FPV Drone Service

 

FPV Specs:

Resolution

4K @ 60 FPS

Field of View

Wide after stabilization

Cameras

DJI, GoPro, RED Komodo

What is FPV? FPV stands for “first-person view” where the drone pilot sees what the drone sees through a set of goggles. The drone provides a video that is very free-flowing and fluid compared to traditional drones. The camera continuously moves forward which enables, most notably, a one-shot take.

Is it allowed in NYC? Indoor flights are not subject to the FAA nor the NYPD. Outdoor flights are allowed with a permit procedure via the NYPD & FAA.

Why use FPV? With FPV, it is entirely possible to do a one-take cinematography. Compared to a standard drone, which produces footage that is more traditional and one-directional, FPV drones are more surreal, fluid, bird-like feel. This also translates to longer view times and a higher chance a video can go viral. See JayByrdFilm’s video of a bowling alley that has 2.2M views - all shot on a GoPro!

When should you use FPV? While FPV can capture building exteriors with energy and flair, they harness the most advantages indoors. Connecting rooms and spaces together is one of the things FPV excels at. You can tell a story by capturing a single shot, leading your audience from room to room and experiencing all the amenities and subjects - all with context and continuity. 


FPV flight throughout a design/craft facility. Because of the various actors in, this entire shoot took a day: scouting, practice, choreography and shooting. Simpler shoots will require less prep work.

Some sample use cases:

  • Large indoor areas: museums, libraries, theaters, facilities/factories, breweries, arenas

  • Spaces that could use a bit of energy: businesses, office buildings, new stores, restaurants

  • Spaces with intricate paths: bowling alleys, gyms, auto body shops, go-cart tracks

When should you not use FPV? Small spaces. Areas less than 1200 square feet might not have enough room for FPV drones to flow through. If your space is around this size, ask for our Segway + gimbal combination. It might be a better way to showcase your space with a full frame camera (see right image).

BTS Newport skytechone

Is FPV drone videography more expensive? It is typically priced between our Mavic 2 Pro & Inspire 2 Pro pricing in a minimal crew member and scope setting, but with larger scopes, multiple crew members and multiple types of insurances, it can add up.

What types of insurance do you carry? We always carry 1M in General Liability. If you request more insurance, such as higher coverage, umbrella or workers comp, we estimate it will cost anywhere between $750-$1500 more.

How does the pilot have more control of the drone? The FPV pilot wears a pair of goggles that give them a real-time view of the drone and allows them to perform complicated maneuvers like flying through small openings or making banked turns.

Are they safe? Their small size and enclosed propellers translate to increased safety when compared to conventional drones.

BTS Newport skytechone

Does the FAA have any regulations on FPV drones? FPV drones adhere to all FAA regulations when flown outdoors. However, the FAA does not have jurisdiction over indoor spaces so besides flying safely, FPV drones have much more leeway on what they can do.

Can FPV drones fly over people? Drones weighing less than 250 grams AND having propellor guards are legally allowed to fly over people. If you need to fly over people, we can build a drone to this spec for a fee.

Should I hire an FPV drone pilot? FPV Drones are starting to gain popularity as clients discover their massive potential to showcase indoor spaces with a unique perspective and added creativity. If you haven’t already, we recommend viewing our FPV reel above and deciding whether FPV drone videography is right for you and your space. If you still need help, see the use cases below or contact us via the form at the bottom.

Video Village System
The video village (see above and below images) allows multiple members of the client to monitor footage wirelessly. Our base station is mobile, features:

  • Up to 17” pro monitor and receiver unit

  • Wireless headsets for communication between base and pilot

  • 500 watt portable power stations and power strips

  • Extensive FPV tool kit

  • Fast MacBook Pro to copy and stabilize footage on the fly

Transmitter station: With our standard system, thee pilot is hooked up to a mobile wireless transmitting station (see image, right). Both our transmitters and receivers in our video village set up have a long range meaning less time moving the either station or trouble shooting behind walls - which means more time shooting.

With our economy set up, the pilot is tethered to a standard range transmitters and paired with a standard range receiver & 13 inch monitor.

Do I need a video village? If you have two or more members on your team who would like to monitor footage, we highly recommend the set up. It’s much easier to make creative judgement calls when you can see the footage live on a large screen. This can save precious time and avoid re-shoots.


Half Day Coverage - $1750

Standard Pilot. Up to 4 hours Coverage. 2,000 to 25,000 Sq Ft.

  1. FPV Drone Pilot: FAA Part 107 Certified Drone Operator
  2. Deliverables: 4K MP4 video files via Google Drive
  3. Insurance: Standard $1M Aviation Liability coverage with 2M Aggregate.
  4. Travel within NYC
  5. Stabilization
  6. Assistant
  7. Tethered iPad Monitor
Schedule a video chat

Full Day Coverage - $3000

Standard Pilot. Up to 8 hours Coverage. 5,000 to 25,000 Sq Ft.

  1. FPV Drone Pilot: FAA Part 107 Certified Drone Operator
  2. Deliverables: 4K MP4 video files via Google Drive
  3. Insurance: Standard $1M Aviation Liability coverage with 2M Aggregate.
  4. Travel within NYC
  5. Stabilization
  6. Assistant
  7. Tethered iPad Air Monitor
Schedule a video chat

*Elite Pilot* Full Day Coverage - $6250

Elite Pilot. 8 hours Coverage. Up to 100,000 Sq Ft.

  1. Elite FPV Pilot: FAA Part 107 Certified Drone Operator
  2. FPV Director

  3. Technical FPV Assistant

  4. Stabilization
  5. Deliverables: 4K MP4 video files via Google Drive
  6. Insurance: Standard $2M Aviation Liability coverage with 4M Aggregate.
  7. Custom Cinewhoop Drones

  8. Video Village: Wireless 12 inch monitor

  9. Travel for up to 50 miles from NYC

Schedule a video chat

Behind the scenes of an FPV drone shoot:


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