Kiwanis Learn About Drones
The Carmi Kiwanis Club held its regularly scheduled noon meeting on June 13, 2019 at the White County Farm Bureau Building. Club President Katelyne Wolff opened the meeting with the Kiwanis Creed, Song, Pledge and Prayer. The 50/50 drawing was won by Frank Barbre but was not able to pull the orange ball for the $87.00. Don Dixon won the $10.00 Huck’s gas card. Guests of the club meeting were Tyler Gray, introduced by Andy Acord, Shelia Wallace, John Barnet and Vicky Hilliard, introduced by Scott Johnson, and Debbie Hoskins, introduced by Keith Hoskins. Good News was given by Amy McCarty on the first harvest of radishes and lettuce from the 4-H Garden, Andrea Hays on the White County Democrat Party golf outing on June 22nd, Barry Cleveland on the St. Louis blues Stanly Cup WIN, Thys Bax on gifting $4 for other members of which Dave Johnson spoke of a movie written about Jim Pfister who was a Vietnam War prisoner of war for 5 years, Steve Winkleman on his son Adam’s 43 birthday, and Keith Hoskins on his wedding anniversary of 9 years with Debbie Hoskins.
In club business, President Wolff reported on the recent board meeting that Corn Days activities continued to be planned, that the board voted to remove one golf ball per week when the 50/50 pot exceeds $100.
Club member, Keith Hoskins, introduced the program speaker. Mike Eyman is the owner of Peregrine Media. Mike is the son of Debbie Hoskins and step son of Keith Hoskins. Mike began the program flying his media drone (see photo) that he uses to video commercials that he produces for his clients. He has produced videos for all the local realty agents, Kim Gwaltney, Town and Country Real Estate (Kiwanis club member), Dustin Hawkins, Integrity Realty and Auctions, Nikki Farny-Edwards, NFE Realty, and Angie French and Amber Ackerman with the Property Shop. Other businesses include, H D Bean Jewelers, Gottzz’s, White County Ford, and Dartt and Company. He has completed projects for Super Grip ATV in Tennessee which specializes in tire sales for ATV’s, ReMax Revolution Real Estate in Evansville, Indiana, Hamilton County Food and Brew Fest and recently began a project on a safety film for a local company. Mike stated that he also specializes in shooting still pictures and videos for weddings and anniversaries.
Mike began his business, Peregrine Media, prior to 2019 and has been flying drones for three years more as a hobby Then in 2019 he studied for his commercial pilot license, took the exam and now is certified pilot. He stated that you must have the license from the FAA to promote any commercial work or be subject to a fine. What he knows about the art of flying the drones, capturing the videos and putting the audio with the commercial has been self-taught. He also stated that social media is the fastest growing sector of advertising as evidence with the work for Super Grip ATV in Tennessee. Before the most recent campaign, their web site hits were minimal, but when they posted the new promotion on social media their hits increased 41% in 30 days and sales for the ATV tires were more than expected.
In Mike’s power point presentation, he showed videos of productions on the New Harmony Bridge, Gottzz’s Restaurant, Erica Strong Rodriquez with ReMax Revolution on her video business card, and Anthony Huffer with White County Ford. While the video ad maybe 1 or 2 minutes in length and take one or two days to shoot the video but it may take up to 3 weeks to produce the spot to edit and match the audio with the video.
Other interesting facts that Mike discussed were about the FAA and their requirements, that you can only legally fly an altitude 400 feet, a battery lasts 20 minutes before changing out, that he has filters for light sensors for the camera, and weather is a factor in flying the drone.
