Our Futures Lab Aviators developed and improved upon their drone piloting skills as well as their general aviation knowledge. They studied the FAA regulations for recreational and commercial drone flight both in preparation to take the FAA Part 107 Unmanned Aerial Systems exam as well as to legally fly their drones. Having a Part 107 license is necessary to get paid work as a Drone Pilot!
Eventually, we focused on different applications of drone use in the world today, including photography and videography. For the Learner Expo, Aviators chose to submit photos they took as part of a drone photography project. They started with piloting Parrot Mambos, then DJI Tellos, and eventually graduated to Mavic Minis with higher quality gimballed cameras. Some students used even more advanced drones. They also spent time using different tools to post-process their photos to make them more marketable!
Below you will see some of their final products, along with a creator’s statement describing their process and their experience in the course.
Eventually, we focused on different applications of drone use in the world today, including photography and videography. For the Learner Expo, Aviators chose to submit photos they took as part of a drone photography project. They started with piloting Parrot Mambos, then DJI Tellos, and eventually graduated to Mavic Minis with higher quality gimballed cameras. Some students used even more advanced drones. They also spent time using different tools to post-process their photos to make them more marketable!
Below you will see some of their final products, along with a creator’s statement describing their process and their experience in the course.
Sterling A.
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When choosing the subject matter of my photo I just found things with nice colors in my backyard area because there was restricted air space in front of my house. While piloting the drone I had to be able to maneuver the Mavic Mini without crashing into support structure for 2nd shot. A challenge I faced was wind when it got too high. To prepare the photos for final submissions I changed things until they had a nice color that didn't look super edited. These were the photos I submitted because I chose these two photos because I couldn't choose which of the two I liked more, I did think they are both really cool. This semester in Aviation I've learned there's a lot more regulations for drones and flying than I previously thought! Some challenges I faced were time management (and I’m still working on it). A skill I developed was how to fly drones; I’m excited to learn more drone photo shooting next!
Mason C.
I chose this photo because I thought that spot of the Eaton ditch looked cool. To get the shot I had to I practiced centering the middle of the curve in the picture. I used my Mavic Air. It was challenging because It was a little windy, but besides that I had plenty of time. To edit the photo I used the photo editor that comes in the photos for my Macbook. I mainly edited the brightness and made the blue a little more noticeable in the water. I chose this video to submit because I liked that it was more unique and shows off the area that I live.
A takeaway from the class was that there's a lot more job opportunities for drone pilots than just photo and video. There's also a lot more you need to know while doing commercial jobs such as the airspaces and restrictions that normal people wouldn't think of. The main challenge was adapting between remote and hybrid learning. It wasn't hard to overcome. I just had to make a new schedule. I developed more piloting skills when looking at the drone rather than the camera. I also developed more photo editing skills. I'm excited to see what opportunities drone pilots will have now that the pandemic has gone on so long and if it will speed up the idea of drone deliveries!
A takeaway from the class was that there's a lot more job opportunities for drone pilots than just photo and video. There's also a lot more you need to know while doing commercial jobs such as the airspaces and restrictions that normal people wouldn't think of. The main challenge was adapting between remote and hybrid learning. It wasn't hard to overcome. I just had to make a new schedule. I developed more piloting skills when looking at the drone rather than the camera. I also developed more photo editing skills. I'm excited to see what opportunities drone pilots will have now that the pandemic has gone on so long and if it will speed up the idea of drone deliveries!
Carter J.
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I chose to take a picture of my school because of the sunset and the mountains in the background. A drone skill I had to employ was communication with my visual observer to avoid trees! A challenge was time. I submitted this photo because I liked the mountains and the sunset in the background of my school.
A takeaway from this semester was preparing for the FAA Part 107 test. A challenge was staying on top of work. I am still working on overcoming this! I developed a deeper understanding of aviation and I am excited to go and fly a plane next. |
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Connor A.
For this photo, I drove to an open field near my house and liked how the dirt road led the viewer’s eyes to me (the subject). I also just thought it would be cool to take a selfie from 40 feet in the air. I used a DJI Mavic Mini. I used the maneuvering skills I've learned to have the drone take off and be positioned so it would face me. I then tilted the camera down so I could take the picture . It was a pretty windy day and the sun was about to set so there was less light. I put the photo into VSCO, a photo editing app I use, and turned the exposer down. I increased the contrast and put the brightness up a little bit. I also added a bit of warmth to the image while tinting it as well. This all allowed the colors to pop while bringing back some of the detail lost in the original image. I chose this photo because Alice and John thought it would be cool to get some shots of us (the students) flying the drone. I like it because I just thought it was fun. I like flying.
In this class I think I've learned a lot more about career pathways with drone as well as regular pilots. It's opened my eyes a bit to everything that goes into doing this kind of work. Some challenges were definitely scheduling stuff. It's been hard to find time. I also had some problems with propellers and technological issues with the drones. But I was able to work through them. Control is probably the biggest skill I developed. I learned how to read airspace maps and I understand why things are the way they are a little bit more (at least for what's going on in the air). Next, I think it would be fun to try and fly more UA's as well as actual airplanes.
In this class I think I've learned a lot more about career pathways with drone as well as regular pilots. It's opened my eyes a bit to everything that goes into doing this kind of work. Some challenges were definitely scheduling stuff. It's been hard to find time. I also had some problems with propellers and technological issues with the drones. But I was able to work through them. Control is probably the biggest skill I developed. I learned how to read airspace maps and I understand why things are the way they are a little bit more (at least for what's going on in the air). Next, I think it would be fun to try and fly more UA's as well as actual airplanes.
Eo'in O.
I chose this subject because I wanted to help my brother advertise his business. I used the Mavic Mini drone and I had to say calm and collected so I didn't hit the wrong joystick and miss the shot. I had to time the photo just right because they were moving fast. To edit the photo for submission I enhanced the color of the sky so it wasn't so white. I just touched up some of the color so it was more colorful and not so bland. I chose this video for the exhibition because I submitted because I incorporated all the aspects I wanted. I liked the mountains in the back and my brother and his girlfriend.
A takeaway from this semester was Don't fly over 400ft and always follow the rules! A challenge was it was hard to make up a week of work in two days when I was working and I believe that I did a good job. I got better with the controls because at the beginning I would always get them confused. I'm excited to learn more on taking photos and editing them.
A takeaway from this semester was Don't fly over 400ft and always follow the rules! A challenge was it was hard to make up a week of work in two days when I was working and I believe that I did a good job. I got better with the controls because at the beginning I would always get them confused. I'm excited to learn more on taking photos and editing them.
Lucus R.
I chose the subject matter of my photo to show how much I love my family no matter what. The drone I used to get the photo was a mavic mini and what I did was get the perfect angle to get the picture as well as the perfect lighting for it as well. Some of the challenges I had to face for getting the picture is that I had to find a nice spot to get the picture and come up with the idea for getting the person photo. What I did was to crop the photo on EPixler and make some coloring adjustments to it, making it look like the sun is at a perfect angle, or making it have some favored colors on it. The reason why I chose this photo is because I wanted to show them that I have very loving brothers.
Some of the takeaways so far from this semester was that we had more outdoor time with our drones than indoor time, focusing on some of the class subjects. Some of the challenges I had was remembering what the difference was between AGL and MSL, finding the longitude and latitude on the aviation map, and having to do really hard assignments, but I overcame them by watching a video on how to figure out the map and numbers, and me having to go with the flow on the assignments. The skills I developed during the class was to figure out how to fly a drone and how to operate it, and knowing what kind of aviation workers are there. I am excited to try and learn how to learn more on flying a plane in the simulators, if we do have the chance next quarter.
Some of the takeaways so far from this semester was that we had more outdoor time with our drones than indoor time, focusing on some of the class subjects. Some of the challenges I had was remembering what the difference was between AGL and MSL, finding the longitude and latitude on the aviation map, and having to do really hard assignments, but I overcame them by watching a video on how to figure out the map and numbers, and me having to go with the flow on the assignments. The skills I developed during the class was to figure out how to fly a drone and how to operate it, and knowing what kind of aviation workers are there. I am excited to try and learn how to learn more on flying a plane in the simulators, if we do have the chance next quarter.
Tristan O.
I chose this photo because I liked the mountains and the sunset together. I used the Mavic Mini and I got as high up as I could to get a better picture of the landscape. It was challenging because It was right before night time and dark so I had to get the pictures fast. I left it pretty raw to capture the sunset better and the water. I chose this photo to submit because I like the sunset and the mountains with all the cool colors. I also like the reflection on all the water from the sunset.
This semester I learned how to learn and be good at flying and then share your experience with others and give them knowledge on how to become better. Being online was hard but I eventually got the hang of it and can do better. I learned how to read flying charts and know where you can fly drones and planes. I'm excited to get into the aviation community more and experience it.
This semester I learned how to learn and be good at flying and then share your experience with others and give them knowledge on how to become better. Being online was hard but I eventually got the hang of it and can do better. I learned how to read flying charts and know where you can fly drones and planes. I'm excited to get into the aviation community more and experience it.
Tyler C.
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I chose the subject matter of my photo because I thought that a sunset over the mountains would be an amazing photo, but it turned out to be even better than just a sunset over the mountains! To pilot the drone I didn't really have to do much. It was a bit windy up high so I had to keep the drone steady for the shot. To edit the photo I used Adobe Lightroom and I brought out a bunch of the color and tried to make the overall focal point of the picture the mountain with the clouds coming out from it, making it look like a volcano! I chose this photo because this picture may be really hard to take again because of the positioning of the clouds that day! What I like about it the most is the clouds that are coming off of the mountain making it look like a volcano is about to erupt, and the sunset in the background right behind the clouds makes everything just that much more amazing.
In our class I am really enjoying flying the drones for fun around the parking lot, and back, and the field! A challenge I had was getting assignments turned. A skill I developed was that I am a lot better at keeping the drone steady in windy weather! For my next steps, I am excited to keep flying drones and hopefully learn more about airplanes!
In our class I am really enjoying flying the drones for fun around the parking lot, and back, and the field! A challenge I had was getting assignments turned. A skill I developed was that I am a lot better at keeping the drone steady in windy weather! For my next steps, I am excited to keep flying drones and hopefully learn more about airplanes!
Leo J.
I took this photo because I needed a photo for my senior photos. I had to be able to keep the drone in a single place while hiding the controller from frame. A challenge I faced was getting clearance to do some photo shoots at the airport! I used a photo editor after editing it in Instagram to blur out the background. I chose this photo because I thought it was really good looking and is the only photo of myself I like.
In this class it's been good to refresh a lot of stuff I've learned in my aviation lessons. A challenge was trying to get motivated to go out and find all the pictures I was required to find. I got much better at rc controls! Next, I’m excited to get my private pilot’s license.
In this class it's been good to refresh a lot of stuff I've learned in my aviation lessons. A challenge was trying to get motivated to go out and find all the pictures I was required to find. I got much better at rc controls! Next, I’m excited to get my private pilot’s license.
Nathaniel H.
This photo is of one of my younger brothers playing on our playground. I chose him because I wanted to focus on family and most of my siblings were busy. I used a DJI Tello. I had to time the shot and estimate how close the drone could be without hurting my brother or myself. It was challenging timing the shot; it was getting dark so I had to hurry. I did not really edit it other than changing the size of the picture. I chose these photos to share because I thought they were fun shots. I like how he both looks like he was having fun and that he is tired.
In this class I learned that flying a drone is hard! Also that there are a lot of rules to fly drones and planes but they make a lot of sense. At first I was not very good at flying my drone, I overcame it by getting help. For example, having my brother tell me if I am about to hit something! Over time I developed a better grip on flying a drone, and I got better at the phonetic alphabet. I am excited to get my commercial drone license once I turn 16.
In this class I learned that flying a drone is hard! Also that there are a lot of rules to fly drones and planes but they make a lot of sense. At first I was not very good at flying my drone, I overcame it by getting help. For example, having my brother tell me if I am about to hit something! Over time I developed a better grip on flying a drone, and I got better at the phonetic alphabet. I am excited to get my commercial drone license once I turn 16.
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