LIFESTYLES
‘Odd Couple’
on stage at
BMCC/3C
Doolittle
day at
airport/2C
WEEKEND, MAY 6-7, 2017
‘Premium
hunts’
return/8C
EYE
IN THE
SKY
Photo by James Thomas
LEFT: James Thomas, of Hermiston, fl ies his drone near Hat Rock, using an iPad to track direction, speed, elevation and operate the drone’s camera. RIGHT
AND ABOVE: These photos of Wallowa County and a thunderstorm over Pendleton were taken from the air by James Thomas using a Phantom 4 drone.
Photo, tech hobbyist uses drone to get a new angle on scenery
His interest in fl ying, however, sprouted years
before.
“My stepdad was a pilot, so I love seeing things
from the air,” he said, which even grew into him
The drone hovered a few feet off the ground,
fl ying for the Civil Air Patrol.
sounding like a small swarm of bees. Cows on the
Thomas also said he was “big into photography” in
grassy pasture nearby paid it no mind.
high school, and the drone allows him to pursue that
James Thomas of Hermiston sent his four-bladed
as well. He said he used the drone to shoot video of
DJI Phantom 4 Pro soaring. Seconds later it disap-
the Umatilla River fl ooding in Hermiston, which he
peared from sight somewhere above Hat Rock State
gave to a Tri-Cities TV news station.
Park on the Columbia River.
Thomas works at the Hermiston Wal-Mart Distri-
“It practically fl ies itself,” he said. “It’s a very
bution Center. On his days off, he said, he, Rincker
smart drone.”
and her 2-year-old son “try to go somewhere cool
The contraption would fi t in a plastic milk crate.
that has nice scenery.” Their best trip yet was April
Thomas, 25, operated the drone with left and right
21 to Wallowa Lake, where
joysticks on a hand-held
he took photos of mountain
console, akin to a video
clouds refl ecting off the high
game controller. He
lake’s placid waters. He said
connected an iPad tablet
his sister picked one image
that displays images from
for her birthday present.
the drone’s ultra-defi nition
He recalled he crashed
camera as well as fl ight
the drone into a tree on
information, including speed
an early fl ight and lost the
and altitude.
drone on Hermiston Butte
The manufacturer advises
when “something went
a top speed of 45 mph, he
crazy with it.” His best guess
said, but with a tailwind he
was interference from the
has seen it reach 55.
communication towers.
The signal from the
Their visit to the wind
console is good within three
farm at Finley Buttes did
miles, he said, and a pair of
Staff photo by Kathy Aney
not pan out. Rincker said
antenna attachments boosted
James Thomas of Hermiston packs away they found signs prohibiting
the distance to fi ve. Still, he
his new drone, which fi ts in a hard styro- drones. And the airport at
held off fl ying the $1,000
foam container.
Joseph, Thomas said, has
device all the way to the
a “huge no fl y zone” that
Washington side of the river.
prevented the drone from working.
“Since we’re so close to the Columbia, with the
He has fl own at the Eastern Oregon Regional
weather, I’m kind of scared to do it,” he said.
Airport, Pendleton, he said, which requires calling the
Thomas also said he fl ies it no higher than 400
tower operator for permission. While at the Hermiston
feet, the Federal Aviation Administration’s ceiling
Municipal Airport, he has to keep an eye out for
on recreational drone use. He paid $25 to register the
LifeFlight aircraft.
drone with the agency.
His biggest fear of fl ying, though, is hitting a bird.
He said two years ago he saw a drone in action and
He also said eagles are a concern because they have
“thought it was so cool.” This year he convinced his
attacked drones.
girlfriend, Mariah Rincker, 25, of Hermiston, to buy
Rincker credited the drone with getting them
the Phantom 4 with her tax return, with the promise he
outdoors but said she has yet to fl y the drone. Thomas
would pay her back.
said when his girlfriend tried, the weather soured.
“He loves it,” she said. “It’s crazy how much stuff
Thomas added they are looking at fl ying over the
he’s done with it already.”
Painted Hills and Hell’s Canyon. And he just might fl y
He has had the drone for about eight weeks.
it this weekend over Hermiston, he said, to take in the
They planned to visit his family in his hometown
big Cinco de Mayo celebration.
of Lebanon, Oregon, the same day the drone was to
———
arrive.
Contact Phil Wright at pwright@eastoregonian.
“I simply refused to leave until this thing came in
com or 541-966-0833.
the mail,” he said.
By PHIL WRIGHT
East Oregonian
Staff photo by Kathy Aney
James Thomas fl ies his drone near Hat Rock.
Staff photo by Kathy Aney
James Thomas keeps an extra battery in reserve to
power his Phanton 4 drone for up to 22 minutes of fl ight
time. The drone is designed to return to the user before
the battery dies.