Had the MA2 out yesterday testing the new features and was able to capture a fire truck enroute, tried to stay up with it but too fast.  This was in sports mode, still need to tweak the advanced gimbal settings, was trying to keep the fire truck in the center with smooth movements.

Very nicely done

I'd love to be able to make footage like that in the UK, but it's not possible within the regulations.
Are the drone laws more relaxed in the US?

mavic2zoom-ch Posted at 8-11 07:53
I'd love to be able to make footage like that in the UK, but it's not possible within the regulations.
Are the drone laws more relaxed in the US?

As far as I know there are not any restrictions on following emergency vehicles from a distance.  Definitely could be wrong, but I have never read any laws against it.

Nice footage and flying!!!

mavic2zoom-ch Posted at 8-11 07:53
I'd love to be able to make footage like that in the UK, but it's not possible within the regulations.
Are the drone laws more relaxed in the US?

They are about the same - you just roll your dice and take your chances sometimes - otherwise you'll be recording cow fields forever.

Spotlight mode should have worked well for that, you would have done the flying and the MA2 would have kept the fire truck centered in the frame.

MisterFrag Posted at 8-11 08:25
Spotlight mode should have worked well for that, you would have done the flying and the MA2 would have kept the fire truck centered in the frame.

It happened too fast, I was going 40 mph in sports mode, couldn't flip to spotlight and still stay with the fire truck.  That said, I would like to try that next time.

Really cool video. I have to ask how far from your home point did the drone travel.

Visual Air Posted at 8-11 08:33
Really cool video. I have to ask how far from your home point did the drone travel.

Not too far, I was in an elevated position, doing my best to maintain VLOS, I believe it was 2,000'.  Had anti-collision lights on, which helps big time.

DukeNukemNY Posted at 8-11 07:58
As far as I know there are not any restrictions on following emergency vehicles from a distance.  Definitely could be wrong, but I have never read any laws against it.

sure there is no drone following emergency vehicle law, the distance applies to other vehicles following on the road.  however, one could make a case for general laws such as interfering or hindering or even make up something like tfr or rolling emergency scene....I don't agree with it but I can believe if an officer spotted a drone in tow.....

anyway I know you mentioned keeping fire truck in center but on some of those corners, I would have temporarily taken advantage by getting slightly ahead to make up ground later.  I always wanted to try this myself but haven't yet found a good opportunity; thanks for doing this, let us know what you find out.

DukeNukemNY Posted at 8-11 08:36
Not too far, I was in an elevated position, doing my best to maintain VLOS, I believe it was 2,000'.  Had anti-collision lights on, which helps big time.

Nice. I am really impressed with the range of this drone.

DukeNukemNY Posted at 8-11 08:29
It happened too fast, I was going 40 mph in sports mode, couldn't flip to spotlight and still stay with the fire truck.  That said, I would like to try that next time.

Yeah, I realize that was completely unplanned and a split-second decision. Getting everything set up is much easier if you know ahead of time what's going to happen.

The Saint Posted at 8-11 08:41
sure there is no drone following emergency vehicle law, the distance applies to other vehicles following on the road.  however, one could make a case for general laws such as interfering or hindering or even make up something like tfr or rolling emergency scene....I don't agree with it but I can believe if an officer spotted a drone in tow.....

anyway I know you mentioned keeping fire truck in center but on some of those corners, I would have temporarily taken advantage by getting slightly ahead to make up ground later.  I always wanted to try this myself but haven't yet found a good opportunity; thanks for doing this, let us know what you find out.

I don't disagree with a law or rule around following emergency vehicles, I was up at 360' FWIW.

In hindsight I would have definitely gotten ahead of the fire truck and cut those corners as you mentioned.  Also would have loved to flip the drone and shoot the fire truck in front of the drone, flying backwards.  

mavic2zoom-ch Posted at 8-11 07:53
I'd love to be able to make footage like that in the UK, but it's not possible within the regulations.
Are the drone laws more relaxed in the US?

Well if you ignore flying over moving vehicles among others, then yeah I guess the US does have laxed regs.

Good Job. Very nicely done.

Cool footage,

Hello there DukeNukemNY. Thank you for reaching out and for posting this cool video you have filmed using your DJI Mavic Air 2. Have a safe and a happy flying always.

Nicely done.    

Very cool footage.  MA2 is a great performer.

Nice one!
Too bad we are not allowed to fly like this in NL.
(we are not allowed to fly over congested areas. )