Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Product sources Aerial Photography ?'s

TJ, let me offer some insight from a pilot's perspective.

First, the others are right on that most pilots would likely be willing to take some shots for you if they were going to be flying in the area, especially those flying out of smaller airports who are just flying for fun.

Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) strictly limit the commercial use of an aircraft in for-profit operations such as aerial photography, so you may run into an issue if payment is involved if the pilot does have a commercial pilot certificate. My point is that some may say they won't/can't accept payment and, therefore, may not be willing. Others may be willing, so it's just hit and miss. While still a violation of the FARs, something as small as accepting a courtesy payment for taking a pic while already flying for one's own purposes is something that many pilots would likely not give a second thought to doing.

If you go with a professional outfit, expect to pay a fair amount. Most of them factor in the hourly operating cost of their plane which, depending on what they fly, can range as high as a few hundred dollars per hour. Unless they are distributing that cost amongst several clients, you may take the full brunt of their expenses in your single photo mission, so you would definitely want to be clear about that.

Another interesting possibility is to find out if any aerial mapping is being done in your area. Most of the planes that do that work are using higher end equipment that takes good high-res photos and since they are already producing that work for other clients, may be willing to give you shots of your place - assuming your place was covered on one of their runs - at a reduced rate. Examples of this type of operation are timber cruises, 911 mapping, riverbed erosion mapping, large scale land development projects, and the like. Don't know if any of that sort of stuff would be going on around your land, but it's a starting point.

Just a few thoughts to chew on. Good luck. If I lived closer, I'd be glad to do that for ya, but I don't make it to Nebraska all that often!

Hey TJ. Around here where my biz is (Atlanta), there are pilots that take photos of places of biz and then peddle them to the biz or building owner. It is my guess the same occurs around you. I would nose around the airport(s) where small aircraft are housed, and somebody may know who does it.

Also did you get a log splitter? If so what did you get? To me it sounded like a perfectly good reason (excuse)to get a tractor.

Wow, thanks for the tips Todd! If you ever get lost or blown off course make sure to have your photography equipment handy - I'd be much obliged!!!

TJ:

When the weather turns warmer in the Spring, and you want a hand with some seining, I cold be convinced very easily to take the drive. If you have some of those logs handy I'll show you how I split them on my 4.5t splitter.

FWIW, the latest satellite images that I can find of my place are May 2005.

I could use some hints on how to get the most out of my Ryobi. I wonder if it could be weakening with age?

I've heard about problems like that. Fortunately, my fähnstücker seems to be holding up just fine.

Around here, closer to the corn in the collar counties of Chicago, powered parachutes are kinda popular. A couple of times a year, one of the regional chapters will host a fly-in and invite interested wanna-be's to attend. They offer low cost flights to share in the thrill and set the hook. Bring along the good camera and work a deal.
I did a quick google and could only come up with this Nebraska connection:
K.Y.T. Flying Club, Inc.
532 238th Street
Milford, NE 68405
Name: Tom Troyer or Sean Cramer
Phone: 402-761-2320
Email: tom.troyer@plantpioneer.com

TJ, a great resource for finding airports is http://www.airnav.com. Check it out and you'll find every paved and grass strip near your location. then, it's just a matter of checking around.

Thanks Todd...man this forum is full of aerial photography experts. Unbelievable.

TJ if your up to a fun hobby, try RC aircraft, they have miniature video-still cameras that can be attached and you can take all the video and stills you want.
I'm putting floats and a camera on my super tiger 60 next year and try to get some photo's.
http://cgi.ebay.com/RC-Airplane-Helicopt...=item4cec07e3f8

That's pretty cool adiron. Might have to look into that a little further.

TJ, I asked my buddy and he didn't have a whole lot of information for me. Guess he doesn't fly very often anymore. He did give me a name of a reputable company in Lincoln though. Prange Aerial Photography. I checked them out online and they look impressive, though potentially expensive as well.