Aerial Video & Photo

Receiving a request to do a drone ‘shoot’ at a new locale is always a challenge.  We received a call from a seasoned, and very astute real estate agent who found us on the web.  The issue as many UAV pilots know, is what form of certification do you have? In our case we had successfully migrated to the highest level of certification with Transport Canada which is ‘Complex Restricted’ and further, we were awarded ‘blanket coverage’ for all the Muskoka Lakes Region.  For those not aware, blanket coverage can only be gained once Transport Canada feels that you have had enough successful and safe flights for business in specific locations, for specific dates, that they will give you broad access to an area for a much longer period of time. So…. in this case the request came to do a shoot on Sparrow Lake which was not in our specified area of legal work.  So quickly we put together, yet another application, sent it in to Transport Canada and were pleased to receive a quick turnaround on approval. Next, we had to co-ordinate the weather with the agent and the property owner, ensuring all aspects of the visuals would be in place.  In this case, the owners were...

That is…no wind.  But it did not start out that way.  As I’ve said and written many times, “there is lots of money around, but there are not that many great ideas!”  As typical with me, we just had to add persistence, determination and partners who ‘get it’ and say – “Im in!”   These were the words spoken by Jay Mothersil who owns Muskoka Paddle Shack on Highway 11, just south of Gravenhurst, and a new, perfectly located operation across from the famous and history-laden Bala Bay Inn. Working with the SaveTheBalaFalls.com  folks, we wanted something iconic that had the potential to be viral.  Once the idea germinated, the project became mostly logistics:  weighted anchor bags (thanks to Dons Bakery), lots of rope, skilled guys on paddle boards working the water, and prayer to the Muskoka weather gods for no south wind.  And let’s not forget the land team hoisting the 38 kayaks over hill and dale and into the waters of Bala Bay. For 45 minutes old ‘Murphy’ sat on my shoulder laughin at me trying to abort our mission, but after four hours, we problem solved our way through to a terrific design.  Once 95 percent complete we sent ‘Drone2’ up for a video peak and then...

I guess this is the time to elaborate on my latest project for added growth of my North 45 business in Muskoka. I took delivery today of a new DRONE! For those not in the know, these are aerial technology wizard flying machines that can take still and video pictures with amazing accuracy in high definition. For the faint of heart, for the un-determined, for those with a fear of flying – forget it!! Hire me! The work involved in terms of set up, wiring, actual flying skills, and all the pain and suffering of getting ‘off the ground’ well, let’s say one of my most impressive attributes is persistence! More on this later… A few years back, I took ground school (with my very clever wife) at the Parry Sound Airport and was learning to be a pilot. LOVED the idea, loved to fly small planes as I have many pilot friends who encouraged me, and I was quite passionate about it. Was flying ‘circuits’ and having a jolly time “stalling” the aircrafts – you gotta do it in training….Until I had to have yet another knee surgery. This got me out of sequence, and along with the knowledge that I might not have a fat enough bank...