Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online. Learn more here or click on the link below to view class schedules, locations along with registration information.
There are many different things to consider when buying a drone besides how much does it cost, how high and how far can it fly. Some considerations among others include:
Some of the topics and considerations include among others: ✓ Whats your budget ✓ Size and form factor ✓ Build DiY or buy turnkey ✓ What are you going to use it for ✓ How are you going to use it (how portable do you need) ✓ Who makes what, who are the vendors ✓ Weight Matters (Registration, Operating Over People OOP) ✓ AI and Obstacle Avoidance ✓ Remote ID (RID) capabilities ✓ Fixed or removable cameras ✓ RGB, IR/Thermal or other cameras ✓ Precision mapping/measuring ✓ App supported devices (e.g. ios, android) ✓ Software app functionality and camera modes ✓ Photo and Video speeds/feeds ✓ FPV or non FPV flying (indoor, outdoor or both) ✓ How much can you afford to lose or crash ✓ Camera resolution, 1K, 2K, 4K, 6K, 8K, 12MP, 20MP, frame rates) ✓ Battery life or how long can you fly ✓ Upgrades, accessors, spares ✓ Warranties and service policies ✓ Insurance costs
Not sure what drone is best for you or your needs, give us a call or email, tell us what you are looking to do and we will provide you with our perspectives. Keep in mind that the best drone is the one that fits and meets your needs and budgets vs someone else’s.
The following is information about UAS UAV sUAS sUAV Drone Safety Fundamental Regulations. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Small UAV (sUAV), Small UAS (sUAS) also known as “drones” are growing in popularity and capabilities. Drones are used by recreational hobbyist, commercial, non-profit, government, and public safety agencies among others.
In the United States, once your drone takes flight leaving the ground it is considered to be in the National Air Space (NAS) which is managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Some considerations when flying a drone recreational for fun as a hobbyist, or as a commercial (e.g. part 107), or for other purposes is where your feet are on the ground, and where in the air is your drone.
Common Drone Safety Questions
Q: Why are there so many rules, regulations and restrictions for drones? A: For Safety
Q: What is the difference between recreational hobbyist and commercial? A: Hobby recreational drone operators are flying just for fun, not for commercial or any benefit to self or from others (monetary or other benefit).
Q: Who has to register drones with the FAA? A: For hobby recreational drone operators 13 years and older with drones weighing less than 55 lbs and greater .55lbs you have to register via FAA DroneZone website (here is the link). Cost is $5 for three years and you can register multiple drones with your account number. Note that drones registered for hobby recreational can not be flown for part 107. Also note that registration number needs to be clearly visible on the outside of the aircraft (drone).
For commercial part 107 operators if your drone weighs less than 55 lbs (including less than .55lbs) you have to register via FAA DroneZone website (here is the link). Cost is $5 for three years per aircraft (each drone requires a unique registration number). Note that drones registered for commercial part 107 can be flown as recreational. Also note that registration number needs to be clearly visible on the outside of the aircraft (drone).
Q: What if your drone weighs 55 lbs or more? A: For drones weighing more than 55 lbs, or, you want to qualify for sUAS operations outside the US, you hold title to an aircraft/drone in trust, the sUAS owner uses a voting trust to meet U.S. Citizenship requirements use this FAA link for registration.
Q: What are the recreational hobby rules: A: Check your local regulations for any restrictions on where you can legally fly drones outdoors among other rules. FAA recreational drone rules (e.g. 44809) are found here.
You Are Responsible For Knowing The Rules
Recreational drone operators should also be aware and know that if they intentionally violate safety regulations, and/or operate a drone in a reckless, or careless manner, they could be liable for civil and/or criminal penalties. In addition to knowing the FAA regulations, also know what your local restrictions and rules are. Saying that you did not know the rules is not a viable excuse, you as the drone operator are responsible for knowing where and how to fly safely.
✓ Register your drone with its registration number visible on outside of aircraft and carry proof of registration with your. ✓ Fly only for recreational purposes. ✓ When flying, keep your drone at or below 400 feet above the ground when in uncontrolled airspace (e.g. Class G).
Note that recreational flyers are not allowed to fly above 400′ by combing the height of a man made structure plus 400′ when within 400′ of the structure (this is something that part 107 operators can do).
✓ Obtain authorization before flying in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D and E) via Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) and/or DroneZone.
NOTE: Flying drones in certain airspace is not allowed. Classes of airspace and flying restrictions can be found on our B4UFLY app.
Also note that some federal, state, county and local parks as well as other locations have regulations on flying from (take off, landing) their land or waters. Know where your feet will be on the ground and aircraft in the air.
✓ Keep your drone aircraft (drone) within Visual Line Of Sight (VLOS), or within VLOS of an Visual Observer (VO) who is physically next to you to, and in direct communications with you.
Hint, if you or your VO can no longer visually see the drone without using displays, its out of VLOS, and your are flying Beyond VLOS (BVLOS).
✓ Unless your drone has lighting that allows you to know where it is, its direction and orientation, do not fly at night. ✓ Give way to and do not interfere with manned aircraft. ✓ Do not fly over a person or crowd of people or over a moving vehicle. ✓ Never interfere with emergency response activities including accident response, law enforcement activities, fire fighting, hurricane recovery efforts among others. ✓ Dont fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol. ✓ Dont operate your drone in a careless or reckless manner.
Q: Is there a training test for recreational hobby drone flyers? A: Not yet, its in the works, visit the FAA recreational website to learn more.
Q: What are the categories of drone operators? A: Part 107 commercial, 44809 recreational hobbyist.
Q: If you do not get any money to fly a drone, are you still commercial? A: It comes down to your intent to fly, and benefit (not just money) to you. If you are are flying a drone with intention to just have fun and not do things on behalf of others (even if you do not get paid) or that benefits you in any way, then you do not have to be commercial part 107. Put another way, if you operate a drone within the carve out exceptions for hobby recreational, then you do not have to be part 107. However if you go outside the regulations for hobby recreational, then you would fall under part 107 regulations and need to be part 107 certified. Note that in Minnesota you also need to be licensed by MnDoT (also aircraft/drones registered with them) to perform drone activities on behalf of others.
Q: If Im not getting paid, just taking some photos or video for a friends business, club, association, church group or as a volunteer at a non profit to help with their fund raising or website do I need to be part 107? A: Yup
Q: If Im just taking photos and using a drone for my own recreation activity, not doing things for others, may be sharing my photos however not selling them, or benefiting someone, do I need to be part 107? A: Probably not, it comes down to what is/was your intent and derived benefit.
Q: If I am not going to fly drones for commercial, why get a part 107? A: Additional experience, get access to additional airspace among other things
Q: How much money can you make flying drones? A: Like many things it depends, keep in mind your costs of equipment, spare batteries, apps, licenses, registration, insurance among other costs will impact what your earnings will be.
Q: How far can your drones fly? A: As far as I can maintain visual line of sight (VLOS) on them
Q: Drones are fully automated, why learn how to manually fly them? A: Its not if, rather when technology fails, or when you get into a situation where knowing how to fly and land manually become important. For example when an automated flight app encounters poor or loses GPS coverage and requires a manual or assisted landing.
Q: Can FPV drones be flown outside? A: Yes, absolutely, however they require at least one other person adjacent to the FPV pilot operator functioning as a Visual Observer (VO) maintaining a direct visual line of sight on the drone, as well as following other FAA drone, uas, uav regulations.
Q: Have you ever flown FPV, what do you think about them? A: Yes, I think they are great for those who like the FPV gaming experience, virtual reality and action type things. Keep in mind if you are going to fly FPV outdoors you will need to have a Visual Observer (VO) standing next to you watching the aircraft (drone).
Q: Whats different from flying indoors vs outside? A: Besides obstacles, biggest difference is you may have poor to no GPS coverage that can impact automated flight modes, in other words, you want to practice your heads up and stick flying skills (or learn to fly FPV).
Pictures Over Stillwater drone school are held at various education venues presenting UAV UAS Drone related topics. These safety and awareness education and outreach activities include introduction, basic, beyond the basics, as well as advanced topics such as aerial photography videography, among others topics.
Education and awareness sessions range from large adult community education, high school, individual custom training along with STEM programs around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area and online. Click here to learn more about Drone Education and upcoming events.
Pictures Over Stillwater drone school are held at various education venues presenting UAV UAS Drone related topics. These safety and awareness education and outreach activities include introduction, basic, beyond the basics, as well as advanced topics such as aerial photography videography, among others topics.
Education and awareness sessions range from large adult community education, high school, individual custom training along with STEM programs around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area and online. Click here to learn more about Drone Education and upcoming events.
Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online. Click on the following to learn more as well as links for registrations, times and locations.
Note that Minnesota in addition to FAA Part 107 certification requires an additional licenses from Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDoT) Aeronautics for commercial drone operators doing work for others. Pictures Over Stillwater is FAA Part 107 certified including Operating Over People (OOP ) and Operating Over Moving Vehicles (OOMV) waivers and various airspace authorizations as well as registered aircraft. In addition to meeting FAA requirements, Pictures Over Stillwater is also licensed by MNDoT for drone operations including aerial photography, videography and imaging for construction progress reporting, real estate, event coverage, and other commercial work activity in the state of Minnesota.
Pictures Over Stillwater provides indoor interior, outdoor exterior, drone aerial and all around creative real estate services. In addition to standard MLS compliant still photography and video virtual tours, we also provide 360 still virtual tours, and FPV drone fly through virtual tours.
Our Real Estate and Property services include residential and commercial real estate, developers, property management, home and building owners as well as construction progress activities. From single family to multi-tenant, half acre to hundreds of acres, single to multi-story high rise, one-time or recurring progress reporting, we have the experiences capturing these and other properties around the Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities Metro and Western Wisconsin areas.
Real Estate Example
We have standard packaged along with ala carte and custom services. Services include turnkey mission planning, flying and post processing for MLS still and video including 360 images with post processing, along with consulting and education.
Check Out A Sampling Of Some Of Our Experiences
Real Estate Land Property Example
Residential Real Estate Example 1 (Click Image To View More)
Residential Real Estate Example 2 (Click Image To View More)
Residential Real Estate Example 3 (Click Image To View More)
Residential Real Estate Example 4 (Click Image To View More)
Residential Real Estate Example 5 (Click Image To View More)
The following are various Pictures Over Stillwater drone based aerial photography and video images of different Boats Marinas Yacht Clubs as well as Harbors from around the Minneapolis St. Paul greater twin cities area.
Hyperlapse Spring Sunset Ice Flow St Croix River Stillwater Minnesota
Early Spring Morning Boating Aerial View St Croix River
The following video is an example of what happens when you dont get your boat out of the water in the fall and winter freeze comes early. This is near the DNR public boat launch ramp north of Stillwater on St. Croix River near Wolf Marina view looking south.
Have an upcoming event at a Marina, Association or other venue, or simply looking for images (still and video) of your facility or boat?
Pictures Over Stillwater Golf Course Country Club Images
The following are various Pictures Over Stillwater drone based aerial photography and video images from different Golf Course Country Club venues around the greater Minneapolis St. Paul twin cities metropolitan area.
Click on above image to view more Golf related images
Greater Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce 2020 Golf Event
River Valley Charities 2020 Troy Burne Hudson Golf Event
River Valley Charities 2020 New Richmond Pro-Amm Golf Event
Have an upcoming event at a Golf Course, Country Club, Marina, Association or other venue, or simply looking for images (still and video) of your facility?
Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online. Click on the following to learn more as well as links for registrations, times and locations.
Twin Cities Drone Aerial Sunrise Sunset Night Views
This page post is focused on twin cities drone aerial sunrise sunset night views including still photography along with videos. Most of the aerial sunrise sunset night views are from around the twin cities metro area there are a few from around Minnesota, Western Wisconsin and North Dakota.
New for 2021 northside of Stillwater Lift Bridge Lit Up
Hyperlapse time lapse downtown Stillwater Minnesota
Ice Maze From Construction Until Gone
Winter Week In Stillwater Minnesota Aerial Views Aerial Night View Ice Maze Stillwater Zephyr Theatre
Flying unmanned air systems (UAS), also known as unmanned air vehicles (UAV), aka Drones early morning and evening as well as night, has many challenges and opportunities.
The opportunities include capturing sunrise and sunsets from different vantage points in some cases when the air is calmer, clearer, and with fewer clouds. Likewise, there is less traffic (people, vehicles, and birds, or at least sometimes) than in the daytime, and, if configured properly, you can see your aircraft further. On the other hand, challenges include not seeing everything in the dark, other drones in the area that are not properly lit, or authorized to be in the airspace.
A challenge for hobby/recreational flyers who are not looking to go out and take photos and then sell them is getting night access to controlled airspace. For hobby and recreational drone operators whose intent is to go out and capture photos or videos to post and sell or promote, you should get your FAA part 107 certificate and then your daylight waiver. If you are already part 107, take the next step and get a daylight waiver so you can fly at night.
On the other hand, if you are looking to hire or have somebody do night time drone photos or videos, engage with a professional who is FAA Part 107.29 (daylight waiver), as well as MnDOT Aeronautics licensed, registered, insured and experienced. The key for nighttime, early morning, and evening drone flying is mitigating risk, being prepared, flying smart, and safe.
A couple of other tips and reminders include the night is considered the time from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. Maintain situational awareness of your drone’s altitude, direction, where it is, and where it is going while maintaining a visual line of sight (e.g., not staring at your phone). Another tip is to have high visibility lights that can be seen from several miles away. The lights help you see your drone and for others to see it (if they are watching). When you are going to fly at night, or even early morning or evening, get to know the area ahead of time while it is light out, where are trees, powerlines, and other obstacles.
The reason I mention the above is that having an FAA part 107.29 daylight waiver as well as being MnDOT licensed drone operator is to demystify and provide insight into night drone flying. If you want to know more about night drone operations or how to get your daylight waiver as well as airspace authorizations and related topics, get in touch with us.
Its Sale Time, Black Friday Before and Beyond
It’s here, Our Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Sunday Savings, Cyber Monday, Townie Tuesday, Wednesday Wall of Savings and, Thank You Thursday sale is going on now. We have stock images from around, on the ground and above the Stillwater, St Croix River Valley, Western Wisconsin, Twin Cities and adjacent areas. Browse, Shop, Buy and enjoy savings of 30% (or more) on Prints, Mounts and Wall Art including Metal prints from Tuesday November 24 through Tuesday December 1, 2020 at our online store (here).
Above, early November fall colors downtown Stillwater Minnesota with call waters of the St Croix river reflections of old and new bridges. Below sunrise downtown St. Paul Minnesota.
Late Fall Downtown Stillwater Lights Sunset Night Flight Views
Stillwater Friday Night Lights
Downtown Stillwater Sunset Opera On The River (view more here)
Washington County Fair Ground Sunset Views
Night View Washington County Fair
Stillwater Fireworks View From Wisconsin (view more here)
The following are various still and video images of the Stillwater St Croix River Valley World Tai Chi Day 2019 event held April 27, 2019 on the terrace of Stillwater Public Library. Images and UAS / UAV / Drone operations were conducted with permissions of Stillwater Public Library and event organizers.
Click on above Image to View More from 2019 Stillwater Tai Chi Day
