Smaller, cheaper drones make it easier to travel
Camera drones are becoming more and more accessible and you can now get high-quality, high-performance drones that fit in the palm of your hand — making them perfect for travel — for under $500.
But traveling and filming with your camera drone needs preparation. Checking local regulations and airline rules is super important. You have to make sure you have the right kit and insurance. And taking time to prepare and plan your shoot, with contingency plans, will hape make it a succcess.
Here’s everything you need to know to help you plan your next trip and make sure you get some great footage.
Before booking: Make sure you can film
There are several countries in the world where drones are completely banned. It would be a shame to book a trip only to discover that you can’t get the footage you want.
So, if you’re planning on shooting the stunning scenery in places like Egypt, Nicaragua, or Madagascar — you’ll have to take a rain check. North Korea, Syria, and Iran are also drone-free — although probably for different reasons. And if you’re hoping to get spectacular shots of the penguins in Antarctica — forget it.
If you’re looking for a specific type of drone shot and can’t film it yourself, check out the royalty-free footage in the Artlist catalog. There’s a good chance you’ll find something that fits. Here are some examples.
Take care of the red tape
Fortunately, most countries don’t have a complete ban on drones — but many do have rules and regulations about how you use them. Make sure you read up on these before your trip and take care of any government bureaucracy well in advance.
For example, Fiji asks drone operators to get permission for filming before visiting, while Japan asks for drones to be registered at least ten days before arriving in the country.
Read up on local rules and regulations
Every country has its own laws about use of camera drones, but there are a few things that tend to come up everywhere, such as:
- A differentiation between recreational and commercial flights. If you’ve been hired to produce footage, you’ll have more restrictions.
- A height restriction for drones — normally around 300-400ft (120m).
- A ban on night flights
- A restriction on flying over people and crowds
- No-fly zones in areas close to airports, major monuments, and government buildings
- A ban flying under the influence of alcohol or drugs
On top of these come the local laws. Dronemade is a good resource to check the advice per country.
Load up with battery power
Make sure you have enough batteries to last you through the amount of filming time you’re planning for. For multiple shooting days, think about how and when you’ll be able to recharge the batteries — and make sure you have adaptors that will work with local electricity sockets and voltages.
It’s also a good idea to plan how to power your phone throughout the day if you’re using it to sync with or control the drone.
Check safety and carry-on regulations with your airline
It’s always best to keep expensive and delicate camera equipment in your carry-on luggage — so make sure you know the weight and dimension restrictions for your flight to be sure that you’ll be able to take your drone on board without any problems.
Even if you decide to check your drone in the plane’s hold, the batteries will always need to be in your carry-on luggage — and some airlines may have restrictions on voltage levels. Some also ask that battery terminal points are covered to stop them from coming into contact with other metal objects, which can be a fire hazard. You can do this by taping them or putting each battery in a fire-proof bag (also known as a LiPo bag).
Take out insurance
Nothing can ruin a filming trip more than having your drone get damaged — or, in a worst case scenario, stolen. Taking out travel insurance will mean you can travel and film with peace of mind. Often travel policies don’t automatically include expensive equipment so check with your provider to make sure your drone is included.
Shop around but take care to look into the policies beyond the price tag. Some insurance companies are known for being better at paying out than others (check online reviews), and some may also have large deductibles, which you probably want to avoid.
You’ll also want to get drone liability insurance. This will cover you in a disaster scenario if your drone damages a person or their property.
Scout your shooting locations
Once you arrive at your destination, you don’t want to waste a moment of precious time. So make sure to plan your filming — where you want to be and when.
If you’re not familiar with where you’re going, you can reach out to locals for advice on where the best filming locations are and when are the best times to be there — for example to catch the best lighting or to avoid the crowds. Look for groups of camera drone enthusiasts online or even try reaching out to local filmmakers through their websites or social media — people are often happy to help.
Then, tools like Google Street View can help you get a better idea of what to expect in the field. Make sure you know how to get where you want to go — either on public transport or in a car — and plan enough time to do so. The more time you invest in planning before you travel, the more time you’ll have available to get that perfect footage.
Get ready to share
Once you have your footage, you’ll want to share your creation with the world as quickly as possible. So, make sure you have your editing software ready to go.
Of course, you’ll also want to give your shots a dramatic soundtrack. Fortunately, the Artlist catalog is full of songs that will be the perfect accompaniment to your aerial footage. Here are a few of our favorites:
You can check out the full curated collection of music for drone videos right here.
Now you’re good to go
Follow all these steps, and you’ll be well prepared for a successful trip with your camera drone. Safe travels!
*This article’s cover image was inspired by footage from the Volcanic Eruptions of Iceland by Alpha Visuals
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