Interview: Drones – a different view of the world by David Dostal
I had a talk about this phenomenon of our times with David Dostal, a prominent figure and a man who owns 4 drones of various sizes. They are competition indoor as well as outdoor copters. The maximal speed of his most powerful drone is 150 km/h. It has an amazing acceleration from zero to 100 m in approximately 1.5 second.
David Dostal uses the FPV (First Person View) control system. This kind of control is based on a video signal transmitted from the drone to the pilot’s screen or special googles. The pilot has that luxury feeling that he/she flies the drone from the inside of it. One could say that it is a sort of virtual reality, however, with the difference that it is not virtual but completely real.
Where did you get the idea to own a drone and to fly it?
Towards the end of 2015, I saw a youtube video about competition drones, controlled by the FPV system. I was fascinated so much that I just had to try it. I ordered necessary parts right away and put together my first drone, or as we call it “quadcopter”.
Could you please name 3 things you appreciate about drones?
Freedom
FPV flying is an addiction. Once you start with it, you will never stop. The feeling of moving completely freely in the space is just a breathtaking luxury.
Antipole to ordinary things
On another note, it also beautifully balances everyday business. When I fly, I forget about everything. I enjoy every second in the air. After drone flying, I can always go happily home.
Getting to know new places
Today, I look differently at the landscape than I used to. I look for good flying spots: old abandoned buildings, chimneys, and interesting localities. Sometimes on weekends I go for an all-day trip and visit up to three different flying locations.
Do you have any particular intention with your drones?
Yes, FPV flying and competing with copters. I fly 120km/h, do flips, fly into tree branches, my adrenalin at its maximum, all of that while sitting on the ground. I used to race cars, I enjoy speed.
Can you describe your best experience with this “modern toy”?
I have many positive experiences every day. But what I remember very well is my second FPV flight. I flew way too high above some trees by accident. It was an early summer evening. Suddenly I saw a large hot-air balloon in front of me on the horizon, which I did not see from the ground before. It was then that I realize that flying offers a completely different view of the world and many opportunities.
Do you have a flying license? What do you need for that?
No, I do not. It is my hobby. I do not do it for commercial purposes, so I do not need a license. If you fly commercially, i.e. if you do aerial videos for commercial purposes, you need to obtain a permit from UCL (Civil Aviation Authority). If you want to get this permit, you have to supply your drone’s technical manual, conclude appropriate insurance and a few other things. It will cost you approximately 40,000 CZK.
What was your dream as a child?
It was not flying. As a kid, I wanted to be an interior designer. That was before I discovered the value of freedom is. Since than I do everything necessary to be independent, thus having the freedom to decide and go wherever I want to. This is also reflected in my FPV flying.
