Up In The Sky! Is It A Bird? It’s A Plane? No, It’s Jennifer’s Drone!

    It wasn’t long after most of the research team had touched down in Nome AK that I met Jennifer Johnson from Woods Hole Massachusetts. We compared stories about living on a boat, as she presently lives on a powerboat in Great Harbor, located in Woods Hole. A lifetime ago I lived in the same harbor for four summers on a Alden design, center cockpit sailboat called Pegasus. Jennifer is a biological technician contractor with the NOAA National Marine Fisheries. Her role during the research cruise is to work with Dr. Michael Lowe, from the Louisiana State University, with the EK80. The EK80 is a scientific echo sounder whose main purpose is to remotely count fish and zooplankton and estimate biomass coupled with midwater trawls.

    We were getting to know each other when she asked me where I thought might be an open space to fly her drone and I replied, “You brought a drone! Awesome!” And off we went to find the right place. The main park in the center of Nome had a lot of children playing in it so we had to reconsider locations. Along the way Chrissy, also from Woods Hole Massachusetts, met us and suggested the beach as a perfect drone launching location. Chrissy is a pHD candidate with the MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography. She will be working on deploying, recovering, and processing fish samples that are taken with the mid-water trawl net.

    Drone Launch From the Beach!

    The three of us set off to the beach! After climbing over a rock revetment designed to hold back the Bering Sea’s erosional forces, we made it to the beach.

    Jennifer goes through pre-flight checks between the drone and her tablet.
    Jennifer goes through pre-flight checks between the drone and her tablet. August 23, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.
    Chrissy (right) helps Jennifer (left) calibrate the drone before lift off!
    Chrissy (right) helps Jennifer (left) calibrate the drone before lift off! Photo by Lisa Seff. August 23, 2016.
    Drone ready for take off!
    Drone ready for take off! August 23, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.
    Minutes later after a little calibration, up, up and away went the drone! Jennifer’s handling of the drone was exceptional and it turns out that she’s been flying them for quite some time. She holds a certified FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) remote pilots license which is pretty amazing!
    View of Jennifer Johnson, Chrissy Hernandez and Lisa Seff on the beach in Nome from the drone perspective.
    View of Jennifer Johnson, Chrissy Hernandez and Lisa Seff on the beach in Nome from the drone perspective. Photo by Jennifer Johnson. August 233, 2017.
    Want to see Nome from the drone’s point of view? Check out the photo’s below!
    Drone over Nome AK
    Views from the sky above Nome! Photo by Jennifer Johnson. August 23, 2017.
    Views of the Nome coastline!
    Views of the Nome coastline from the drone Jennifer was operating. Photo by Jennifer Johnson. August 23, 2017.
    Drone over Nome AK
    Views of the Nome coastline from the drone looking North. In the distance is the R/V Sikuliaq. Photo by Jennifer Johnson. August 23, 2017.

    Polar Postcards from Springs School students and Arctic Artwork from Nome's Anvil City Science Academy students!

    Captain Forest McMullen holds the Arctic organism flag artwork.
    R/V Sikuliaq Captain takes a moment to admire and test drive a flag in the wind! Arctic Artwork flag by students from the Anvil City Science Academy in Nome Alaska! August 29, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff
    Arctic organism artwork
    A closer look at theh Arctic flag artwork by students at the Nome Anvil City Science Academy. August 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff
    Arctic organism artwork.
    Arctic organism artwork from Springs School student Eva W. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.
    Arctic Artwork!
    Arctic organism artwork from Springs School student Anvelo B.!Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.
    Arctic organism artwork.
    Arctic organism artwork from Springs School Student Sophia D. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.
    Arctic organism artwork.
    Arctic organism artwork from Springs School student Morgan G. Photo by Lisa Seff August 2017

    27 August 2017 ¡Dron sobre Nome Alaska!

    ¡Arriba en el cielo! ¿Es un pájaro? ¿Es un avión? ¡No, es el dron de Jennifer!

    No fue mucho después de que la mayoría del equipo de investigación llego a Nome AK que conocí a Jennifer Johnson de Woods Hole Massachusetts. Comparamos anécdotas acerca de vivir sobre un barco, ya que actualmente vive en una lancha en Great Harbor, en Woods Hole. Hace mucho tiempo yo viví en la misma bahía durante cuatro veranos en un veledo de cabina central de diseño Alden llamado Pegasus. Jennifer es una contratista técnica biológica con NOAA National Marine Fisheries. Su función durante el cruce de investigación es trabajar con el Dr. Michael Lowe, de la universidad de Louisiana, con el EK80. El EK80 es un ecosonda científico cuyo propósito es contar remotamente peces y zooplancton y estimar biomasa junto con arrastre de media profundidad.

    Nos estábamos conociendo mejor cuando me pregunto dónde habría un espacio abierto para volar su dron y le dije, “¡Trajiste un dron! ¡Fantástico!” y nos fuimos a buscar el lugar adecuado. El parque principal en el centro de Nome tenía muchos niños jugando así que buscamos otras opciones. En el camino Chrissy, también de Wods Hole Massachusetts, se topó con nosotros y sugirió una playa como lugar perfecto para despegar el dron. Chrissy es una candidata al Ph.D. con el programa combinado de oceanografía del MIT/WHOI. Ella va a trabajar en el despliegue, recuperación, y procesamiento de muestras de pescados que son atrapados en la red durante el arrastre a medio nivel de agua.

    ¡Despegue del dron dese la playa!

    ¡Las tres nos fuimos a la playa! Después de trepar sobre un embanque te rocas designada para contener las fuerzas erosivas del Mar de Bering, llegamos a la playa.

    Jennifer goes through pre-flight checks between the drone and her tablet.
    Jennifer goes through pre-flight checks between the drone and her tablet. August 23, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.

    Chrissy (right) helps Jennifer (left) calibrate the drone before lift off!
    Chrissy (right) helps Jennifer (left) calibrate the drone before lift off! Photo by Lisa Seff. August 23, 2016.

    Drone ready for take off!
    Drone ready for take off! August 23, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff.

    ¡Minutos más tarde después de una pequeña calibración, subió, y subió, y se fue el dron! Jennifer manejó al dron excepcionalmente ya que lo ha manejado por mucho tiempo. Ella tiene una licencia de piloto a remoto certificada por la FAA (Administración Federal de Aviación) que es increíble.

    View of Jennifer Johnson, Chrissy Hernandez and Lisa Seff on the beach in Nome from the drone perspective.
    View of Jennifer Johnson, Chrissy Hernandez and Lisa Seff on the beach in Nome from the drone perspective. Photo by Jennifer Johnson. August 233, 2017.

    ¿Quieres ver Nome desde el punto de vista del dron? ¡Mira las fotos!

    Drone over Nome AK
    Views from the sky above Nome! Photo by Jennifer Johnson. August 23, 2017.

    Views of the Nome coastline!
    Views of the Nome coastline from the drone Jennifer was operating. Photo by Jennifer Johnson. August 23, 2017.

    Drone over Nome AK
    Views of the Nome coastline from the drone looking North. In the distance is the R/V Sikuliaq. Photo by Jennifer Johnson. August 23, 2017.

    ¡Postales de estudiantes de Springs School y Arte Ártico de estudiantes de la academia de ciencia de Anvil City de Nome!

    Captain Forest McMullen holds the Arctic organism flag artwork.
    R/V Sikuliaq Captain takes a moment to admire and test drive a flag in the wind! Arctic Artwork flag by students from the Anvil City Science Academy in Nome Alaska! August 29, 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff

    Arctic organism artwork
    A closer look at theh Arctic flag artwork by students at the Nome Anvil City Science Academy. August 2017. Photo by Lisa Seff

    Arctic organism artwork.
    Arctic organism artwork from Springs School student Eva W. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.

    Arctic Artwork!
    Arctic organism artwork from Springs School student Anvelo B.!Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.
    Arctic organism artwork.
    Arctic organism artwork from Springs School Student Sophia D. Photo by Lisa Seff. August 2017.

    Arctic organism artwork.
    Arctic organism artwork from Springs School student Morgan G. Photo by Lisa Seff August 2017

    Comments

    Tifany G

    How hard was it to control the drone?

    Tifany G

    How hard was it to control the drone?

    Tifany G

    How hard was it to control the drone?

    Tifany G

    How hard was it to control the drone?

    Jake.K

    Hi Mrs. Seff I was wondering if the drone was loud and if it was fast. Thank you

    Jake.K

    Hi Mrs. Seff I was wondering if the drone was loud and if it was fast. Thank you

    Jake.K

    Hi Mrs. Seff I was wondering if the drone was loud and if it was fast. Thank you

    Nichole L

    How long did it take Jennifer to go through the pre-flight checks between the drone and her tablet?

    Corrina C

    Did you fly the drone? Have you ever flown a drone before?

    Lisa Seff

    Hi Nichole-great question.  It took about 10-15 minutes for the pre-check, and what she was also doing was calibrating it so that it would "know" where it was.  It's really neat.  Now of course....I want a drone too!(:
    take care
    Lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/12/2017 1:54 PM
    Subject: Re: Nichole L commented on 27 August 2017 Drone over Nome Alaska!

    (((

    Lisa Seff

    Hi Corrina-I did not fly the drone as it's pretty tricky and her drone is expensive.  But I'm learning a lot by watching herand it's really fun to help her with it!  But....I think I'm going to get one of my own when I get home!
    (:
    take care,
    Lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/12/2017 2:17 PM
    Subject: Re: Corrina C commented on 27 August 2017 Drone over Nome Alaska!

    ((

    Sandy O

    Did any other person fly the drone or learn how to use it?

    Gregory C

    What is the name of the drone that Jennifer Johnson was using?

    Corrina C

    We should fly the drone in class! Hope you are having fun.

    Sarah Morgan

    When you fly a drone do you need an FAA?

    Lisa Seff

    Hi Corrina! (:
    That would be fun....but they're a little trick so I think I had better practice first!
    Lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/13/2017 1:32 PM
    Subject: Re: Corrina C commented on 27 August 2017 Drone over Nome Alaska!

    (

    Lisa Seff

    Hi Sarah-you do have to register it.  I'll know more when I get home!(:
    Lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/13/2017 6:26 PM
    Subject: Re: Sarah Morgan commented on 27 August 2017 Drone over Nome Alaska!

    (

    Brooke Will

    Did you see anything new?

    Lisa Seff

    Hi Brooke, yes it's a very different trip then when I was up here in 2012.  I've never seen Arctic cod, and we're catching a lot!  Also, the aurora was much more spectacular than what I've seen in the past.  The ship is also something new.  When I saw it pull up to the dock for us to board, I was in awe!!(:
    lots to see on the sea!
    Lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/14/2017 6:49 AM
    Subject: Re: Brooke Will commented on 27 August 2017 Drone over Nome Alaska!

    (((

    Rosa P.

    Mrs. Seff, you said you lived "for four summers on an Alden design, center cockpit sailboat called Pegasus" why did you live there?

    Kimberly B.

    How high can the drone fly? and how long can it stay in the air?

    Nora C

    Have you ever flown a drone before or was this your first time? If it was your first time, was it hard for you to control it the right way or were you a natural and just figured it out easily?

    Michael M

    Hi Mrs. Seff, I was wondering, how do you calibrate a drone before lift-off? Looks really cool! Thanks for your response!

    Lisa Seff

    Hi Michael! Yes, the drones are wild! And, I want one!!!So you have to calibrate it so that the magetometer (the drones compass) is set.  Since Earth's magnetic field changes where ever you are, when you move the drone a large distance you need to reset its compass so it knows where it is.  

    Jennifer did the work on her controller, but she had me stand with it, then complete a 360 degree turn still holding it, then invert it 90 degrees, and if the calibration went well, it would tell her it was all set.  Have you ever seen a teacher calibrate the Smart Boards?  Where they touch specific locations on the whiteboard to sort of "tell" the Smartboard computer where the board is?  It's a little similar, but in the case of the drone, we're talking about the cardinal directions of a compass.

    Pretty neat!
    (:
    see you soon, say hello to James!
    Lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/16/2017 12:34 PM
    Subject: Re: Michael M commented on 27 August 2017 Drone over Nome Alaska!

    ((( R

    Lisa Seff

    Hi Nora-I actually didn't fly it, I helped her calibrate it, and launch and catch it when landing.  For that I had to wear sun glasses and thin gloves in case a blade hit me.  The drone Jennifer was using is expensive, and we were on a moving ship, made of steel (which can throw the drone's location system off!) so I didn't think it was the best place to learn how to fly it! However I learned a lot and am excited to go buy one of my own when I get back to Springs!  Jennifer suggested buying the $50 models first, as they're harder to fly than the expensive ones.  Then, once you've mastered the small drones, move up to the more complex, expensive models that can fly longer distances and have more bells and whistles!take care, great question,
    Lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/14/2017 7:02 PM
    Subject: Re: Nora C commented on 27 August 2017 Drone over Nome Alaska!

    (((

    Lisa Seff

    Hi Kimberly! Temperature and altitude both impact the length of how long the drone can fly.  I'd say the average was about 20 minutes.  It's niceto finish with extra battery time, rather than not enough!
    (:
    take care,
    lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/14/2017 6:26 PM
    Subject: Re: Kimberly B. commented on 27 August 2017 Drone over Nome Alaska!

    ((

    Lisa Seff

    Whoops! and, they kept them 400 feet or lower.  FAA rules apply...I think the maximum they are supposed to go is 500 feet.(:

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/14/2017 6:26 PM
    Subject: Re: Kimberly B. commented on 27 August 2017 Drone over Nome Alaska!

    (

    Lisa Seff

    Hi Rosa! I am from Cape Cod and after college returned. I worked as a conservation agent for the Town of Mashpee, and then as a biologist and planner for the Cape Cod Commission.  I grew up on boats and loved being on the water, and didn't have enough money for my own house, so I bought a wonderful wooden sailboat named Pegasus!  I lived on her for 7 years.  (:
    Take care Rosa and see you soon!
    Lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/14/2017 3:58 PM
    Subject: Re: Rosa P. commented on 27 August 2017 Drone over Nome Alaska!

    (((

    Jaye D.

    Are there any rules on drone flying? Can the drone not fly over certain areas?

    Daniel P

    Dear Mrs. Seff, How long was the drone being flown for? Does the drone have a type of battery life? If it does have a battery life, how long does it last?

    Mark D

    How hard was it to fly the drone?

    Lisa Seff

    Hi Jaye! Yes, you are supposed to register with the FAA, and not fly over 400 feet.(:
    see you in a week!
    Lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/18/2017 1:53 PM
    Subject: Re: Jaye D. commented on 27 August 2017 Drone over Nome Alaska!

    Lisa Seff

    The drones were typically flown for about 20 minutes.  The battery life is dependent on the air temperature and the altitude that it's flown.(:
    see you in a week!
    Lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/18/2017 2:09 PM
    Subject: Re: Daniel P commented on 27 August 2017 Drone over Nome Alaska!

    (

    Lisa Seff

    Hi Mark-I didn't actually fly the drone as i never have before...and decided it's probably better to nowfly my first one over the ocean, on a moving ship, with a $2000 drone that belongs to someone else!
    (:
    Jennifer suggested flying the $50 ones first, as they're actually harder to fly.  She said that once you master a small one, the more expensive ones
    are easier.
    see you in a week!
    Lisa

    From: PolarTREC
    To:
    Sent: 9/18/2017 4:07 PM
    Subject: Re: Mark D commented on 27 August 2017 Drone over Nome Alaska!

    (

    Anthony G

    What drone did you fly?

    Kaylynn C.

    Did you get a chance to control the drone?

    David polkowski

    Mrs. Seff when you were at the beach did you have the chance to operate the drone? Did you like it?

    James B.

    How long is the battery life of the drone?

    JDF

    When did you first learn to fly a drone if you did where did you learn to do so?