The year is 2015 – and while we have somberly come to terms with the lack of jetpacks and hover boards, we are pretty stoked about the surge in flying camera technology.

 
Quadcopters, also called flying cameras or drones, are remote-controlled devices that became available for everyday consumers fairly recently. One of our talented videographers, Adam Hecker, began his training with a Phantom 2 Vision+ quadcopter a couple months ago so that Switch could take our clients and work back to the … um, present.

Our first foray into the blue skies? The 2015 St. Louis Arts Awards show, an annual event for the Arts and Educations Council. Filming with a quadcopter unleashes new ways to tell stories, so the Arts Awards show was the perfect chance to elevate (literally) the audience’s experience. For the Arts Awards, Adam captured aerial footage of the various organizations and venues that contribute to the city’s vibrant art scene.

Now that Switch has an official “quadcopter videographer” in-house, we wanted to get the view from the pilot’s seat and sat down with Adam to discuss.

How do you see what you’re filming?

The quadcopter remote looks like a gaming controller. It transmits a Wi-Fi signal to the quadcopter as well as to my iPhone. This signal is key to keeping the quadcopter’s location in check so we don’t lose sight of the device. The remote has a clamp for my iPhone so I can see the cameras POV via an app that is communicating over the Wi-Fi.

Is it possible to lose the quadcopter in the air?

If I’m not careful, I can pretty quickly lose sight of the white quadcopter ­– especially against a gray or light blue winter sky. Before taking off, I set a “home base” so the quadcopter can sense its proximity to me. If the battery starts dying or if it loses the W-Fi connection (which did happen when I was testing its limits and flew it up 1,500 feet), I don’t have to worry about the equipment plummeting to the ground and breaking or harming someone. When I establish a home base, the quadcopter knows where to land on its own. It’s pretty accurate; when I had the quadcopter land on its own, it landed within 5-10 feet of the predetermined home base.

Why is it called a “quadcopter”?

For some people, the idea of drones flying about strikes a nerve. There’s a negative connotation associated with unmanned flying objects – go figure. I call it a quadcopter because it sounds way less intimidating, less menacing – and using that term is sort of a movement amongst quadcopter pilots.   

Do you need a special license to pilot one?

For years, there have been ongoing debates about the legislation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). People worry about the danger of unmanned devices interfering with airplanes, disrupting their private lives and even causing physical harm. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been slow to put regulatory framework in place for UAS under 55 pounds – no surprise there, as the drone market is complex and therefore difficult to control or even summarize. Organizations looking to take off (again – literally) with delivery-by-drone services (like the viral “Tacocopter” hoax) will just have to wait. Those of us who use small lightweight quadcopters are doing our part to drive safely and responsibly.

What cool features come with the quadcopter?

We’re able to capture higher quality aerial shots for an amazing price. Instead of requiring a helicopter or a jib arm (a device that connects to a camera for high shots), we can easily capture unique shots that we normally wouldn’t have attempted. The camera included with the quadcopter is static – so it can’t zoom or focus – but the resolution and aperture can be controlled from the remote. It has a 3-axis gimbal, so it delivers remarkably smooth shots. From my phone, I can set it to hover mid-air, or I can set it to automatically glide into a stop once I let go of the controller. The remote can be plugged into a computer to update firmware or fix any issues.

What measures do you take to fly responsibly?

I can’t emphasize enough the need to practice piloting. I’m a seasoned videographer, but it still took hours and hours of practice (on private property) before I felt comfortable maneuvering the quadcopter in public. I’m also really into gaming, which gives me an advantage; the remote control for the quadcopter has similar controls to a gaming system. Flying helicopters in Grand Theft Auto is paying off!

 It’s also important to be respectful of the people and property around you. Switch asked for permission before shooting at the various locations you see in the video – and we have insurance to carry us through any mishaps. Video by quadcopter is an exciting and innovating new way to see the world…but we have to be smart about it. I’d suggest not getting drunk and flying one onto the White House grounds.

To get in touch with Adam, send a note to AdamH@TheSwitch.us.