Since our name is Stealth, you shouldn’t be surprised we’re always looking for under-the-radar-ways ways to elevate client results. Sometimes that happens figuratively through high-performing digital media strategy, eye-popping packaging or building a brand from scratch.
And sometimes, that happens literally with jaw-dropping drone footage.
But it takes more to capture those stunning aerial views than taking a drone off the shelf and giving it a whirl. Every frame requires a lot of planning, preparation and — yes — paperwork.
Our resident videographer (and drone pilot) Jeff Schaeffer gave us the inside scoop.
License to Thrill
Believe it or not, you need to be certified by the FAA to fly a drone for business purposes. And, similar to a driver’s license, you need to be recertified every two years.
How do you get certified in the first place? Well, The Pilot Institute, which accredited Jeff, recommends studying for an hour a day over the course of a month. The lessons culminate in an exam covering:
- Weather conditions
- Safety protocols
- Identifying controlled air space
- Requesting permission to fly in controlled air space
Seems easy enough, right? Well, not quite. Getting certified involves learning the same charts as airplane pilots, so the learning curve is steeper than you’d think!
Close Calls
Nature finds a way… to get in the way. Shoots can be delayed hours (or days) based on clouds, wind, rain.
And even when sky’s nothing but brilliant blue, you might need to ward off the occasional bird.
“We had a close call with a hawk one time that kept trying to attack the drone,” said Jeff. “We had to pause and put red reflective tape on it to scare it off.”
Tech of the Trade
Why is drone footage becoming more common? Well, it can capture panoramic establishing shots.
It can show off the size of a senior living facility.
Pro Tip:
Using an aerial shot for your Google My Business profile makes it easier to find your location.
And it can take you on an aerial tour of a car dealership’s lot.
Beyond that, the cost of entry is getting cheaper. What used to cost thousands of dollars now runs about $300 or $400 for a decent set up, including automatic flying features. In typical Stealth fashion, we invested a little bit more than that.
Practice Makes Perfection
Like any other skill, piloting a drone is “use it or lose it.” New models and features hit the market regularly. And they aren’t fully self-flying (yet, anyway).
Jeff sharpens his skills by following The Pilot Institute on YouTube and a few handles on the ‘gram. He’ll practice those new techniques during the weekend for fun around the St. Louis area. His favorite place to go? Forest Park, of course.
Fun Fact:
The highest you can legally fly a drone is 400 feet.
Permission to Launch
The next time you an awesome aerial shot, just remember how much work and skill was needed to pull it off.
At Stealth, it’s just another day.
Reach out and let’s talk about how we can give your audience a different perception — from a different perspective.
