Drone Workshop – “Have A Go, Your First Flight”

Have you probably seen a drone in flight, or seen images taken from a drone and thought “I would like to be able to do that”.  This is an opportunity to do just that.  To learn more about drones, drone rules, and how to go about getting your own drone.

Drone flying is great fun and can become addictive.  With a bit of practice, the resulting opportunities will quickly provide result.  They become a great addition to your photographic images.

During the workshop YOU will safely fly a drone by yourself
under my supervision

Workshop Details:

This workshop is for people who have either never flown a drone also called a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) or have only flown a small number of times.  Generally, you either don’t own a drone or you have recently purchased your own drone.

There is no requirement to own a drone as a DJI drone is provided.  Indeed, it is the ideal opportunity to have a go at flying for yourself thereby discovering if it is for you before purchasing your own equipment.

Purchasing a drone is now much more affordable than it was a few years ago, and it is now possible to purchase a reasonable quality drone for a few hundred pounds.  I offer impartial advice.

The workshop lasts approximately two and a half to three hours.  I do not clock watch and often the workshop lasts longer.

My workshops are run with either one or two participants.

This gives plenty of opportunities to watch and to learn from me.

You will fly the drone several times with me beside you (this allows the opportunity for the controller to be handed to me so that I can take over if needed)

Topics Covered Include:

• Drone safety
• Different types of drone, along with the difference in what you can do with drones of different weights.
• Rules, regulations, drone law etc. Including both "must do" and "recommended to do" if you go on to purchase your own drone.
• Where you can fly your drone (and where you cannot fly)
• What to do if you are flying and somebody comes along and says "you cannot fly here".
• Setting up the drone including the camera, return to home, height limits, warnings, etc.
• The wind and weather and the impact these have on safe drone flying.
• Using an App on your mobile phone to fly or the use of a dedicated controller.
• What the various buttons, joysticks, and controls “actually do”.
• Safe take off, flying, and landing.
• Drone Photography
• What to do if things go wrong - including loss of connection, windy conditions.
• Unexpected occurrences during your flight. For example what to do during sudden unexpected arrival of potential hazards (such as an air ambulance or similar).
• Advice on next steps e.g. purchasing your own drone, insurance, etc.

Your Own Drone Images

As part of this workshop. you will get the opportunity to use the built in camera on my drone.  The resulting images can be sent to participants after the workshop using online file sharing such as “we transfer” or “Dropbox”.

Alternatively, participants can bring along their own mini SD card which they can be used to take images during the flight and then take their card home.

The amount of actual drone flying, and photography varies each time, but you will have the opportunity to capture several images on several flights.

Other Information

During the workshop, I always allow plenty of time for questions, discussions, etc.

I live in Leicestershire, close to the small regional airport of Little Stretton and as such my house is located in the airport no fly zone thus not allowing me to run workshops from home...

Workshop Price and Dates

£90 for one participant, £70 each for two participants.

There is an additional charge of 25p per mile if my travel distance is greater than 25 miles to a workshop location.   (I am in the LE2 postcode area.)

If there is more than two people, please feel free to contact me as we can discuss a bespoke workshop for your group.  For example, I have previously run full day workshops for groups with bigger numbers and / or different participants arriving at different times. 

It is always preferable to agree on a couple of dates.

Then shortly before the workshop a "go ahead decision" can be made when looking at the weather.

About me:

I have been flying a drone for several years and have completed in excess of 1500 flights in several countries.  I am registered pilot of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and hold qualifications with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and am fully insured.

I am a semi professional photographer based in the East Midlands and have several years’ experience both guiding and running my own workshops along with commercial guiding for photographic and travel companies.

My achievements include an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society (ARPS), have also won many photography awards.  Several of my images have been published in books and magazines and books, including single images, articles, gear reviews, and features.

Other Drone Services and Opportunities

As well as this workshop, I also offer other drone items, please get in touch if you would like to discuss any of the following:

• If you would me to capture some drone images of yourself for your portfolio
• Drone images of houses, cars, boats, etc. etc.
• Drone Photographic workshop
• Drone talk for camera clubs, and other groups

References:

Below is a couple of comments by previous participants who attended one of my drone workshops:

I really enjoyed my afternoon drone session with Nigel.  It was run at a relaxed pace, yet it was informative.  He has good knowledge of drones and associated items, and it kick started my own knowledge on drones, drone rules, drone photography etc.  As a result, I am looking to get myself a drone soon.  Highly recommended.  Nigel Morgan, Northamptonshire.

Wow, what great day I had flying a drone for the first time.
A big Thank you Nigel for the lesson, it was good to have you there to teach, advise, and keep a watchful eye over everything.   I definitely would not have felt as confident had I been on my own, which meant that I learnt a huge amount.
Once Again, Many Thanks, Paul, Gloucestershire

Next Steps, and to book your workshop

Please Contact me if you have any further questions, or to book a drone workshop.

There is a 50% deposit payable once dates have been agreed. 

Unfortunately, the deposit is only refundable if the workshop has to be cancelled due to weather and an alternative date cannot be found.

I also run several other photographic workshops, subjects include Fungi. Snowdrop, and Red Deer photography.  Along with image processing which can be achieved either in person or online via zoom or similar.

Many Thanks, Nigel