Camera drone operator Paul Nurkkala just released a video titled “Flight of the Year” that showcases his world-class drone piloting skills. He captured some seemingly impossible footage of his drone flying onto, next to, inside, and under a moving freight train.
Nurkkala specializes in flying camera drones through a first-person point-of-view using a live feed through goggles. His custom-assembled drone was equipped with a GoPro HERO5 Session action camera, which is light enough to keep the craft fast and nimble.
“I recognize that this isn’t the most ‘flowy’ video or anything, but all of the things were all in the same flight, so I wanted to show that off,” Nurkkala writes.
Nurkkala’s video is getting a considerable amount of attention and praise, but it appears to be in violation of both railroad and government policies.
“Union Pacific operates in a safety-sensitive environment,” the Union Pacific Railroad’s drone policy states. “Never operate a drone in a manner that could distract or otherwise endanger yourself, Union Pacific employees, equipment or the public.
“All drone pilots must operate in compliance with applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and safety guidelines. Flying a drone in a reckless manner is a violation of federal law and FAA regulations and could result in civil fines or criminal action”
Source: PetaPixel
Fantastic flying! Unfortunately this stunt violates a number of laws and puts others at risk. The train had tanker cars on it. What would have happened if this flight or another similar attempt causes a train to derail and hazardous chemicals to be spilled as a result. Whose fault would that be, who would be liable for the cost of cleanup.
Amazing flying, I can see the implications of the laws etc. But seriously, please let me know how this could cause any issue to the train?
I see this and all I can think is the terrorist implications! Demonstrates how vulnerable our infrastructure is.
Great skills but idiots like this put the whole drone industry at risk with their reckless behavior to get extreme footage. Perhaps you should play by the rules – as the rest of us have to do – and not give the professionals working out there a bad name while we’re trying to earn a living.