I'm on a Boat
November 8
Early in the morning, we drove to a film set to observe a professional drone operation. The weather was calm, with fog lifting from a nearly crystal-clear lake, creating ideal flying conditions. The drone, a brand-new DJI Inspire 3, looked intimidating but had familiar controls. Flying drones from boats presents unique challenges: calibrating on land is usually necessary, and metal can cause compass errors. Water reflections can also confuse collision sensors, and a drifting boat changes position at landing. The risk is high, but the stunning shots were worth it. We left the set as dusk approached.
