SIOUX FALLS, S.D. The Prairie Aerial team didn't intend to make a viral video, but their drone footage of a tech changing a light bulb on top of a 1,500-foot TV tower drew more than 1.8 million views on YouTube as well as the attention of the Federal Aviation Administration. (See Dronecam Captures Tech Changing Bulb at 1,500 Feet. )
The team used a DJI Phantom 2 modified for higher performance with Antigravity motors, which are more powerful than the stock motors, and balanced carbon-fiber props, a spokesman said. It is controlled it with a Futaba T8FGS transmitter for extended flexibility and functions. The crew has five batteries and two chargers for the Phantom, so we can fly all day, the spokesman said.
The camera s a GoPro 3+Black also modified with a 5.4mm rectilinear flat lens with IR filter. They fly it with a 3-stop Polar-pro ND filter. The gimbal is a Zenmuse H3-3D. No counter-balance for the weight of the ND filter is employed. The camera records at 2.7k, 30 fps ProTune on. First person view is a 5.8Ghz SD system, with dual diversity 9-inch HD monitor and Goggles on the ground.
Todd Thorin is principal of Prairie Aerial. He fielded a few questions from TV Technology about the operation and the drone shoot.
TV TECHNOLOGY: What made you decide to start Prairie Aerial?
THORIN: Watching aerial footage just always got to me somehow, I just loved it and wanted to be able to shoot my own dramatic footage, it adds such a dimension to any storytelling by film/video. Maybe its because I always wanted to be an astronaut or a pilot, but my body wouldn't allow it I get motion sick pretty easy so this makes it possible for me to fly. Starting the business is to be able to be one of those people who make a living doing what they love . not making a living yet, barely enough to keep the drone in the air, but I love it!
TV TECHNOLOGY: Did you experiment with several drone types and cameras before settling on the Phantom? Does flight control of these things vary widely?
THORIN: This is my first. I studied a great deal to determine what should be my first purchase. At the time I started, the only camera-carrying drones were pretty large the large quad, hex and octocopters carrying a heavy DSLR camera or video camera. I was interested in getting production-quality video, so that was pretty much it, and they weren't cheap. I couldn't afford those machines. Then my videographer friend told me that the GoPros were really getting good, usable footage now. That brought the barrier to entry down into my range, and this coincided with the present explosion of small but very capable drones. I don't have a wide range of experience flying larger copters to know the handling characteristics of the different types. I want to get one of those someday.
TV TECHNOLOGY: Are you a licensed pilot?
THORIN: I am not a licensed pilot. I do work with one to advise me of regulations relating to the NAS [National Airspace System] and real aircraft so I don't run afoul of them, for example knowing the clearance around a broadcast tower where he would not be allowed to fly his aircraft, so that I felt justified in flying there safely.
TV TECHNOLOGY: You guys exceeded the Federal Aviation Administrations rule prohibiting model aircraft flight above 400 feet. Are you concerned about being fined?
THORIN: The FAA has made contact with me. As I mentioned above, I felt justified in flying where I did because I was where I would not interfere with real aircraft the spirit of the FAA's recommendation (not a rule) to keep model aircraft under 400 feet. I just hoped that they would appreciate that I did my homework, so to speak, and not get me in trouble, if they even noticed at all. I didn't really expect to become viral and catch the attention of the FAA but that became inevitable after 1.3 million hits in a week and all the media attention. I am now a member of a very small group of citizens who has actually received written notice to cease operations, meaning commercial operations. They did admit that the video is really cool though!
TV TECHNOLOGY: What applications do you anticipate for your business? Theres a lot of talk about agricultural applications, but what about with regard to towers? (Heres one commenter said on the story TV Technology did on drones around your video: Too bad the drone couldnt have just changed the light bulb and saved him the climb. ) Could this save tower crews a lot of time, risk and money, and in what ways?
THORIN: In the tower arena, there is much talk about climber safety. If a drone flight could reduce the number of climbs needed, or in other words, reduce worker exposure to the fall hazard, that would fulfill the OSHA policy to use engineering controls to mitigate hazards. This video proved that a preliminary inspection of a lighting system is possible that could save a trip up to the top of that TV antenna that's a win. Being able to have a look at a damaged or questionable structure before sending a man up might be another great drone usage. Actually performing work though a drone at height is probably a long ways down the road, but if I dropped that bulb and the drone could bring up another ..
TV TECHNOLOGY:How are you handling your new YouTube stardom?
THORIN: Its a whirlwind at present, mind-boggling. I am handling my YouTube stardom by standing around in utter astonishment. Six months ago I was wondering how to get my name out to the locals, now our name is mentioned and our work is viewed around the globe and people are asking my expert opinion. It's crazy and it will go as quickly as it came, I just hope to be able to get some useful, lasting benefit from the fame, and to help this amazing technology come into its own. Hopefully we are not just a one hit wonder, but that video will be a hard act to follow.
North America Stories
26/04/2024
Sundance Film Festival CDMX 2024 kicks-off today with screenings in 5 theaters in Mexico City and the opening-night film, FRIDA, directed by Carla Guti rrez...
26/04/2024
[Editor's Note: This interview is part of a larger feature about the women d...
26/04/2024
Orders1 of $5.5 billion; book-to-bill of 1.06x
Revenue of $5.2 billion, up 17%,...
26/04/2024
Five Considerations For Communications Modernization In The 21st Century
In the digital-enabled battlespace, the Joint Force needs to shoot, move and communica...
26/04/2024
CBS Sports has launched Champions League as a new, 24-hour streaming channel that will serve as the year-round destination for nonstop highlights of the UEFA ...
26/04/2024
Despite tough competition in the streaming space, Roku reported solid results in Q1 2024, beating revenue expectations, with total net revenue up 19% YoY to $88...
26/04/2024
LONDON AND TORONTO Pinewood Toronto Studios has appointed Sarah Farrell as general manager of the Studios in downtown Toronto....
26/04/2024
Quantum to Offer Advanced Filesharing Technology and Performance in StorNext and...
26/04/2024
FilmLight Colour Awards welcomes 2024 entries and introduces new Emerging Talen...
26/04/2024
Picture Shop Announces Chris Evans as Head of Unscripted
Brie Clayton April 26, 2024
0 Comments
Picture Shop announced Chris Evans will lead Unscripte...
26/04/2024
Participate in a Survey - The Impact of AI on Media and the Creative Industry
Pascal Wagner April 26, 2024
0 Comments
By participating in this survey,...
26/04/2024
Toy maker Mattel said it is working with Samsung to launch its first free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels later this year....
26/04/2024
Trusted Media Brands (TMB) said it named Marty Moe as president....
26/04/2024
Ron Howard is the director on Jim Henson Idea Man, a documentary that premieres on Disney Plus May 31. Henson of course created Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Big...
26/04/2024
The ice continues to melt under the regional sports network business as the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League have made a long-term deal to broadcast...
26/04/2024
Heading into the upfronts, Warner Bros. Discovery said it launched Olli, a first-party data platform advertiser can use for converged, targeted advertising camp...
26/04/2024
CBS has renewed the drama The Equalizer, which will see season five on in 2024-2025. Queen Latifah stars....
26/04/2024
The CW has entered into an exclusive multiyear broadcast partnership for the Miss USA Pageant and the Miss Teen USA Pageant. The 73rd Miss USA Pageant will air ...
26/04/2024
Fuse Media isn't mincing words in a campaign urging its young viewers to register and participate in the 2024 elections....
26/04/2024
Dead Boy Detectives, a series from Neil Gaiman about a detective agency staffed by ghosts, debuts on Netflix April 25. George Rexstrew and Jayden Revri are in t...
26/04/2024
Teradek, the industry leader in wireless video transmitters and receivers, announced today the launch of new Bolt 6 LT 750 and Bolt 6 Monitor Module 750 RX with...
26/04/2024
NEW YORK Amagi has appointed Richard Perkett chief product officer (CPO)....
26/04/2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced the results of the 2024 NAB Radio and Television Board of Directors elections. The...
26/04/2024
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. & NEW YORK Mattel has announced a deal to launch its first three 24/7 free ad supported streaming (FAST) channels on Samsung TV Plus, Samsung...
26/04/2024
PORTLAND, Maine Viewers here can now receive the NextGen TV signals of five local stations with the launch of ATSC 3.0 service from host station WPFO, which is ...
26/04/2024
TORONTO Rogers Communications has signed a 10-year agreement with Comcast to bring the latest Xfinity products and technology to Canadians....
26/04/2024
Calrec is very pleased to announce the benefits of its highly flexible approach to customer service has been recognized with a third award for the Argo range. T...
26/04/2024
New Adobe Photoshop with Advanced Generative Fill and Generate Image Brings New ...
26/04/2024
Trends And Takeaways From NAB Show 2024
Melanie Ciotti April 25, 2024
0 Comments
NAB's Eric Trabb (right) awards SNS with two NAB Show Product of ...
26/04/2024
Sony's Ci Media Cloud Keeps NHRA Moving
Brie Clayton April 25, 2024
0 Comments
Cloud-Based Media Asset Management and Collaboration Platform Accel...
26/04/2024
Capitol Broadcasting & Leadership Triangle Collaborate for Third Year
Capitol B...
26/04/2024
The staff at CBC Radio have been hard at work creating several new features for listeners and viewers. Several debuts are taking place this spring.
I have nev...
26/04/2024
NBA Playoffs 2024: ESPN Rolls Out Huge Production Operation for Busy First Round Tech deployments include miked on-field personnel, shot-distance tracking, AR g...
26/04/2024
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: ESPN Ops Team Navigates Both Sides of the Border With ...
26/04/2024
Behind the Scenes at the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit (Photo Gallery) After just the first round, the 2024 NFL Draft has already made quite an impression in Detroi...
26/04/2024
NFL Draft 2024: Van Wagner Powers Onsite Entertainment Experience for Record Cro...
26/04/2024
MCine Mauritius is to use Qube Wire for all future DCP deliveries across their e...
26/04/2024
Powered by XPression, the world's fastest-growing real-time motion graphics engine, Raiden combines data gathering, processing, and visualization tools to t...
26/04/2024
By Craig Anderton
With this technique, when you play a standard 6-string electric guitar, you'll hear the rich, vibrant sound of a 12-string guitar. The pr...
25/04/2024
Sundance Institute Founder Robert Redford during a press conference at the 1996 ...
25/04/2024
alt= class=wp-image-12361 data-lazy-src=/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NAB-booth-2024-960x540-1.jpg/> Set against a vibrant backdrop of innovation and collaboratio...
25/04/2024
alt= class=wp-image-12356 data-lazy-src=/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/NAB-mod-win-960x540-1.jpg/>NAB's Eric Trabb (right) awards SNS with two NAB Show Product...
25/04/2024
PHILADELPHIA Comcast beat earnings estimates in its Q1 2024 financial report, as streaming losses continued to decline and Peacock's paid subscribers spiked...
25/04/2024
SEATTLE The Seattle Kraken have inked new multi-year agreements with Tegna and Prime Video that will expand access to their games over broadcast stations and st...
25/04/2024
Cintel Scanner G3 HDR Restores Egypt's Cinema Treasures to Their Former Glo...
25/04/2024
Sinclair Broadcast Group said it named Kevin Coskren chief meteorologist at KTUL, its ABC affiliate in Tulsa, Oklahoma....
25/04/2024
The Business of TV News, a new one-day event featuring Martha Raddatz, Shannon Bream, Glenn Kirschner and other major figures in television news, happens at Hot...
25/04/2024
Conditions put on the proposed sale of WADL Detroit, to Mission Broadcasting have created a potential drama in the Motor City....
25/04/2024
TelevisaUnivision reported a $52 million loss in the first quarter, up from $3 m...
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. The Prairie Aerial team didn't intend to make a viral video, but their drone footage of a tech changing a light bulb on top of a 1,500-foot TV tower drew more than 1.8 million views on YouTube as well as the attention of the Federal Aviation Administration. (See Dronecam Captures Tech Changing Bulb at 1,500 Feet. )
