Frequently Asked Questions

Flying a drone in New York City has become more accessible and legally feasible, as outlined in the article "NYC Skies Unlocked: Drone Film Permits with Flying Monster" on your blog. As of September 2023, a new process for applying for a New York City Drone Permit has been established, making aerial filming with drones in NYC legal. With Flying Monster's status as approved NYPD vendors, the permit process is expedited to just 14 days, compared to the usual 30 days notice required for most drone permits in the city. This development marks a significant turning point for NYC's drone community, offering more possibilities for aerial cinematography in the city. 

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We operate a variety of drones to suit different project needs, including heavy-lift drones for large camera setups, cinema drones like the DJI Inspire 3, FPV (First Person View) drones for fast and dynamic shots. We have a large fleet of drones, each with their own benefits depending on your project.

Flying Monster will manage all aspects of drone-related permitting for your production, including coordination with the FAA and local law enforcement. This includes obtaining waivers for flights near airports, which are often required for locations within five miles of an airstrip. While we can't guarantee waiver approval, our strong relationships with regulatory bodies significantly aid in the process. Additionally, we'll take care of drone registrations, complete necessary questionnaires, and conduct thorough risk assessments, ensuring all aspects of FAA Airspace Waiver requirements are meticulously handled.

Your pilot in command will always make the final call on safe operations. Precision shots require calm weather for optimal results. For broad aerials, we adhere to specific guidelines: heavy-lift drones won't fly in winds over 20mph, the Inspire 3 in winds over 25mph, and FPV drones in winds exceeding 30mph. Ultimately, ensuring safety is our top concern, and the decision to fly under various conditions rests with the experienced judgment of our pilots.

Our drones are limited to operations within our line of sight, as per FAA regulations. They should not fly beyond this range for more than a brief moment. To enhance safety and operational efficiency, we assign a Visual Observer (VO) to every flight. The VO's role is crucial in assisting the pilot by monitoring for any potential obstructions, other aircraft, or hazards that could impact the flight's safety.

While some of our drones are capable of flying in rain, the primary concern lies with camera and lens protection, as they are not waterproof. The drone's propellers tend to force water droplets onto the camera, which can become visible in your footage. We can manage light drizzle by cleaning the camera and lens after each flight. However, moderate to heavy rain typically leads to a pause in operations until conditions improve. Above all, we prioritize safety, and the decision to fly under these conditions is at the discretion of our experienced pilots.

 FAA's Part 107 regulations do not apply to drone operations conducted indoors. These rules and guidelines are specifically designed for outdoor operations within the National Airspace System (NAS). Indoor drone flights are exempt from these regulations.

Heavy Lift

In most cases, a 90-minute pre-call is requested when production provides the camera and lenses. During this time, our crew is building the camera package, assembling the aircraft, and touching base with the AD's, locations, grip and electric, etc.

Inspire Series

Our light cinema drone quickly assembles and is ideal for run and gun productions. We request a 60-minute pre-call to work with the departments while the drone typically takes 30 minutes to be prepped for flight.

FPV

About 30 minutes is requested before we can fly, however this does not include the neccessary creative conversations.

The FAA restricts our drones from flying over individuals not part of the drone crew. To capture an "overhead shot," our pilot and operator will often propose alternative flight plans that align with your creative vision without directly flying overhead. Announcing this rule during the initial on-set safety meeting is crucial to ensure proper positioning of crew and actors, maintaining safety and compliance.

For drone takeoff and landing, we implement strict safety protocols. Each landing zone is marked with an orange pad and communicated to the crew during the safety meeting. Only the drone crew is permitted near the aircraft during these times. 

The landing zone for our heavy lift package requires approximately a 30ft radius, while the Inspire 3 package needs around a 20ft radius. In cases where a suitable landing zone isn't available, our crew is trained to perform a drone catch to ensure the aircraft's safe landing.

Heavy Cinema

Our Heavy Cinema drone, equipped with the Freefly Movi Pro gimbal, can carry cameras up to 6 lbs. We commonly use the Arri Alexa Mini LF, Sony Venice 2, or Red Helium 8K. These cameras typically fly light weight (under 5lb) spherical lenses.

Inspire Series

The DJI Inspire 3, our Light Cinema Drone, offers the DJI X9 Camera, with a Ful-Frame sensor for up to 8K raw codec. It's dual native ISO (800/4000) makes a versitile choice in all lighting conditions, even at night.

FPV

Our large FPV drones fly a Red Komodo cinema camera, combined with our wide range of spherical lenses. This camera records an amazing 6K global shutter. Our smaller GoPro FPV drones will have the latest camera offered.

Stills/Photo

We can fly up to 150MP Phase One IQ4 camera for extremely sharp images that have world record detail.

For a drone crew to operate efficiently, production typically needs to provide a few key pieces of support equipment. This includes a generator for charging batteries throughout the day. Additionally, a Teamster may be required to transport the equipment van from our shop to the set. Essential too are the location permits necessary for the shoot. Lastly, a walkie-talkie for seamless communication is crucial. That's all we need to ensure smooth operations for your drone filming needs!

Absolutely. Our drone operators are fully certified FAA Part 107 Commercial Operators and experienced in the motion picture industry. A copy of your pilot's license will be included in the Drone POA (Plan of Action) document as well as safety questionaire.

Our rates vary based on the project scope, equipment used, and filming duration. We can provide a detailed quote based on your specific needs. Please request a quote or call us to tell us more about your project and we will get you a price.

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Absolutely. We have a track record of working with a range of productions, from independent films to major blockbuster movies.

In the rare event of equipment failure, we have backup drones and cameras to minimize downtime and ensure the shoot continues smoothly.

Yes, we can conduct night operations, provided we adhere to all regulatory guidelines and have the necessary clearances.

We recommend booking as early as possible, especially for complex shoots, but we can often accommodate last-minute requests depending on our schedule.

Absolutely. We offer real-time video feeds, allowing directors and cinematographers to view the footage as it's being captured. Our drone camera operator role acts as the head coach for the drone unit and the pilot acts the quarterback.