Orion Drones

Reflections on Gun Violence

A definitively American problem. I feel like I should get a different sweater. The one I am wearing has a big target on it. Guns are for cowards. I think the radicalization of uneducated people is a big problem. I am neither ‘pro-gun’ nor ‘anti-gun’. The issue for me is whether or not mental health is a reflection of a measurable public safety policy, and if so, are we educating the public to assimilate neurodivergency, or are we doing this bloodbath lottery for another decade? I have had guns in my face in this country a few times, none good. Our political system is unable to solve the problem by soaking up campaign funds. The money is dark.

Filming in Wheeling

I was at distance from local airports, and the weather was fairly calm. I called the local PD to get in front of any nuisance calls, and I drained my batteries down by the Ohio River in Figures 1-3. I used an automated flight plan to generate the sweep of the long shot in the video, the same flight program used in the art gallery footage in Figure 5 to sweep the collection.

Filming an Art Gallery

I enjoy painting. Occasionally, so do other people. Galleries are usually indoor affairs.This is a virtual, outdoor gallery. In Figure 4, the stick to the left is painted in alternating feet, so the needs of this collection requires about 100 square feet of flat walls.

Verticals Community Learning Center

Verticals is a local community development center that gives kids a choice of after-school programs that enrich young lives and provide a sense of pride in community. A link to the organization is provided. Some school districts have been able to secure transportation. The students get a veritable launch point for careers in technology and media if they had yet to choose a career path. They like the class, too!

Drone Cinematography Class

• How to fly recreational drones with basic and advanced maneuvers.
• How to plan flights for capturing media.
• Get the soon-to-be mandatory – and EASILY OBTAINED – TRUST flyer certificate from the FAA, online for free.
• How to film, edit, and share a video you make with drone footage and apps.
• How to fly a drone with Scratch Python block code.
• Provide information about industrial drone applications and jobs.

Local Resource in Action

Community groups will have some authority to determine the nature of its flight operations in local airspace come this fall 2022. As long as a responsible pilot is connected to the group, the area can develop flight operations that best suits the needs of the group. A FRIA is basically an area supported by a Part 107 drone pilot or more qualified pilots. The FAA determines the location and quality of FRIAs.

I can see a drone academy being a part of an 21st-century community, so I am studying what we need to do to qualify to become a FRIA.

Time to learn

Topics in the Verticals Youth Empowerment program include artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, drones, digital fabrication, coding, media production, design studio, blockchain, and crypto. Courses in the topics are presented alongside fitness and wellness resources. The center director is retired NFL pro-football player William James, who stepped off the gridiron and into a new life arena. William has an amazing base of supporters, collaborators, volunteers, and stakeholders who help make this happen. Very grateful.

Verticals Youth Empowerment Center is designed to stimulate young minds, give parents an inclusive environment in which to socialize, and to offer youth a sense of pride in themselves and their community. There are other facilities in the works.