Cowles Mountain San Diego
Cowles Mountain is the highest point in the City of San Diego and one of the most popular hiking trails.
San Diego Aerial Photography – Cowles Mountain hiking trails
Phantom 2 Vision Plus is used to produce this aerial video.
This mountain is named after George A. Cowles, an early ranching pioneer in San Diego County. Its 1,593-foot summit is the highest point in the city of San Diego. The main trail to the summit is a popular hiking destination taking hundreds of people per day to a 360-degree panorama of San Diego County. The hike to the top is 1.5 miles long and an elevation change of about 950 feet .
This quadcopter helicopter uses GPS to make operating it very easy. They call this “Your flying Camera”. It takes great HD video as well as still photos. Plus, you can change the angle of the camera in flight, as well as go from video to stills, also while in flight.
You can use an I-phone or I-pod to see what the camera is filming and to set up the perfect shot.
In the GPS mode it will hover in one position without any operator input. Also if the control signal is lost it can automatically return to it’s take-off position & land itself!
This is used not only for action sports but in real estate marketing by providing a great aerial viewpoint.
*NOTE — A major real estate brokerage firm just came out with an opinion that real estate agent should hold off using aerial drone footage in marketing their properties until the FAA issues final regulations on drone usage.
These new regulations are supposed to be out in about a year. Meanwhile, aerial drone photography for personal or hobby use is okay. Supposedly the FAA issuing these rules to promote safety. But, why is there no regulation for personal use? Is personal use of aerial drones somehow safer than commercial use?
The vast majority of aerial drones that have been used way under 5 pounds and four real estate videos would rarely ever get above 100 feet or so. Yet, until I retired from hang gliding a couple years ago, when I was strapped into the glider and had all my gear on, I would have to say the total weight was about 360 pounds. And yet the FAA does not regulate hang gliding!
I hope that the FAA new regulations will make some common sense and not just be a way for government to raise money or tax individuals for using these models.
*** Until the FAA issues final regulations on drone usage, the commercial use of them is in question. So, it’s best to just use them just for your personal hobby interests. We are NOT offering any aerial photography services at this time.
