12/15/2024
We are getting a lot of questions about the drone issue going on around New Jersey. The reports are describing drones that look and operate very differently from the DJI M30T we use. When we are flying a recovery operation, we typically operate at 250-400 feet with green and red lights and a flashing beacon during hours of darkness. Most of our searches are for lost animals and are over wooded areas or fields. We also use our drone for search and rescue operations with local fire departments and law enforcement agencies.
Our drones are equipped with remote ID modules that broadcast the aircraft location as well as the controller location, as required by the FAA.
Because we use thermal cameras, we typically fly during the hours of darkness or during overcast conditions. We maintain a visual line of sight with our aircraft during our missions. At night, when our thermal camera detects a heat signature that may be the missing animal, we activate a spotlight to visually identify it. We then mark the location and notify the owner.
How can you tell it's us or another operator like us? We operate over wooded areas and fields typically searching in a grid pattern. If we identify a signature, we may orbit around it to get the best view through the tree canopy. You may see a spotlight turn on and off temporarily. We operate at slow speeds and use deliberate and controlled turns when maneuvering. We are aloft for typically 25-30 minutes before we return to the launch point for new batteries. Our launch point is well lit with a landing pad and landing lights, typically in a nearby field.
The DJI M30T body is about the size of a shoebox. It is a four bladed drone with red lights on the front arms and green on the rear. At night a white strobe on the top is activated and a spotlight mounted on the top . The arms extend from the body's four corners about 12". The M30T motors emit a low humming sound that can be heard on quieter evenings.
Please keep in mind that drones like this are very expensive and are used exclusively by commercial drone pilots. If you see one of these, there's likely a professional FAA licensed operator nearby helping someone.
