Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Walter Pole on May 23, 2015, 03:41:55 pm

Title: Drone with FPV camera for gutter surveys
Post by: Walter Pole on May 23, 2015, 03:41:55 pm: Anyone have thoughts as to why this is a bad idea?
FPV - first person view, so the controller has live video.
Only downside I can think of is seagull attack as I work in coastal areas and high wind.....
Title: Re: Drone with FPV camera for gutter surveys
Post by: Nathanael Jones on May 23, 2015, 05:38:39 pm: Terrible idea!
Have you got one or any experience flying them? RF interference in towns will seriously affect your controls (wifi runs on the same frequency as the controllers) and even if you get a solid link they aren't easy to control and 2kg of metal & plastic falling from the sky can do damage to both people & property.

Get one to play with - they are awesome - but use a camera on a stick at work!
Title: Re: Drone with FPV camera for gutter surveys
Post by: Clever Forum Name on May 23, 2015, 06:09:30 pm: I wanted to make a promo video with one and have it as a hobby.

You can get some really awesome setups for 1-2k

Thing is when i looked into it. There is laws about filming and how high you can go etc etc.

I expect the laws to tighten as they become even more cheaper.

The one i wanted would auto hover and land itself.
Title: Re: Drone with FPV camera for gutter surveys
Post by: andyM on May 23, 2015, 06:54:53 pm: I've got a customer that offers this service in one of the businesses he owns.
I don't know the in's and out's and all of the legalities etc. but I do remember him telling me that he sent two of his staff on a training course related to the civil aviation authority (seriously! ;D) because they needed to obtain a license for the particular type of work they used the drone for.
Title: Re: Drone with FPV camera for gutter surveys
Post by: Nathanael Jones on May 23, 2015, 07:02:55 pm: The rules in Ireland are that if you use the drone for business you must carry PL insurance that covers aerial photography (about £1200 a year) get certified by the aviation authority (£1k), obey no-fly zones around airports (5 mile radius), stay below 400 feet, and even if you've a video link you must have line of sight with the drone at all times.

If you're just doing it for fun then the insurance & training aren't mandatory.

I've had a couple of drones & I'm currently building a custom 3D printed FPV octocopter,.. even with the fancy auto stabilisation and GPS position holding they're not easy to operate & take a lot of practice. Highly recommended as a hobby - but not for work!

Quote from: andyM on May 23, 2015, 06:54:53 pm
I've got a customer that offers this service in one of the businesses he owns.
I don't know the in's and out's and all of the legalities etc. but I do remember him telling me that he sent two of his staff on a training course related to the civil aviation authority (seriously! ;D) because they needed to obtain a license for the particular type of work they used the drone for.
Title: Re: Drone with FPV camera for gutter surveys
Post by: Matt. on May 23, 2015, 07:08:14 pm: I have watched sky testing these at football grounds and the lads using them were pretty good with them, not sure of names or anything but these had 4 circular propellers on top with cameras mounted.
Title: Re: Drone with FPV camera for gutter surveys
Post by: Walter Pole on May 23, 2015, 08:17:33 pm: Thanks for the input.

Second idea then is a blue tooth camera on a stick linked to my phone...KISS
Title: Re: Drone with FPV camera for gutter surveys
Post by: capn sparkle on May 23, 2015, 09:53:03 pm: [quote

The one i wanted would auto hover and land itself.
[/quote]

"auto hover" (dammit no signal) "land itself" (crash) ;D
Title: Re: Drone with FPV camera for gutter surveys
Post by: CleanClear on May 24, 2015, 02:49:05 pm: https://youtu.be/4vGcH0Bk3hg
Title: Re: Drone with FPV camera for gutter surveys
Post by: Walter Pole on May 24, 2015, 02:53:34 pm: Oooh. ..that may well become a tax deductible expense for my business!
Title: Re: Drone with FPV camera for gutter surveys
Post by: Nathanael Jones on May 24, 2015, 02:57:22 pm: The auto take-off and hover thing doesn't always work - even on the expensive drones! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TQQcBWV6Vs
Title: Re: Drone with FPV camera for gutter surveys
Post by: Walter Mitty on May 24, 2015, 04:05:19 pm: For gutter inspections, maybe not.

Now, a drone fitted with a bomb bay loaded full with bird poo, that's another matter. It could get you stacked out with work very quickly.
Title: Re: Drone with FPV camera for gutter surveys
Post by: richard groves on May 25, 2015, 01:19:15 pm: http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&ved=0CFMQFjAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.caa.co.uk%2Fapplication.aspx%3Fappid%3D7%26mode%3Ddetail%26nid%3D2348&ei=WRFjVazKCMLB7AbY84OoBA&usg=AFQjCNFugFmGIXJXzT6uFmWXWWGA3HNkfg&bvm=bv.93990622,d.ZGU&cad=rja

lower down the page..............................

"• An unmanned aircraft fitted with a camera must always be flown at least 50m distance away from a person, vehicle, building or structure."

I'd imagine if you wished to remain legal, then this would rule out the use of a drone camera for most instances of gutter surveys
Title: Re: Drone with FPV camera for gutter surveys
Post by: telfordwindowclnr on May 25, 2015, 05:46:43 pm: We are looking at getting one for work. Training and licence are necessary for business. It can be pricey.
Title: Re: Drone with FPV camera for gutter surveys
Post by: andyM on May 25, 2015, 05:51:44 pm: Quote from: Solar Steve on May 25, 2015, 05:46:43 pm
We are looking at getting one for work.

Sounds like a good idea.
It's usually the one's at the back of the class that are not paying attention and fall asleep. ;)
Title: Re: Drone with FPV camera for gutter surveys
Post by: DaveG on May 25, 2015, 07:02:28 pm: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2837199/A-real-bachelor-s-pad-complete-sunbaker-Real-estate-billboard-accidentally-features-g-string-clad-mum-basking-sun.html

;D