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a future with drones

The DronePrep Team is heading to FOCUS 2021

by | Nov 26, 2021 | News

We are joining filmmakers, producers, writers and drone videographers at the FOCUS 2021 international production show in London. After a virtual edition in 2020, the event returns in a hybrid format on 7-8th December.

FOCUS

DronePrep is heading to FOCUS on 7th December at the Business Design Centre London. The two-day event will host exhibitors from across the creative screen industries: film, TV, advertising, games and animation. The event offers attendees a chance to meet with content makers, film commissions, production services and locations providers.

Why are we going?

The DronePrep team will be joining the Bristol Film Office, who have implemented a proactive drone policy for filming on Bristol City Council land. The introduction of the policy also allows hobbyist pilots to fly recreationally in four locations across the city.

Opening up new locations for flying isn’t just about hobby flight. The DronePrep team support the introduction of sensible, safe policies for commercial flight, which includes the use of drones for filming. With aerial videography on the rise, it’s important that both public and private landowners are prepared.

“Drones are becoming more and more popular in professional filmmaking. Sadly, getting permission to take off and land can be a headache for pilots. So, smaller production companies don’t always have the time or expertise to go through bylaws and track down landowners. We are working with local authorities and film offices to simplify applications and create clear policies for pilots.”

 

– Keith Osborne, Land Partnership Manager

Are you going to FOCUS too?

Get in touch and say hello to the team: [email protected]

You can learn more about the event by clicking here.

Filming with drones

Are you a drone filmmaker? We are adding new policies to the DronePrep Map for all drone videographers looking for the best spots. Check out The DronePrep Map for more.

DronePrep Map

DronePrep is attending the Farm Business Innovation Show 2021

by | Nov 8, 2021 | News

Land Partnership Manager Keith Osborne is heading to Birmingham this week to check out how drones and other technologies are helping landowners with diversification. Find us at the Farm Business Innovation Show 2021.

Farm Business Innovation

The Farm Business Innovation show is one of the UK’s largest events for agricultural innovation. It’s a fantastic opportunity for landowners and businesses to see the latest in technology and innovation for the rural sectors.

The event features exhibitors from all areas of rural commerce. It offers visitors a chance to learn about their options for diversifying. This year’s speakers are promoting everything from weddings to glamping pods to renewable energy.

DronePrep works with landowners to improve access to low-level airspace. As part of this, we are working to open new locations for both recreational and commercial drone use. Farmers and rural estates are beginning to see the enormous benefits that responsible drone flight can bring.

Keith will be meeting with landowners and discussing the advantages of Drone Access Policies.

“With ever-growing financial pressures on agricultural landowners, it’s important to understand the opportunities for diversification and find solutions to managing drone use on rural estates. Drones offer a wealth of options for the innovative landowner; everything from land surveying and inspection, to leasing for drone R&D, to opening flying fields for hobbyist pilots. We’re working with several large estate owners who are doing just that.”

 

– Keith Osborne, Land Partnership Manager

To find out more about how DronePrep is helping landowners and read about the benefits of Drone Access Policies, click here.

The Farm Business Innovation Show will be held on the 10th & 11th November at the NEC in Birmingham. Tickets are free to visitors – check out the website below.

https://www.farmbusinessshow.co.uk/

The DronePrep Platform

Are you a landowner looking for a better way to manage drone access? Click here to read about how we are working with landowners across the UK to communicate policies. 

DronePrep Map

The Big Ladder exclusive early access to DJI Mavic 3

by | Nov 5, 2021 | News

Chris Gorman, The Big Ladder Photographer, is given early access to the DJI Mavic 3.

A month ago, I was asked by DJI if I would like to road test the much anticipated Mavic 3 Drone. Here are my findings…

 

As a photographer, the first thing to catch my eye is, of course, the completely redesigned Hassleblad camera. Essentially there are 2 cameras. One is a fixed 24mm lens with a sensor size of 4/3 20mp, the other is a zoom of up to 160mm with a 12mp sensor…

It should be noted that the zoom cannot be used in Raw mode only jpeg. Video-wise, the Cine version comes with the much-rumoured Apple Pro res format, as well as other video formats and frame rate options – more than the Mavic 2 Pro. These also include 4k at 60fps and 5K a 50fps.

I have been lucky enough to be supplied with the Mavic 3 cine version. This drone comes with the much awaited next generation smart controller. And a whole new operational layout

On first flight, the drone is noticeably quieter than Mavic 2 Pro. Though the real difference is in how agile and more responsive the drone feels. It also seems to handle breezy conditions better than the MP2. The drone literally sits anchored in one place.

As a photographer, my initial tests have centred on the performance of the stills camera. I was mostly keen to test the camera in low light, as with a larger image sensor it was likely to produce much improved results. I can confirm that this is the case. Far more detail in the blacks (when shot in raw mode). Video is also far more tolerant of higher ISO’s with some of my test footage shot at 3200iso with far less noise than the Mavic 2 pro.

The game-changing aspect of this drone for many photographers will, however, be the zoom. I found it simply astonishing, zooming to an equivalent of 160mm. This will be superb for those carrying out building inspections and also for media photographers in those situations where you are restricted on how close to the subject the drone can be. The zoom switches between both optical and digital during the zoom (I believe a firmware update is due to make this process smoother).

The most noticeable part of the drone design is that the new battery lasts some 46 minutes… or 40 minutes in strong winds. This again is a game-changer, no need for quite so many batteries and you will be able to keep the drone in the air for double the time. The battery compartment is also part of the change, the battery now inserts from the rear of the drone and not the top.

On the new smart controller, the menu system is far easier to navigate with a sliding system to scroll around menus, much like an iPad.

Obstacle avoidance has been given a huge redesign with “fisheye” sensors on all corners that will definitely help in those close situations.

As I continue to test I will post my results on my website and social media, but all in all a huge upgrade, especially for movie-makers.

www.bigladder.co.uk

Insta: @bigladderphotographer

Facebook @bigladder

Night images of London and Brighton are both Raw images taken at 800iso.

UK PropTech Awards 2021 – Shortlisted

by | Nov 3, 2021 | News

DronePrep has been shortlisted for the Environmental Impact Award at the UK PropTech Awards 2021

UKPA Awards 2021

Environmental Impact Award

Sponsored by Osborne Clarke

This is a joint award for a PropTech and Property company that have worked together to implement a technology solution with a positive benefit on the environment. The winners will clearly highlight the problem that is being addressed and will clearly demonstrate the extent to which the solution helps address this challenge.

We are absolutely delighted to be recognised in this category.

Huge congratulations to all companies shortlisted – We’re very much looking forward to attending the awards in person and seeing you all there on 18 November.

DronePrep partners with FPV UK

by | Nov 2, 2021 | News

DronePrep is delighted to announce a brand new partnership with FPV UK – The UK association for radio control model and drone flying. We have teamed up with FPV UK to offer a discount to all members on DronePrep Map subscriptions.

FPV UK

FPV UK was formed in 2009 to champion and protect the hobby/sport of First Person View (FPV)* flying.

From this week, FPV UK members are entitled to a 30% discount on all DronePrep Map subscriptions.

To claim your discount email [email protected] with your membership details.

Not yet registered for access to the DronePrep Map? Sign up now

 

sign up

* First-person view (FPV) is also known as remote-person view (RPV), or simply video piloting. It is a method of flight used for radio-controlled vehicles which allows the pilot to see the “view” of the vehicle in-flight. It is commonly used to pilot a radio-controlled aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

Here’s a great photo of an FPV drone pilot at the West Midlands Drone Club meet up that we attended earlier this year:

FPV Drone flying

Kiplin Hall opens to drone pilots

by | Oct 19, 2021 | News

When looking for beautiful places to fly your drone, this sprawling estate in Yorkshire should be top of your list. Featuring a 400-year-old Jacobean house, lake and stunning gardens, Kiplin Hall and Gardens has just signed up to a Drone Access Policy.

Kiplin Hall

New Drone Access Policy

Kiplin Hall and Gardens in Richmond, North Yorkshire, has recently signed up to a Drone Access Policy. The Policy provides hobbyist pilots with new places to take off and land. It allows day visitors to the estate to fly recreationally from their designated Drone Zones.

Being a first of its kind for recreational flight, the policy requires visiting pilots to register with reception on arrival. Visiting pilots are also asked to hold third-party liability insurance for their drones and to fly in accordance with the UK Drone Code.

Their policy offers a sensible approach to drones, to the benefit of both hobbyist pilots and other visitors. Kiplin Hall and Gardens recognises the benefit of responsible drone use, encouraging visitors to share footage on social media.

“Kiplin Hall and Gardens is a large estate offering 90 acres of land and the lake. The estate has a long tradition of recreation. As a hunting lodge in the 1620s, and throughout its life as a family home, Kiplin has hosted various pursuits. These include boating, fishing, orienteering, walking and trail running, even curling on the frozen lake in winter. When technology advances, so do our hobbies. As a venue we must keep up with trends in how people want to enjoy our outdoor spaces. And, as an independent charity tasked with preserving the Hall and estate, we rely on ticket income to continue our work. Appealing to a new audience of drone pilots will help us to do that. Kiplin’s grounds have a lot to offer, with ample space for pilots and regular visitors to enjoy. Kiplin provides the ideal backdrop for drone pilots.”

 

– James Etherington, Director of Kiplin Hall and Gardens

DronePrep’s Role

The policy was designed with the help of DronePrep and can be viewed on The DronePrep Map. Click here to register for free. The DronePrep team is working with pilots and landowners to open up safe spaces for pilots to take off and land.

“We’re really excited to share this policy with the hobbyist community. It’s fantastic to see a beautiful estate with a drone-friendly policy and an understanding of the benefits that pilots can bring. We hope this leads to other historic houses following suit.”

 

– Keith Osborne, Land Partnership Manager, DronePrep

While the policy is aimed at recreational flyers, Kiplin Hall and Gardens is also open to applications for commercial flight. For more information contact [email protected]

The DronePrep Map

We are working with landowners, like Kiplin Hall and Gardens, to open up safe spaces to fly. Check out The DronePrep Map to find other great locations around the UK.

DronePrep Map