RR Drone SIG Meeting Recap - 07 26 21

Total Enrolled Members = 17

Total Attendees = 12

Google Slides Presentation Link

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1CVd9UEY4Ovx9meq2NToiGTgYg8NsrB5LMIAGaNEVNsY/edit#slide=id.p

Dennis Brooks, Robson Ranch SIG Officer

 The Robson Denton Drone Special Interest Group (SIG) meets the fourth Monday night of every month, other than August and December, from 7 to 8 p.m. in Room 104 of the Creative Arts and Technology Center (CATC).  Since our meeting last month was on the cutoff day for Pioneer Press submission, a preview was presented and published in the August Pioneer Press.  This is from the actual meeting.  Before getting into the meeting, Dennis would like to recognize Rhett Hubbard for his aid that led to the recovery of Dennis' drone that has been in the front gate pond since 2 March 2021, over five months.  Amazingly, while the motors were corroded solid and the camera full of water, the video card in the drone was just fine and the flight video recovered.  The drone was recovered by a local SCUBA diver, coordinated by Rhett, cleaned and turned in for replacement by DJI, the drone company.  Dennis has been unusually persistent in working to recover his drone and the saga will be covered in a future meeting.

We had a dozen people at the meeting with additional lost when the announcement was not complete with location.  Dennis extended the information presented by Steve Simpson in the June meeting on the legal requirements from government agencies to fly here at Robson.  They do vary in parts of the community that fall under the Denton Airport controlled airspace, seen shaded in blue over the portion of Robson on the screen.  Note that new construction to the North will all fall under controlled airspace with more restrictions as the development extends toward the airport.  Dennis added to the legal requirements with the physical requirements to prepare the drone and accessories, preparing yourself as a drone pilot, the courtesy to be shown our neighbors and tips to make each flight safe and successful.  He handed out a 31 step checklist that covered items necessary, required, and nice to have for a safe and legal drone flight.  There was avid discussion with commercial and recreational pilots at the meeting.  The rules vary a bit, but less as the FAA becomes more restrictive in controlling drone flight.  Dennis worked his way through charging and updating the drone, controller and all accessories.  He discussed the paperwork that is required and what is good to have should questions arise.  He suggested a flight plan of some sort be drawn out so all objectives of the flight would be met.  Dennis found that he was forgetting video and camera settings and failing to take the photos he wanted without a map of the proposed flight with photo opportunities identified and changes in the drone controls and settings as they occurred in the flight.  Having lost a drone in the pond and fortunate to recover the drone, Dennis is much more careful in flying and is happy to pass information gained through courses, videos and talking with other pilots.  The officers of the group do offer to mentor new pilots and help them learn to fly safely.  The meeting was extended by additional questions and discussion.  It seemed to be productive and worthwhile for those that attended.

Please join us at our monthly meetings.  Visitors are welcome, even if you do not have a drone.  We are happy to explain our preferences and experiences with accomplished pilots to those thinking of buying a drone.  We try to display some of our photos and videos to illustrate our programs.  Mentoring and "Buddy Flying" will help you become a safe and proficient flyer here at Robson.

RR Drone SIG Meeting Precap - 07 26 21

Total Enrolled Members = 17

Total Attendees = 12

Google Slides Presentation Link

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1CVd9UEY4Ovx9meq2NToiGTgYg8NsrB5LMIAGaNEVNsY/edit#slide=id.p

Dennis Brooks, Robson Ranch SIG Officer

The Drone SIG meets the fourth Monday night of each month from 7 to 8 PM in room 104 at the CATC. 

Our July meeting covers what it takes to fly legally at Robson Ranch Denton.  This is presented in the form of a checklist, with copies handed out to attendees and available to any that have an interest. 

The Agenda; Why you need a checklist, Samples of free commercial checklists, 31 steps to legally flying at Robson (covered by the handout), What makes it worthwhile, Certifications required for Recreational and Commercial pilots, Paperwork to have on hand when you fly, and Alternate local flying at the Denton Aero Park.  The meeting will conclude with questions.

This meeting builds on the information from the June meeting and adds information from new FAA publications such as CFR 107_31.  There are a number of FAA Rules that apply to recreational and/or commercial (Part 107 certified) pilots.  The checklist covers from  flight preparations, charging your drone batteries, controller and phone/tablet, then progresses through the software, maps and other steps, preflight, flight, post-flight, to putting the drone away for another day.  Dennis will cover restricted zones over and around Robson Denton, filing for permission as necessary, checking the weather, the steps to prepare the drone before leaving the house, options for launch areas, general flying tips and things to check after you finish flying for the day.  A sample flight plan for efficient flights and some of the accessories that are required or just nice to have are part of the presentation.

If you have a drone, think you might want to get a drone, or just want to see what we do with drones, please come by, Monday night, July 26 at 7 PM.  Visitors are welcome and we are happy to give our opinions and sources of information to purchase a drone as well as mentoring or "Buddy Flying" to help you become proficient here at Robson.

RR Drone SIG Meeting Recap - 06 28 21

Google Slides Presentation Link

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ijuZDaGXTB9wzHrEnqHf_e_EtHXWTrfaNRXXepl4zcA/edit?usp=sharing

 Steve Simpson, Robson Ranch Club Officer

The Robson Ranch Drone SIG (Special Interest Group) meets the fourth Monday of each month (except August and December) starting at 7 pm at the CATC, Room 104. We invite all with interest in any drone related topics.  We are growing our club and now have 15 Members Enrolled in our Exclusive IO Groups (Previously Known as Yahoo Groups).

Our June 28thth meeting was hosted by Steve Simpson (Club Officer). Steve Simpson (Drone Enthusiast) presented on “Flying Safe at Robson Ranch” with 6 attendees. Steve updated attendees on the FAA Newest Mandatory Recreational  Certification called “TRUST” and elaborated on why obtaining this from Certified OnLine Providers will be important.  Steve also revealed and discussed the key FAA Website Links to determine who is a “Recreational Pilot, Optimal Places to Fly at Robson Ranch, FAA Air Space Restriction Maps, Process of Instantly Applying for LAANC (Air Space Waver) and Using Mobile phone/tablet Apps. Please join us each month!  The Drone SIG (Special Interest Group)  has no dues or membership requirements other than owning or having interest in anything drone related.

Our July 26th Meeting will be Hosted by Dennis Brooks on “Charging Batteries to Post Landing,  All you need to Legally Fly at Robson Ranch '' so we hope to see everyone then. 

RR Drone SIG - 05 24 2021

Steve Simpson, Robson Ranch Club Officer

The Robson Ranch Drone SIG (Special Interest Group) meets the fourth Monday of each month (except August and December) starting at 7 pm at the CATC, Room 104. We invite all with interest in any drone related topics.  We are growing our club and now have 10 Members Enrolled in our Exclusive IO Groups (Previously Known as Yahoo Groups).

Our May 24th meeting was hosted by Steve Simpson (Club Officer). Steve Depoe (Commercial Drone Pilot & Presenter) continued with our...”Member Spotlight” which provides Members to showcase their drone passions with 12 attending.  Steve revealed the various Drones uses to capture images for travel & pleasure and he went into great detail  demoing his Hawaii Video Compositions.  Steve also discussed the basics for any Drone Pilot to Fly and we all need to be aware of these as we fly.  Attendees were engaged in lively interaction with Steve during this Session

Flight restrictions around Robson were brought up.  A general overview of DJI and FAA restrictions as well as courtesy around Robson will be in next month's presentation.  "What should I buy?" for a first drone came up.  We are happy to discuss why we bought what we fly and to help people new to drones with our experiences and a bit of guidance.

Please join us each month!  The Drone SIG (Special Interest Group)  has no dues or membership requirements other than owning or having interest in anything drone related.

Our June 28th Meeting will be focused on how to “Safely Fly our Drones at Robson Ranch” so we hope to see everyone then.