the uptake sometimes) I can click on the speech bubble in the upper right corner here at Rendo and get a list of my faves that have uploaded recently. DAAAAAAAAAAAH! LOL!
bmac62
Smooth move Rod. Great idea! Looking forward to the full YouTube version. I'm skittering off to Texas to check on our house for three days. Will catch up with you upon my return.
adorety
Awesome Rod! Great set of stills and great share. I have to say I really like the smile on the cop's face too!
vitachick
What a great idea!!!!
drifterlee
Wonderful shots with your Phantom, Rod!!! It's a good thing no fireworks hit it!!!!
Razor42
Very cool captures! Looking forward to the Vid!
misty7j3
"Wow"!! These photos are really awesome....I LUV 'fireworks'....I guess you could call me a 'pyrotechnicmaniac'...."lol"! I set off a bunch of fireworks in my driveway on the 4th of July.....I do it every year....I luv it!!! Super cool job Rod.....you're lucky to have that 'phantom chopper'!!!!!!!!!!! I want one!! 'lol'
debbielove
Brilliant idea! Really Rod, it works, maybe you could start a company doing this lol Great series of shots mate! Well done, excellently piloted! Rob
Egzariuf
Vision Copter... Fantastic