The DJI Air 3 is a popular and favorite drone for many in the hobby. It is known to be great for beginners, enthusiasts, veterans, and even professionals looking for a budget-friendly commercial drone for clients. Taking a page from the original 2016 Mavic Pro, the Mini 3 Pro was released 6 years later, in 2022, with vertical shooting. This was especially loved by those using social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. The DJI Air 3 likewise has vertical shooting, but it might not be exactly what you are expecting. This article and video will discuss what vertical mode actually is on the DJI Air 3, as well as serve as step-by-step guides showing how to enable and use Vertical Mode. What is Vertical Shooting Vertical shooting, or shooting in portrait mode, is turning a camera tall-wise, instead of length-wise, for a shot. For most landscape photographers, shooting images in horizontal orientation, otherwise known as landscape mode, is most common. Generall...

CA-based WhiteFox Defense  was deployed to protect the 78th United Nations General Assembly, held in September.  Counter drone technology is now playing and important part in security operations worldwide. Continue reading below, or listen : “Drones have increasingly been used in conflicts such as the one in Ukraine, highlighting the urgent need for effective counter-drone measures in high-profile events like the UN General Assembly,” said the WhiteFox announcement.  Counter drone technology systems like WhiteFox’s STRATUS system provide drone detection and tracking technologies that allow security personnel to locate unauthorized and potentially threatening drones in the airspace. WhiteFox’s cloud-based system was integrated into the security architecture of the event. “Ensuring the safety of world leaders and participants at the United Nations General Assembly is a top priority, and we are proud to have provided cutting-edge counter-drone technology to enhance security ...

This article published in collaboration with JUIDA , the Japan UAS Industrial Development Association. Continue reading below, or listen : In Japan, a shrinking rural population and dramatic landcape means that some villages may be difficult to reach in the case of a disaster.  NEXT DELIVERY has successfully conducted a 2 day demonstration of drone delivery for disaster response, bringing supplies to Kawanemoto Town, Shizuoka Prefecture. Kawanemoto Town has a total population of 6,014 (as of July 2023) and is located in the central part of Shizuoka Prefecture.  The towns natural geography contributes to transportation challenges in the region.  The town area is long and narrow: about 23 km from east to west and about 40 km from north to south along the Oigawa River, with an area of 496.72 km² (6.4% of the prefecture’s total).   90% of the region is forested. With some villages far from the town center, an aging population, and few roads, government agencies are conce...

Unlocking the Benefits of Drones in Roof Inspections Need a New Roof? Roof inspections have traditionally been a labor-intensive and potentially risky endeavor, requiring professionals to climb ladders, scale roofs, and assess potential damage. However, thanks to the technological advancements in recent years, drones are revolutionizing this industry. The use of drones for roof inspections offers a wide array of benefits, including improved safety, cost-efficiency, and accuracy. In this article, we will explore these advantages and shed light on how drones are transforming the way we inspect and maintain our rooftops. Cost-Efficiency Traditional roof inspections can be costly, with expenses associated with labor, equipment, and sometimes the need to rent specialized access equipment such as scaffolding or cherry pickers. Drones offer a more cost-effective alternative. The initial investment in a drone and the necessary training is far lower than the expenses associated with tradi...

Drone cameras help us ascend into the sky and experience new vantage points we could never achieve on our own two feet. Have you ever stopped and wondered how the technology behind these cameras works? Drone cameras feature image and video stabilization and high-res sensors. They work with other sensors like gyroscopes and accelerometers to keep the drone stable when filming and photographing. You can use your remote controller or smartphone to control the drone, adjusting the focus, zoom, angle, and other parameters. It’s fascinating stuff! This guide to drone camera technology will paint a detailed picture of how these cameras work, including all the nuances such as video bitrate and ND filters. How does a drone camera work? Drone cameras consist of many components, so let’s identify them first and then discuss how they work in tandem. Gimbal A drone gimbal provides support to the camera. When your drone ascends and glides through the sky, the gimbal lets the camera stay at a...

Thanks for reading this article on my favorite drone: the Autel Evo Lite Plus or the DJI Air 3. This year, DJI has continually churned out drone after drone, resulting in the Mini 4 Pro, Air 3, and Mavic 3 Pro. Autel, on the other hand, has taken a more restrained approach when producing and releasing their drones. Having flown the Autel Evo Lite Plus for a little over a year and the Air 3 a short time after its release, I have used both of them commercially and recreationally. In this article, I’ll examine the key differences between the Autel Evo Lite Plus and the DJI Air 3, the upgrades in the DJI Air 3, my overall experience with each, and why I consider the DJI Air 3 my favorite drone of the two. If you are looking for a great all-around drone that can be used both professionally and recreationally, this article should help you decide. Brief Overview Autel Evo Lite Plus The Autel Evo Lite Plus was released in January 2022 and competed with the 2021 DJI Air 2S. Now, it...

Archer Achieves Key Flight Test Program Milestone As Midnight Takes Flight It’s been a big year for Arche r Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR), a major player in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft: and today, the company announced that its flight test program has hit a key milestone. Building on four years of flight testing which began in 2019, including two years of full-scale flight testing of Archer’s Maker aircraft, “Midnight’s flight envelope is on track to rapidly advance from hover to full wing-borne flight over the coming months helping pave the way to begin “for credit” testing with the FAA next year,” says the company. “This next phase of Archer’s flight test program is only possible because of the four years of flight testing we’ve done. Midnight is building on the successes of its predecessor aircraft and represents another significant step forward in Archer’s path to commercialization,” said Archer’s founder and CEO Adam Goldstein. “The next year and a half wi...

Thanks for reading this article on which drone is better: the Autel Evo Lite Plus or the DJI Mavic 3 Pro. While DJI has been releasing prosumer and advanced-level drones at a blazing speed this past year to year and a half, Autel has taken a slower approach to drone releases, with a fair bit of time between major releases. I primarily fly drones for business purposes. So my main focus oftentimes is “what drones work best for my client’s needs.” With this view in mind, I have used the Autel Evo Lite+ for a little over a year and the Mavic 3 Pro for a few months. In this article, I’ll examine the key differences between the Autel Evo Lite Plus and the Mavic 3 Pro, the upgrades in the all-new Mavic 3 Pro, my overall experience with each, and why I consider the Mavic 3 Pro to be the better commercial drone. If you are looking to expand your professional fleet, this article will help you decide which drone is best for you and your clients. Brief Overview Autel Evo Lite Plus As ...