That’s what Todd Sheridan and Ken Barney team up to do with their remote control aircraft and unique camera mounted system.
They strap a $300 high definition GoPro camera onto the nose of a $700 lightweight remote control plane. And within a few moments the unmanned aircraft skims just a few feet above the tallest peak in the Wasatch, sending live images of the snow covered peak back into Sheridan’s remote viewing goggles.
With new technology, these guys get to explore even the highest peaks and most remote slot canyons from the parking lot. But the state of Utah and the federal government still are not sure they want them there.
It’s becoming less of a secret to the world that Utah has some of the most majestic scenery. The images captured by amateurs with just a $300 HD video camera and $700 remote control hobby aircraft are getting the word out on YouTube.
Sheridan and Barney use mere hobby-grade tech to capture HD video from some of Utah’s most exquisite expanses. They have covered much of the state, except for the spots tourists want to see most in Utah’s state and national parks. Permits to shoot there are out of reach for most amateur RC pilots.
The Utah Office of Tourism and Film is just now in the process of addressing how the RC hobbyists will get permits to shoot on state and national park land.
“We’re just trying to get in so we can put this together and see what applications will really help Utah and the tourist industry,” said Barney.
Von Der Esch met with the Forest Service, National Park Service and the BLM to discuss the issue. She says no one really knows how to deal with it yet, but Utah is on the cutting edge of how to use, or restrict, this new technology. Fox13
