A Colossal Challenge

Photographing Salem’s Oregon Pioneer

- PATRICK SHERMAN

PILOT

Mission Type: Aerial Photography

Location: Oregon State Capitol (N44°56'19” W123°1'50”)

Client: AUVSI Cascade Chapter

Airspace: Class D to 2,700' MSL

Clearance: FAA DroneZone

Monitored frequency: 119.1 (McNary Field Control Tower)

METAR Text: 282056Z 17003KT 10SM 15/09 A3005

Platforms: DJI Mavic Pro, Autel Robotics EVO

Remote pilot in command: Patrick Sherman, Roswell Flight Test Crew

PILOT REPORT

This seemed like a straight-forward mission when it was assigned to me, because it doesn’t get much more simple than aerial photography. No autonomous operations, no specialized payload, no carefully choreographed maneuvers—just four spinning propellers and a visible light camera. Having worked as a professional photographer on the ground for many years before drones were ever a thing, I enjoy the process of setting up a shot, experimenting with composition, lighting and all the rest. This mission, I thought, would be simple and fun.

Not so much, as it turns out. The actual work was enjoyable, but it was a long and circuitous path that finally brought me to it. My client for this operation was the Cascade Chapter of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). One of 35 local AUVSI chapters worldwide, it’s a non-profit organization focused on promoting unmanned systems in Oregon and Washington, and I am a member of its board of directors.