Here's a classic 1987 Toyota 4Runner video that was filmed in Bunkie, Louisiana.

Louisiana Helicam recently completed weekly project aerial photos, videos, and panoramic images for the newly-constructed FedEx Ground Distribution Center located in Carencro, Louisiana.  We visited the site each week for 36 weeks during the course of construction.

The new project, developed by the James Saad Development Corporation, replaced an existing facility in Scott, LA. The site was chosen because of its ease of access to major highways, proximity to customers' distribution centers and a strong local community workforce for recruiting employees.

The new facility is part of a nationwide network expansion to boost daily package volume capacity and further enhance the speed and service capabilities of the FedEx Ground network. Since 2005, the company has opened 15 new hubs featuring advanced material-handling systems and expanded or relocated more than 500 local facilities.

VIDEO

PANORAMIC IMAGE

PHOTOS

Louisiana Helicam recently completed this industrial property listing for Max Derbes, Inc. Realtors.  The property is located near Belle Chasse, LA.

RAM TERMINALS LLC
598 ACRES MISSISSIPPI RIVER
INDUSTRIAL SITE

The RAM Industrial Site (RAM) is located in the Plaquemines Port Harbor & Terminal District (PPD) which is coextensive with parish boundaries and begins approximately 15 miles downriver from downtown New Orleans. The PPD is known for its large concentration of river terminals and plant complexes and close proximity to the mouth of the Mississippi River. 

Recent proposed industrial developments in the Plaquemines Port District include: oil storage terminal, liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, Coal terminal expansion, methanol production facility and Port district development.

• 598 acres total.
• 7,000 linear feet frontage on Mississippi River
• Fleeting permits in place with capacity for 152 barges
• Ship Dock permit in process
• New Orleans Lower Coast Railroad adjacent to north
• Extensive Highway 23 frontage
• Zoned I-3; Heavy Industrial District
• Minimal wetlands
• Extensive engineering and permitting studies available
• Opportunities include joint venture, co-location, public/private partnership, port development, industry expansion/buffer, terminal development, long-term lease.
• Asking price, lease rates, and other information available upon execution of ‘non-disclosure  agreement

Louisiana real estate drone service

Panoramic Images

Louisiana Helicam recently had the opportunity to shoot commercial photos for the newly-renovated Origin Bank location in West Monroe, LA.

• Origin Bank

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The following is from our June article for a national pulp and paper publication

Multirotor “drone” systems have become so popular over the past five years that many have forgotten or discredited fixed wing unmanned aircraft. 

Multirotor systems serve as a convenient option for aerial photography, video, and mapping applications. 

Common benefits:

• Vertical take-off and land (VTOL):  Multirotor aircraft can take off and land without the need for a linear flight path
• Hovering or extremely slow flight:  Multirotor aircraft can hover in one position or perform maneuvers at very slow speeds
• Storage/travel:  Multirotor aircraft typically have a small footprint and can be stored in a smaller space than fixed wing aircraft

That said, fixed wing aircraft can be more beneficial with respect to both surveillance/reconnaissance and mapping applications.

Common benefits:

• Flight duration: Fixed wing UAS have an average battery duration of 40 minutes to greater than 1 hour
• Larger coverage area: A fixed wing UAS can perform a mapping grid for an area of 500 acres or greater in a single flight
• Safety: Most fixed wing UAS are constructed from lightweight styrofoam and have a very slow glide characteristic

Fixed wing UAS examples:

Finwing Penguin (owned by Louisiana Helicam)

RVJET (owned by Louisiana Helicam)

Sensefly Ebee

The West Monroe Civitan Smiles Park (Smiles Park) project began with the vision of the West Monroe Civitan Club to create a playground specifically for children with disabilities. After collaborating with Shane’s Inspiration for the development of the playground the Civitan Club realized that Smiles Park shouldn’t be just for ”children with disabilities”, but a playground for all children. Thus, Smiles Park has been designed as an inclusive playground that will be attractive and safe for all children to simply play together without physical or social barriers.

The Civitan Club is a civic club of 40 local businessmen. The club was chartered by Civitan International in 1959. Civitans are everyday people within your community who come together to support organizations devoted to the improvement of lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities. 
The club's annual fund-raiser, the Ark-La-Miss Fair and Livestock Show, is held annually in September. Fair proceeds of more than $50,000 are donated annually to local community non-profit projects, including the new Smiles Park at Kiroli.

In March 2013, the West Monroe Civitan Club and the City of West Monroe entered into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement that began to make Smiles Park a reality. The club agreed to spearhead the playground project and made an initial contribution of $200,000.00 toward the playground construction. The City of West Monroe provided a location within Kiroli Park and agreed to construct a fully accessible pavilion to accompany the playground. The City also agreed to accept ownership and maintenance of the playground once construction is complete. Shane’s Inspiration, a non-profit organization dedicated to the establishment of inclusive playgrounds across the country and overseas, has designed the playground and will coordinate outreach and education programs to help fulfill the park’s mission…bringing all children together to play!

Because the dream of Smiles Park began with the West Monroe Civitan Club's work at the Ark-La-Miss Fair, Shane’s Inspiration designed the playground around a carnival theme. With your help, Smiles Park will become a place where all children and their families can experience the laughter, fun and joy of a day at the Fair…anytime they choose.

Links of interest:

• West Monroe Civitan Club
• Kiroli Park Web Page
• Kiroli Park Facebook Page
• Civitan Smiles Park

VIDEO

PANORAMIC AERIAL TOUR

PHOTOS

This article is my latest monthly submission for an international pulp and paper publication:

Since the Federal Aviation Administration established official UAS regulations in August of 2016, companies are now able to make legal decisions to incorporate UAS into their business.  While some larger companies have taken drone operations in house, many have decided to outsource the service to professional Drone Service Providers.

As a professional UAS operator of 13 years, you would expect me to make the obvious recommendation to outsource.  While true, my suggestion to outsource would remain unchanged even if I was an outsider to the drone business. 

My reasoning…

First and foremost, the drone pilot will need to study for and pass the FAA Part 107 exam in order to legally perform commercial work.  At the time of this writing, the Part 107 exam needs to be retaken every 24 months.  Some UAS companies are still operating under the Section 333 Exemption.  However, it appears as though the Part 107 process will be what is used in the long run.  According to the FAA, fines for illegal commercial use can be as high as $1100.00 per incident for the operator and $10,000 for the company that hired them.  Continue reading if you or your company is ok with keeping up with these regulations as they progress.

Second, you’ll need UAS-specific insurance in order to perform commercial operations.  This isn’t required by the FAA.  But, most standard general liability policies will not cover a drone-related accident.  UAS policies can be purchased on a per-flight basis or annually.  A $1M annual policy ranges from $800.00 to $1700.00 with various add-ons (waivers of subrogation, COI holder types, hull coverage, etc.).  A $4M policy is typically priced well over $3000.00 per year.

Third, let’s talk about pilot proficiency.  GPS stabilization has helped to lower the barriers to entry for drone pilots.  That said, GPS stabilization has also created an environment for stale/lifeless flying.  You’ll want to use a pilot that can fly the aircraft in a compelling fashion.  There are plenty of “floater” video examples on YouTube.  Fast motion, constant camera movement, and close-to-subject flight paths help to create more compelling product. 

At the end of the day, the drone is just a tool. It’s an artist’s paintbrush, a carpenter’s lathe, a surveyor’s transit, you get the drift.  Let’s take a wedding photographer, for example.  Sure, you could purchase a decent camera for $3500.00 and take the pictures on your own.  However, this is a forever moment and Aunt Mildred flew in from China to be there.  Do you trust yourself to obtain the same level of quality as a professional photographer/videographer?

Many of my clients made the decision to take drone operations in-house only to circle back around to outsourcing again. 

The most common reasoning:

• Did not want to keep up with FAA regulations
• Person in charge needs to return to original list of responsibilities
• Lack of pilot proficiency (damaged equipment, lackluster quality)
• Overhead

The West Monroe Civitan Smiles Park (Smiles Park) project began with the vision of the WMCC to create a playground specifically for children with disabilities. After
collaborating with Shane’s Inspiration for the development of the playground the WMCC realized that Smiles Park shouldn’t be just for ”children with disabilities”, but
a playground for all children. Thus, Smiles Park has been designed as an inclusive playground that will be attractive and safe for all children to simply play together
without physical or social barriers.

In March 2013 the WMCC and the City of West Monroe entered into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement that began to make Smiles Park a reality. The WMCC agreed
to spearhead the playground project and made an initial contribution of $200,000.00 toward the playground construction. The City of West Monroe provided a location
within Kiroli Park and agreed to construct a fully accessible pavilion to accompany the playground. The City also agreed to accept ownership and maintenance of the
playground once construction is complete. Shane’s Inspiration, a non-profit organization dedicated to the establishment of inclusive playgrounds across the country
and overseas, has designed the playground and will coordinate outreach and education programs to help fulfill the park’s mission…bringing all children together to
play!

Because the dream of Smiles Park began with the WMCC’s work at the Ark-La-Miss Fair, Shane’s Inspiration designed the playground around a carnival theme. With
your help Smiles Park will become a place where all children and their families can experience the laughter, fun and joy of a day at the Fair…
anytime they choose.