There are good new things coming on the drone scene here in Perth. Here's a roundup of some of the highlights:
- The DJI advice to owners of their products regarding registration and updating of the control programs has already been given in the regular Camera Electronic weblog column and in the Facebook page. But drone flyers who may have missed it would be wise to go to see the DJI website and look over the notice. They'll find that they need to re-register in some cases to restore the full functionality of their DJI drone.
- DJI will be coming out with new models of the Mavic soon. We'll keep you posted as this occurs. Always a good idea to subscribe to the CE newsletter, emails, and Facebook page...also read the morning weblog column. It goes great with orange juice, scrambled eggs, and coffee.
- The DJI Spark is available for preorder right now - see the CE website or the notices in the CE Facebook page. The Spark is a smaller mini-drone but still carries the video power to really spark up your presentations. It is fitted with inbuilt routines that will provide special effects without complex programming or RAAF ROULETTES pilot skill. Mind you, if you really are as good as the RAAF flyers more power to you. The Spark will be at a lower price than the more complex DJI offerings.
- With the advent of more and bigger drones, the need for greater skill and understanding has become evident. While there may be future clarification in confusion over regulations and operating limitations, the need for skill and understanding is always going to be there. People will be better photographers if they are better flyers, and will also be better flyers if they are better photographers.
To this end, Camera Electronic will be establishing training courses dealing with drone flying and remote photography via SHOOT Workshops. As befits a complex subject there will be various levels of training - currently, plans are being examined to have two sorts - Adult training and Kids training. In the case of the former it may well be up to CASA level of certification, in the latter at a lower level. The idea of kids from 8-16 attending is being mooted.
Responsible use of any remote-control device is the premier consideration for the operators and those around them. Here in Australia even remote-control boats have taken their toll, with an incident of spectator injury and ruinous legal consequences a few decades ago. Drone flyers have more assistance from modern digital mechanisms and the in-built safety features of the products, but they also have a lot more need to be wary of themselves and others. There are a number of areas of civil, military, legal, and moral concern that need to be borne in mind when droning. CASA is just one regulatory body - there are others even more powerful and sensitive. If you are planning to fly, you might do very well to consider those SHOOT courses...
Click
here to see more specs on the DJI Mavic drone or click
here for the DJI Mavic Combo pack.
Click
here to see more specs on the DJI Spark or click
here for the DJI Spark Combo pack.
