DJI Announces New Air3S Drone - US Customs Blocks Import
As of October 15th, DJI announced the launch of the new DJI Air3S drone. The newest in the already impressive line of drones, boasts new features like a 1-inch-CMOS camera, omnidirectional obstacle sensing, and more. The excitement of the new product launch has been diminished by US Customs halting new drone imports from DJI.
Key features of the DJI Air 3S include 45 minutes of flight time, 42GB of internal storage, each camera delivers 10-bit color and dynamic range of 14 stops, and upgraded obstacle detection. The drone supports 10-bit video transmission at 1080p/60fps over distances up to 20 kilometers, ensuring a stable live feed for users even during long flights.
The base DJI Air 3S (DJI RC-N3) is priced at $1,099. For those looking for more, DJI offers two Fly More Combos, priced at $1,399 and $1,599, which include additional batteries, a charging hub, and other accessories for extended flying sessions.
The US Customs blockade of the new drone imports from DJI comes in the midst of Counter CCP Drones Act, which is a bill intended to deny foreign imported drones to the US in order to strengthen domestic drone manufacturing capabilities. This move by the US government has been highly criticized by drone service companies, and critical emergency service agencies like local fire departments, police agencies, and search and rescue organizations, who rely on the proven technology. It has been claimed that banning the DJI drone hardware could cost American lives.
The proposed CCP Drones Act has passed the US House of Representatives, and is being sent to the Senate, then President for approval. If the proposed bill passes, operating new drones from Chinese manufactured companies like DJI would be banned within the United States. The proposed ban would not affect DJI drones already in use within the country.
DJI is cited communicating that this is a US Custom's misunderstanding, and not a ban. DJI stated, “This is a customs matter, and the evidence clearly demonstrates DJI’s compliance with existing laws. It is important to note that this is not a ban and does not appear to be linked to the proposed legislation against DJI in the US Congress.”
FlyRoute Drone Photo of the Week
Welcome to the first FlyRoute "Drone Photo of the Week". The DPOTW is a contest spotlighting the incredible skills of our talented drone pilots. Each week, one outstanding aerial shot captured by a FlyRoute pilot will be featured across our social media platforms and website. Whether it's a breathtaking sports moment or a stunning landscape of the stadium environment, we want to showcase the creativity and expertise of our team. The winning photo will be selected based on originality, composition, and overall visual impact. Stay tuned to see the most impressive perspectives from the sky, as we celebrate the art of drone photography!
FlyRoute Pilot Spotlight, Taler Mulleneaux:
Taler: Hello everyone, my name is Taler Mulleneaux, and I am a partial owner of V6D Photography, we specialize in commercial and residential drone photography and virtual walking tours. I am a 40 year old child that is obsessed with everything drone related. Recently, I have helped to develop a new product using FPV drones to film walkthrough tours for real estate listings. I am currently spending most of my free time building FPVs and improving my skills in Acro flight. I have always been a strong believer that if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life...
Q&A:
FlyRoute: With your experience hiring and training new videographers/drone pilots for real estate, what experience do you look for in candidates?
Taler: "The first thing that I look for in candidates that are looking to join our team is drone experience. Being comfortable flying a drone, understanding restricted flight zones, and safely maneuvering around obstacles to offer unique perspectives are things that I cannot teach. The best thing someone can do to join this industry is to fly often and keep safety in the front of their mind."
FlyRoute: What can a new real estate videographer do to quickly enhance their skills?
Taler: "There are two things that a videographer can do to quickly enhance their skills. The first would be to study over the product that successful videographers are producing. I did not have photography experience when I joined this field, but I was able to look at the photos/videos being sold and pick and choose what I liked about their product. The second thing that I would recommend is to research cameras to find proper equipment. With cameras, bigger is not always better. Learn what product you want to provide before you spend a fortune buying expensive photography equipment that you do not need."
FlyRoute: As an experienced FlyRoute pilot, what are a few pointers you can provide to a new FlyRoute pilot looking to capture high quality game film?
Taler: "The best pointer I can give to provide high quality game film is to stay involved with the game and attempt to predict what is going to happen depending on the situation. I have found that I struggle mostly with keeping long pass plays in view, so to improve on this, I do my best to keep an eye on the receivers when they run their routes to see if there is an immediate separation between them and the defender. I have found that by focusing on this, my recordings of these long passes keep everyone in view."
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