Eric Muehling is a professional photographer whose quest for fresh perspectives and unique angles in his work led him to explore the world of drones.
What started as a creative endeavor to elevate his photography soon evolved into a mission-driven pursuit when his drone played a role in the rescue of two hikers near Chena Hot Springs Resort, Alaska—an experience that not only showcased the life-saving potential of drones but also earned him a finalist spot in our recent #DecadeWithDJI contest.
The ViewPoints team spoke to Eric to learn more about his journey as a drone pilot, the transformative power of drones in both creative and life-saving applications, and to hear his insights on how drone technology can develop further to better support search and rescue efforts.
How did you first develop an interest in drones?
My interest in drones was sparked when I enrolled in an introductory course to drones led by a local expert. As a professional photographer, I wanted to learn about the potential of drones as an aerial photography platform, and the course provided a great foundation to elevate my work.
Can you share a notable operation where drones played a crucial role?
One operation that stands out to me happened on August 14, 2023. I was part of a search and rescue (SAR) effort for two hikers who had gone missing near the Chena Hot Spring Resort, 60 miles east of Fairbanks, Alaska. For three days, I flew a DJI Mavic 3 Pro drone to assist in the search.
What were the specific challenges of the operation that made the use of a drone necessary?
The terrain was incredibly challenging, with tall hills and narrow valleys. Fix-wing search aircraft would not have been able to operate in those tight spaces. The Alaska State Troopers had a helicopter with heat sensor cameras, which searched a grid further away than search teams on foot were covering. My DJI drone allowed us to fly slow and low over areas which were difficult or impossible to access on foot, such as swamps, creeks and steep hillsides, complementing the other search efforts and helping to cover grounds that could have otherwise been missed.
Which features of the drone were most valuable during the operation?
The drone's ability to record video was invaluable. It allowed me to document exactly where I had searched and share that with the search and rescue managers, avoiding any overlap in our efforts. After the mission, I provided files of the drone's video recording to the Alaska State Troopers, who appreciated how the drone’s capabilities made a difference.
How do you hope drones will evolve to best support future SAR operations?
I’d love to see more seamless integration of digital topographic maps with mission planning. The ability to fly an autonomous mission in a hilly area in steep valleys would be a game changer.
What advancements in drone technology are you most excited for, especially for use in SAR missions?
An advancement that would be incredibly useful is the ability to download flight tracks directly to search and rescue software. During the search and rescue mission, the hikers were carrying a device that tracked their movements, and that GPS data was uploaded to a map that tracked all the foot searches. If I could have easily downloaded my drone’s flight path to the same map, it would have streamlined our efforts even more. Perhaps that tech is already out there, and I just haven’t found it yet—but it’s definitely something I’m eager to explore.
As a drone pilot, what other experiences or insights would you like to share?
I've become comfortable navigating Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) applications, which lets you apply for authorization to fly in controlled airspace. The process can be cumbersome as I also have to go through DJI FlySafe before downloading the permission to my drone, but I understand why it’s necessary. Being able to comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations is just part of being a responsible drone pilot.
To learn more about Eric’s work, visit his website or follow his YouTube and Instagram pages
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Over the past few weeks, we invited the drone community to share their stories as part of our #DecadeWithDJI campaign. The ingenious, creative, and meaningful use cases we received have inspired us to launch a content series of the same name. This series celebrates the drone pioneers, communities, and organizations that have built careers, businesses, and demonstrated positive impact through our drones. Follow the series here. |
