We‘re busy with sUAV activity, exploring higher Video Editing & Photography skills, 2D Photogrammetry, 3D modeling and the associated apps and programs. Has anyone had their significant “Other” join forces... maybe better at video editing, more creative mindset with the end production tools, or just wants to get involved.
As I approach retirement (5-7yrs) in ”other” job... the income & budget side of family contributions... and get more project oriented with potential alternate income source. My Wife is slowly developing and interest... maybe seeing this as a way to work together or possibly a team to substain the budget... or increase.
She’s now played with the thought of trying the flying side too. Introduces the POC maybe not always being the active Pilot too. She doesn’t have the interest to pursue PT107 certification, just wants a hand in things (at least currently).
This sounds intriguing... might have a positive outcome or might be like our tandem bike adventures... you either love it or hate it... there are no middle roads in tandem biking!
Anyone else cross this path yet?
Any stories?
I actually have a lot of experience at this.
When I first started out in this business (long before the 333), I started on the Phantom 1. For those unfamiliar, the Phantom 1 transmits no telemetry data. Some may deem this "flying blind."
Like many in the industry, my machine was completely custom, outfitted with GoPro cameras with custom Peaux Productions Lenses, DYS 3-axis gimbals for video and 2-axis gimbals for photography, larger battery bays, increased voltage and on and on. My P1's (all 3 of them) also donned FPV systems and 900Mhz Rx/Tx for extended range and reliability.
Try to imagine long-range cinematography/photography with nothing more than line-of-site and FPV goggles. Needless to say I got "lost" twice because I neglected to turn the drone around and get a mental aerial image of my launch site. I know it doesn't sound possible, but imagine flying an airplane and looking for an airport that is nothing more than you and your girlfriend standing in a parking lot in a sea of parking lots. As a result, I crashed my drone twice as it ran out of battery as I fumbled through the air trying to find my way home (remember, no battery telemetry). Lesson learned. Both times I managed to "uncontrolled descent" the bird into bushes, which kept the P1 from suffering major damage. But I digress...
Naturally, because I was wearing goggles, line-of-site (which wasn't even a thing back then) and "situational awareness" were nearly impossible. So I decided to hire my GF as my spotter. Needless to say, she "over-spotted," reporting every tree, telephone pole, etc. No amount of coaching could settle her down. Now, intuitively this sounds like a good thing. But in reality it's very distracting. Add to this a female's natural inability to judge distance and speed very well, and you can see how this would add up to a plethora of "over-reporting." Her "help" was less than stellar.
The grass is almost always greener to women, for starters, a new study says—and such differences could have roots deep in human evolution.
www.nationalgeographic.com
However, having her there was definitely better than nothing.
Fast forward to today's modern UAV's. Any more these days she's simply there for compliance. However, you should be warned that your spouse will probably get bored very quickly and will lose interest in helping with your aerial jobs - at least that's my experience with Patti.
Here's one of my "old days" videos. Missing from my narration is the constant barrage of information Patti was feeding me the entire time. I had acquired a battery warning system that simply buzzed when voltage reached a certain point. However, the range on this device was limited, so a lack of beeping - which was due to the device being out of range - sometimes left the user with a false sense of security. However, when it DID work, it was a good tool to have.
In the video below, Patti warned me that the battery monitor was buzzing. Because it had been buzzing longer than usual, I started a stalled descent, which ultimately ended in an "uncontrolled landing." Fun times.
As you can imagine, Patti was screaming in my ear the entire time; "The drone is falling!!....you're going to hit a tree!!!...watch out for those power lines!!!" etc. All things I was keenly aware of...LOL... Needless to say, when a pilot is in panic mode, the LAST thing he needs is someone screaming in his ear information he is already well-aware of....LOL....
Enjoy:
Moral of the story; Your wife/GF might NOT be the best candidate for spotter.
D
