Flights of Fancy by William Daugherty
Many of us have enjoyed this enchanting place during the warmer months, but this time of year it becomes an alien landscape that is both wondrous and daunting. Even at noon, not much light gets down in there, but I gave it my best shot!
The video is really two different movies. The first half is a traditional cinematic experience and is quite beautiful. The second half is an edge-of-your-seat FPV flight up and down the gorge. This was some of the most exciting flying I’ve ever done!
Proximity to the airport makes this a highly restricted area (50′ AGL), but I figured it was worth a shot. The man-made stuff is OK from this perspective, but the river sure is pretty.
Still time to get your Drone Art Christmas Gift for anyone who loves the Upper Valley!
Scenes from Windsor, VT, White River Junction, VT, and West Lebanon, NH.
NOTE: All this was flown under an FAA waiver permitting operations over unprotected people and moving vehicles. Also, FAA airspace approval was obtained for the northern two locations. Please know, understand, and follow all rules for drone operations!
This was some of the toughest flying I’ve ever done due to the 50′ AGL altitude restriction. It might be worth it to get a waiver at some point to fly higher here, especially with this ice. As it was, I had to snake my way in and through the trees the entire flight. Worth it!
Three different cameras and fluctuating light made for some tricky photography. But first, a bit of intro video…
