On a recent trip to Florida for a project with The Dockman, I found myself staying at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village. It’s a beautiful spot right on the water, and as a videographer and drone pilot, I couldn’t resist taking my Mavic Pro for a quick flight around the resort.
The scenery was stunning, with the marina and surrounding landscape offering plenty of visual appeal. I started capturing some great footage, just enjoying the experience as a hobbyist. But before long, someone approached us with a friendly reminder that the condos had a no-drone policy. Weather he made that up or not, we’ll never know.
While it was a bit disappointing to cut the flight short, I’ve always believed in respecting local regulations and the comfort of others. As much as I love capturing aerial shots, there’s no point in ruffling feathers—especially when I’m flying for fun. So, I brought the drone down, packed it up, and continued to enjoy the rest of the evening at the resort.
Sometimes, it’s not just about the footage you capture but also about knowing when to step back and respect the environment and community around you. I’ve always float my drone to be an ethical pilot.