Happy Flyers on tour Part 1 - Millau Viaduct FPV with nasty surprise

MatthiasC · May 31, 2015, 10:35:32 PM

A while ago we went for a longer FPV trip in Europe.
First planned stage: Millau Viaduct, France

The Millau Viaduct is the highest Bridge in the world! Absolutely impressive and beautiful construction... Check out those breathtaking shots!

But that trip also had some nasty surprises for us ;)

https://youtu.be/_Qk90yX-k0Y

Coyote · May 31, 2015, 11:49:58 PM

Sorry, thumbs down for this one. Some pretty stupid and irresponsible flying from you all there.

BlueFlyer · June 01, 2015, 12:29:36 AM

I'm not naive enough to think that this kind of thing doesn't happen anymore, but to post it up on YouTube and then post it here for the "approval" of fellow FPVers?

I won't apologise for my opinions on this, not big and not clever.

At first I thought, "ooh, it would be nice to fly around there with the viaduct in the background..." but the moment you flew above the level of the roadway you are putting people in danger.

It's not about the damage a foam wing would do to a moving vehicle... it's about what it would/could make the driver of a 1 tonne plus vehicle do when he/she sees it flying so close, or even hit the vehicle. Think of the accident you could cause.

I'm with Coyote... thumbs down

BlueFlyer · June 01, 2015, 12:30:35 AM

Just to add... it's videos like this... available to the public... that can be used against our hobby.

electrotor · June 01, 2015, 12:56:04 AM

In no particular order :
irresponsible
endangering
distracting
stupid
deserved to get busted
think before you fly guys

Flyboysee · June 01, 2015, 01:04:10 AM

I haven't seen Trappy style flying for quite a while now... So what did the Gendarmerie do? Share a cell with Bubba?

Billy_boy_2010 · June 01, 2015, 01:11:21 AM

Flying *far* above it, and very close below it, was quite cool. But flying super close just above it- :o I know you know what you're doing- but I'm surprised you got the planes and footage back.

Also- may I ask why you still use Zephyrs when your wipeouts supposedly offer just as stable flying experiences as bigger zephyr style wings? ;) I couldn't help but notice the footage was a bit wobbly at times- was that with the Zephs or Wipeouts ;) although it must be windy when your so high up and feet away from a bridge :S

BigT · June 01, 2015, 10:27:53 AM

For your info FPV is banned in France, get caught and they throw the book at you. Here is a good reference site
https://www.pylo.co/news/265/list-laws-and-regulations-about-fpv-and-rc-aircraft-various-countries

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

iPeel · June 01, 2015, 10:43:11 AM

It's probably not worth trying to communicate with them. They come here every now and then to tout their FPV videos and planes and rarely return to read comments or contribute in any way to the community.

MatthiasC · June 01, 2015, 12:19:09 PM

Hi there

Im sorry to hear that. Spacially that you think we do not read comments here or correspond to the community.

Guys its absolutely clear some of you think that was risky or too dangerous flying like that and "there". But please be sure we made anything possible to keep this as safe as possible.

If you noticed we flyed at the same altitude and with the same direction as traffic so if there is a failsafe, wing goes down.

As well we waited for several hours so the traffic on the Bridge was the lowest level of the day.

Also the spotter with the 200x zoom camera made sure no car was comming when we downrided the Bridge.

Please know, that this was a big dream of us since a while we made come true and the trip was well planed.

Of course the arrest was not planned... But the cops let us go without penalty also because they thinked it wasn't that critical.

Hope you more can understand and enjoy it now.

Regards

skyscraper · June 01, 2015, 01:09:10 PM

Flying close to and through Bridge wires is well planned? :laugh: .. Minimal skill required here but Unfortunately shows a Total disregard for anyone driving on the bridge. You can easy find places to do this sort of stuff where you arent going to piss people off.. so why didnt you do that? This stupidity is what gives FPV a bad name. I would suggest take your video down off Youtube ASAP

regards
Andy

electrotor · June 01, 2015, 01:09:59 PM

Some lovely shots and I am sure it was great fun to fly but.....

Quote from: MatthiasC on June 01, 2015, 12:19:09 PM
If you noticed we flyed at the same altitude and with the same direction as traffic so if there is a failsafe, wing goes down.

Your video shows that this is not correct.

Quote from: MatthiasC on June 01, 2015, 12:19:09 PM
Also the spotter with the 200x zoom camera made sure no car was comming when we downrided the Bridge.

Your video shows that this is not correct.

Quote from: MatthiasC on June 01, 2015, 12:19:09 PM
Please know, that this was a big dream of us since a while we made come true and the trip was well planed.

I'm sure we all dream of flying in certain locations but that does not justify doing it. I would love to fly in the centre of Edinburgh, over the gardens, around the castle and down the Royal Mile, but it would be irresponsible and endanger people to do this.

mark1975 · June 01, 2015, 01:43:14 PM

I FOUND TIHS A BRIDGE TO FAR ..........................................LMFAO

MatthiasC · June 01, 2015, 01:45:24 PM

Quote from: skyscraper on June 01, 2015, 01:09:10 PM

Flying close to and through Bridge wires is well planned? :laugh: .. Minimal skill required here but Unfortunately shows a Total disregard for anyone driving on the bridge. You can easy find places to do this sort of stuff where you arent going to piss people off.. so why didnt you do that? This stupidity is what gives FPV a bad name. I would suggest take your video down off Youtube ASAP

regards
Andy

As told :) No, we are not planing to remove it.

We think this is an important Topic that needs to be discused. So many People are overreacting in our oppinion because of something that isn't more or less dangerous than many other things we do daily.

@electrotor:

The last shot against traffic direction was UNDER the Level of the rail of the Bridge. Failsafe was programmed so wing immediately goes down there.

I think flying at this Bridge in a wide, non-poulated landscape with absolutely minimal traffic is quite not the same as flying as you described ;)

skyscraper · June 01, 2015, 02:05:53 PM

Quote from: MatthiasC on June 01, 2015, 01:45:24 PM
Quote from: skyscraper on June 01, 2015, 01:09:10 PM

Flying close to and through Bridge wires is well planned? :laugh: .. Minimal skill required here but Unfortunately shows a Total disregard for anyone driving on the bridge. You can easy find places to do this sort of stuff where you arent going to piss people off.. so why didnt you do that? This stupidity is what gives FPV a bad name. I would suggest take your video down off Youtube ASAP

regards
Andy

As told :) No, we are not planing to remove it.

Why is that ? A bit short of cash are you ?