On the heels of stories that some U.S. lawmakers wish to ban DJI drones, there was no scarcity of DJI drones within the air this weekend. That’s as a result of Saturday, April 27 marked the sixth 12 months in a row of Drone Security Day 2024.
The nationwide ‘drone vacation’ of types is orchestrated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It’s all a method to encourage native drone pilots, companies, first responders utilizing drones, faculties and extra to come back collectively and fly drones — all with security in thoughts.
Teams throughout the nation placed on their very own dwell occasions to localize the FAA’s promotional marketing campaign. As for me, I headed to my nearest Drone Security Occasion, which was a Drone Security Day & Swap Meet at Treasure Island in San Francisco, California.
Right here’s a video recap of the Treasure Island Drone Security Day 2024 festivities:
The occasion happened on the GAA Fields on Treasure Island. These mark probably the greatest locations to fly drones in San Francisco for one key cause: they’re a FAA-approved FRIA web site. FRIA is brief for FAA-Acknowledged Identification Areas, which suggests no Distant ID is required to fly over the GAA fields.
My trusty DJI Avata 2 got here alongside for the trip with me on Drone Security Day 2024. Past capturing some epic footage of the colourful environment, I additionally discovered some tips from the professionals. Drone occasions like this are at all times useful to select up ideas and tips. Particular because of the parents from UAV911 who helped me get comfy flying with the DJI RC Movement 3. I had type of been avoiding utilizing it in favor of the DJI FPV Distant Controller 3 on my new Avata 2 drone. I’m simply a lot extra comfy on the sticks, so I didn’t wish to be taught the movement controller capabilities. Seems, you can be taught new tips!
And it’s completely nice to be taught new tips from drone pilots of all backgrounds, which you’ll completely do right here! That included first responders, photographers, skilled pilots, lecturers and drone racers. With such a spread of drone pilots got here a spread of drones, from the DJI Spark (fairly a throwback) to DJI Matrice drones to the brand new Skydio X10D. Yep, this weekend was really my first time seeing the American-made Skydio X10 in individual).
Seems, my Avata 2 wasn’t the one one among its type there. Regardless of having launched only some weeks in the past, different San Francisco drone pilots are on high of the newest and biggest, too!
Right here’s a few of the footage I caught on my Avata 2 drone:
The Avata 2 begins at $999.
The whole day was a implausible mix of training, connection, and pure drone-loving enjoyable. An enormous shoutout to the sponsors. That features SF Drone College, Drone of San Francisco, Uncrewed Professional, and Distant Optix, who made this occasion potential.
In case you’re a drone fanatic within the Bay Space and also you missed the Drone Security Day 2024 shindig, effectively, let’s simply say you’ll have main FOMO (worry of lacking out) subsequent 12 months. Belief me, mark your calendars early as a result of that is one occasion you gained’t wish to miss in 2025!
And if you happen to’re not within the Bay Space, it’s possible there was a Drone Security Day 2024 occasion occurring close to you. Observe together with the FAA’s web site to see what you’ll be able to plan forward for subsequent 12 months. Can’t wait till subsequent 12 months? Take a look at my information to all types of different drone occasions in 2024 occurring around the globe.
Effectively, assuming we will fly DJI drones subsequent 12 months. Alas!
