WHAT IS A UAV or sUAS?

• Refers to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle or Small Unmanned Aerial System (more commonly drone, an aircraft weighing less than 55 lbs. on takeoff including everything on board or attached to the aircraft) that is controlled remotely in our national airspace system.

WHAT IS A R.P.I.C.?

• Establishes a Remote Pilot In Command position.
• A person who holds a Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating and has the final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety of a small unmanned aircraft operation conducted under part 107.
• The remote PIC must have, in that person’s physical possession and readily accessible, this certificate and personal identification during flight operations.

We’re coming in from a foreign country and I want our own R.P.I.C. to operate in Hawaii.

Firstly, aloha and welcome to Hawaii U.S.A.! However…

• Until international standards are developed, foreign-certificated UAS pilots will be required to obtain an FAA-issued remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating.
• A person who does not hold a Remote Pilot Certificate or a remote pilot who has not met the recurrent training requirements of part 107 may operate the small UAS under part 107, as long as he or she is directly supervised by a remote PIC and the remote PIC has the ability to take immediate, direct control of the small UAS (§ 107.19). Not all is lost, one of our FAA certified pilots can help you meet this FAA requirement by being present at all times when your own pilot intends to and conducts a flight. Let us assist you and your pilot. “CONTACT US”

WHAT IS A V.O. AND ARE THEY REQUIRED?

• Visual Observer (V0) A person the remote PIC designates as a crewmember who assists the small unmanned aircraft remote PIC and the person manipulating the controls to see and avoid other air traffic or objects aloft or on the ground (part 107, § 107.3).
• In order to satisfy the State of Hawaii Film Office, along with its associated departments, in obtaining a permit to operate the use of a V.O. is highly encouraged.
• Furthermore, while not required by the FAA the P.I.C. (Pilot In Command) may insist on the need for a V.O. especially where location conditions could prove difficult, pose collision hazards, and/or be hazardous to ground personnel and/or property.

What about safety? I’d love to book you guys for my event but I’m worried about all those rotor blades around people.

• Safety is our paramount concern at HI-vantage. We will not fly directly over dense crowds or in inclement weather (heavy precipitation, high winds, etc). Highly encouraged, by the State of Hawaii as well as City & County of Honolulu permitting offices, we utilize a Visual Observer to provide an additional line of sight (in concert with the pilot) and a level of on-site safety. Our pilots posses the required FAA license and are seasoned, ethical, and reliable operators with experience on an array of equipment. On occasion we have mounted prop-guards to ensure an additional level of protection to participants involved with our closed-set operations.
• HI-vantage pilots have created some safe yet incredible, innovative shots, from flying boats over open ocean, resort properties, through jungle canopy following cars, to tight interiors of churches. Click to download our FREE Commercial Drone Guide.

HOW FAR CAN YOU FLY?

• The UAS must remain within the Pilot in Command's VLOS (visual line of sight) at all times.
• The FAA restricts the flight ceiling at 400' (or 120 meters) A.G.L. (Above Ground Level) or M.S.L. (Mean Sea Level).
• Maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground level (AGL) or, if higher than 400 feet AGL, remain within 400-foot radius of a structure and does not fly higher than 400 feet above the structure’s immediate uppermost limit. This could refer to a building, tower, hill or mountain as long as said structures are not within restricted airspace.

HOW LONG CAN YOU FLY?

• Approx. 25 minutes for the Inspire 2 and about 27~30 minutes for the Phantom 4 PRO (depending on wind conditions).
• DJI’s own Intelligent Flight Batteries enables HI-vantage to check on the battery’s health often. We maintain a log on each battery’s usage and condition. A typical battery change only takes about a half minute and we always bring multiple batteries to each shoot and recharge during flights (we provide a 1000W generator for remote locations for battery charging).
• For the Inspire 2 package, HI-vantage brings along DJI’s Battery Station, a powerful unit that can charge up to 8 Inspire 2 batteries simultaneously! Thus ensuring nearly an all-day’s worth of aerial capture.

ARE YOU INSURED?

• Yes, we are insured (up to $2 million aerial liability) by one of the few leaders in the industry who specialize in covering UAS for liability and damage. We provide you, and the filming location, with Certificates Of Insurance. We are also insured with a standard photography/videography ground production insurance policy AND our crew is covered by State required workers compensation policy. If you decide to book HI-vantage, we will be happy to provide you with documentation.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU PROVIDE ASIDE FROM THE DRONES AND INSURANCE?

• We realize how important your vision is to you. Our goal at HI-vantage is to make sure your flight plan of activity is worked out, the location is assessed, and identify potential collision hazards and liabilities (preferably in-person with you) prior to filming. Based on the location and your vision, we can assist in the permitting process by creating your flight plan and provide the FAA the required NOTAM (Notice To AirMen) within 72 hours prior to scheduled filming. Finally, we will provide an estimate, of proposed operation indicating costs, any options, as well as outline cancellation policies and any additional fees.

CAN YOU FLY A UAS TO SHOOT STORIES OR COVER BREAKING NEWS?

• Absolutely! Media organizations may hire HI-vantage to cover breaking news, sports & corporate events, live inspection of property for sale and livestream it!
• Broadcast Mode allow video to be streamed from the Inspire 2 in broadcast standard 720p60 or 1080i50. Footage can be sent live on-air without signal conversion.
• If LIVE is what you’re all about then CONTACT US

WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED AND WHAT AREAS DO YOU SERVICE?

• We are located in Honolulu on the island of Oʻahu and service all of the neighboring islands AND beyond. That being said, we LOVE to travel! If you want to get us on a project that requires a a long drive or plane then all we ask is that you pay travel, a rental vehicle, and lodging expenses. We air-travel fairly simply with, usually, two to four hard cases all under 50lbs. each.

I’M IN, WHAT’S NEXT?

• Fill out our contact form and we'll get back to you ASAP.