Time does fly when you are having fun — flying!
2024 has been incredibly busy and we’ve barely had a minute to stop and refuel, let alone send out an email! Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to thus far in 2024.
Hitting the Road
This year, we’ve been filming further afield flying for companies in Pennsylvania, Ohio and across Texas. We completed a detailed 3D map for a golf course in Houston, Texas, and created maps and videos for clients with industrial sites in Erie, PA, Cleveland, OH and back down at our second home base in Las Vegas.
Golf Is the Name of the Game
In addition to the golf course filming we did in Texas, we also took awesome footage of a sweet 18-hole piste in Vegas, where our drones had to artfully dodge the Wynn Hotel and a 29-story apartment building, all while filming (legally, of course) in restricted airspace.
No Fly? No Problem!
Restricted airspace, you ask? That’s our specialty. As most of you are aware, we spend a lot of our days in and around airports, zero airspace and challenging areas to fly. Here’s just one example. This video of JJ Sprague and company was taken around the Deer Valley Airport property. Holy moly! Will you look at the size of those trenches they build!
Speaking of those tricky-to-fly places, just last week we received authorization to fly within the Zero at the South Gate of Luke Airforce Base. Even for us, this was a pretty big deal. It’s a rare approval and we’re all set to fly there. Not wasting any time, ViaWest and Willmeng Filming sent us straight to the base to film their progression and create some of our kickass marketing videos.
Where Else Have We Flown?
Not to toot our own horn, but we’re pretty proud of having received approval just this month to film at Ryan Airfield and Davis Moffan in Tucson plus the Chandler, AZ Water Treatment Plant. I guess becoming a manned-pilot to do this job is paying off? Lol!
Ryan Airfield
Broadway Curve in No Fly at Sky Harbor
Luke Airforce Base Deer Valley Airport (Boy these are really close!)
Need Footage in Restricted Airspace?
If you need photography or video on a site that has very limited to no airspace, let us know and we can help you out. We’ve got plenty of experience wading through the red tape and getting approval to fly. Give us a holler.
Always the Latest Tech
In addition to our ability to fly almost anywhere, when it comes to technology, we’re always upping our game. In February, we were hired to map one of the largest substations in Arizona using advanced SLAM-based LiDAR. Plus, we’ve now started 3D printing certain drone parts to build some incredible FPV drone tools. These are just a few examples of how we’re always advancing our tech to improve our services and raise the production value of what we do for you, our customers.
The Scoop: Equipment We Can’t Live Without
Speaking of new equipment, if you know us - even a little - you know we can’t stop buying the latest drone gear. Having the best equipment is non-negotiable for us. This playlist showcases some of the equipment we use day in and day out to provide the best drone images and data in the field.
Solar - Our Newest Realm
In case you missed our last email, we’re now offering specialized Solar plant inspection services including close-out mechanical visuals, thermal post energizing and hot commissioning inspections, plus warranty electrical as-built comparisons.
This past month, we were hired by Buckeye Partners to do some serious mapping and geospatial work for a 3400-acre solar site. Our visuals helped them with modeling, redesign and forensic geodetic work in their new solar plant. The ultra-detailed data we provide allows us to ensure that every single panel is aligned and every screw is in place. Thank God for the geospatial super nerds we have on our team!
Why Are Drones a Big Deal in Solar?
Want to read more about why solar and energy companies are a big focus for us here at EAP right now? Our latest blog explains 11 ways that drones are making solar plants safer, more efficient and more profitable.
We Never Stop Loving FPV
First Person View never stops being cool. We use it for many clients from advertising and commercials to precision flights.
Want your job sites to look more appealing like this?
This FPV video shows a heavy civil work site here in Arizona plus a solar site we filmed up in Missouri. This fantastic footage was captured by our longtime friend and new team member, Don Huen (“The Don”) who will now be doing all of our FPV flights. Chris Alexander (“The Urkel”) also headed up production for this project and pulled all the odds and ins together.
LiDAR v. Photogrammetry: The Age Old Question
We’re busy getting ready for summer with brand new, LiDAR toys we’re trying out. They include Voyager and VX20 units.
Still confused about the difference between LiDAR and Photogrammetry? Not sure which you need? We explain the differences and when to use each.
Welcome to the Skies, Monica!
Let’s welcome Monica to the world of drones! For many of you and for everyone here, Monica is the Gorilla Glue of the back office. After 5 years with us, she could resist no more and finally received her 107 license. Please welcome her aboard the flight crew as she will now officially be able to help with those familiar calls: “Hey Mark, the drone dude we use didn't show up today so can you fly for us?” or “Can you help find our lost dog?”
If you’re still reading - thank you!
We want to thank all of our amazing clients for keeping us busy, challenging us to help solve the problems you face and allowing every day to be a passion project day.
Regardless of what field you’re in, we bet that drones can help you showcase your business or get better results. Curious? Let’s chat.
One more clip before you go….
Check out our new FPV sizzle reel here:
Cheers,
Mark and the EAP Team
PS... We ran out of room but here’s what’s on deck. In our next newsletter watch out for the new MLB and Saturday Night Live commercial we just filmed this week inside Chase Field!
Comments