Headed to New York with the newest addition to my drone fleet, the easy to carry DJI Spark, hoping to do some flying in the very few spaces around the Jersey side of the Hudson where it’s ok to fly (since all of Manhattan is a no-drone zone), only to find that a TFR was put in effect the second day I was there, thanks to the president’s decision to go golfing in New Jersey…

  
  

However, I was happy to find that there was a drone exhibition at the Intrepid aircraft carrier museum, so it was a great opportunity to see very unique pieces of aviation history, from sea based, to unnamed, and out to space!

  
  

The City is always a fun place to visit, but until air space regulations and city ordinances change, it certainly won’t be called Drone City.

Here's the video summary of the trip:

  

As always, thanks for watching. Any comments, questions, Likes, and new subscribers are much appreciated!

  
  

SKYER

  

“Fly your drone as though you were flying in it yourself…”

  

See aerial short films at my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC304REG4t2_OWJmQDHLvQ2w

The shots just above the water surface were awesome! Made me a little nervous though! LOL

Jimmers Posted at 2017-8-12 16:59
The shots just above the water surface were awesome! Made me a little nervous though! LOL

Hey thanks! As long as you disable the VPS, make sure to have enough battery left to return,  and keep an eye on your altitude, flying over water is no issue at all.

Fly on!
Skyer

SkyerUAS Posted at 2017-8-13 04:03
Hey thanks! As long as you disable the VPS, make sure to have enough battery left to return,  and keep an eye on your altitude, flying over water is no issue at all.

Fly on!

Why do you need to disable the VPS?

Well done...thanks for sharing

Very nice flying!

Jimmers Posted at 2017-8-13 13:15
Why do you need to disable the VPS?

Because highly reflective and uneven surfaces, like water, don't allow the ultrasound and visual sensors to measure distance and displacement accurately. So the drone could over or under compensate if it gets too close to the surface, which could end up with it in the water.

Tviscomi Posted at 2017-8-13 13:20
Well done...thanks for sharing

Thanks a lot!

Lucas775 Posted at 2017-8-13 14:20
Very nice flying!

all seven seconds of it ;) Thanks a lot!

SkyerUAS Posted at 2017-8-13 16:54
Because highly reflective and uneven surfaces, like water, don't allow the ultrasound and visual sensors to measure distance and displacement accurately. So the drone could over or under compensate if it gets too close to the surface, which could end up with it in the water.

Thanks for explaining.  I plan to eventually use mine over water while kayaking.  I just have to get brave enough first.  

Jimmers Posted at 2017-8-13 18:10
Thanks for explaining.  I plan to eventually use mine over water while kayaking.  I just have to get brave enough first.

No problem. As long as you keep it high enough from the water, and keep an eye on battery levels, you should be ok.

Heading to NYC also.

NFZ on entire Manhattan? Even Central Park?

Adriano Araujo Posted at 2017-8-14 13:38
Heading to NYC also.

NFZ on entire Manhattan? Even Central Park?

Yes, flying drones is strictly prohibited in all of Manhattan, and in fact people are being encouraged to call 911 if they see one flying (NYC resources).

Here's an article showing other potential places to fly, outside the city: Where can you fly your drone in New York

Skyer

Thank you.

Where do you disable VPS

Martin Lines Posted at 2017-8-17 05:51
Where do you disable VPS

On the Phantom 3 there's a specific button in the DJI GO app to turn the VPS on/off. On the Spark, there's a button to enable/disable the obstacle avoidance sensors, but to be honest, I'm not sure if that includes the bottom sensors or not.

Great stuff, I'm headed into Jersey and NYC for the weekend (LI resident).

dezign999 Posted at 2017-8-17 17:55
Great stuff, I'm headed into Jersey and NYC for the weekend (LI resident).

Hey thanks!

Thanks for the upload.
Nice to watch

SkyerUAS Posted at 2017-8-17 03:24
Yes, flying drones is strictly prohibited in all of Manhattan, and in fact people are being encouraged to call 911 if they see one flying (NYC resources).

Here's an article showing other potential places to fly, outside the city: Where can you fly your drone in New York

Good to know!

Montfrooij Posted at 2017-10-9 22:01
Thanks for the upload.
Nice to watch

Thanks for the feedback!

SkyerUAS Posted at 2017-8-17 15:18
On the Phantom 3 there's a specific button in the DJI GO app to turn the VPS on/off. On the Spark, there's a button to enable/disable the obstacle avoidance sensors, but to be honest, I'm not sure if that includes the bottom sensors or not.

It doesn't - the VPS will remain on permanently with the Spark and there is no way to deactivate the VPS. As you state, you can deactivate the forward OA but thats it. Also, unlike the P3A, the Spark does not use sonic sensors - it uses 3D sensing which is actually more efficient but you're right, keep the drone a good 10m above the water to be safe although the VPS on the Spark does have an operating range of up to 30m.

Nice video, great job on the editing.

I dislike almost all the flight restrictions, but I do understand the ones around the president.  Like him or hate him, I think we can all agree that there is a sound logic behind it.  Many of the others.... not so much.

SkyerUAS Posted at 2017-10-11 09:56
Thanks for the feedback!

You're welcome. Looking forward to seeing more!

ACW Posted at 2017-10-11 10:06
It doesn't - the VPS will remain on permanently with the Spark and there is no way to deactivate the VPS. As you state, you can deactivate the forward OA but thats it. Also, unlike the P3A, the Spark does not use sonic sensors - it uses 3D sensing which is actually more efficient but you're right, keep the drone a good 10m above the water to be safe although the VPS on the Spark does have an operating range of up to 30m.

Good information. Thanks!

Sparky_17 Posted at 2017-10-11 10:09
Nice video, great job on the editing.

Thanks a lot! While flying is what I enjoy the most, playing around with the footage is fun too.

MrRobert5823 Posted at 2017-10-11 10:24
I dislike almost all the flight restrictions, but I do understand the ones around the president.  Like him or hate him, I think we can all agree that there is a sound logic behind it.  Many of the others.... not so much.

A presidential TFR makes sense. Anything else concerning the subject... not so much ;)