Drone News Roundup: DJI Inspire 3 Cinematic Short, Venice by FPV Drone, and More!

This week we’re covering a short film shot entirely on the new DJI Inspire 3 by world-renowned cinematographer Claudio Miranda.

We’re also covering a cinematic FPV drone tour of Venice, Don Julio’s use of drones to improve its agave farming operations for making tequila, an op-ed from Wing’s CEO about the opportunities presented by the 2023 FAA reauthorization, and a new bill proposed in Congress to authorize more funding for drone testing and research.

Now on to the links!

Cinematic Short Shot Entirely on the New DJI Inspire 3

Aerial shots are great, but can a drone really shoot an entire movie? It sure looks that way. This short film made by Claudio Miranda was shot entirely on the DJI Inspire 3, showing off the capabilities of the brand new cinematic drone. Miranda is one of the best cinematographers working in the world right now—he was a cinematographer on Top Gun: Maverick and Life of Pi. The short is set in a Roman world and tells a full story in just two minutes. Take a look to see all the ways Miranda was able to use the Inspire 3 to tell a visual story.

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Tour of Venice by FPV Drone

This aerial tour of Venice takes you on a fast-paced, up-close ride through the famous watery city, showcasing the beauty of its ancient waterways and plazas. The video is an impressive blend of gorgeous shots and fun FPV flying (check out the dive at 1:41!). The shots appear to have been captured by a homemade FPV rig built by YouTuber Joshua Turner, who made the video.

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Drones and Tequila—Don Julio and Casamigos Use Drone Data for Precision Agriculture

Diageo, the producer of both Don Julio and Casamigos tequilas, has been using drones to improve its agave farming operations in Jalisco, Mexico. Drones collect aerial data about the agave plants, allowing Diageo personnel to make more informed decisions regarding the amount of water and fertilizer the plants need, while also decreasing the use of gas-fueled vehicles in their operations. The drone initiative is part of Diageo’s Society 2030: Spirit of Progress plan, a 10-year action plan aimed at creating “a more inclusive and sustainable world.” A key focus of the plan is to reduce water use by 40% in water-stressed areas by 2030—a reduction drone data is helping achieve by allowing Diageo to be much more precise in when and where it uses water in its agave farming.

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Wing’s CEO Writes Op Ed about 2023 FAA Reauthorization

Credit: Wing

Every few years Congress reauthorizes the FAA, allowing lawmakers to introduce new points of focus for the agency. The last reauthorization was in 2018 and included a major shakeup for recreational flyers, resulting in the rollout of the TRUST. 2023 is another reauthorization year, and Wing’s CEO Adam Woodworth has some thoughts about what it should include. In an op ed he wrote for Aviation Week, Woodworth calls on Congress to “come together on a truly bipartisan effort to make sure America leads the way forward in the global drone industry.” Read the full letter linked below see what Woodworth proposes.

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New Bill Proposes Further Investment in Drone R&D and Testing

Credit: Skydio

A new bipartisan bill created by U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and John Hoeven (R-ND) would authorize more funding for drone research at UAS test sites. The funds will be used for both R&D and testing, and includes funding for research grants through the FAA. Key focus areas for research include BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) operations, drone swarm operations (i.e., having one pilot fly multiple drones at the same time), and UTM (unmanned traffic management).

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