Ricardo Matiello is 39 years old, lives in Maringá-Paraná-Brazil and he’s the great winner of the 2015 Dronestagram and National Geographic Drone Photo Contest with its picture “Above the mist“. He’s also the CEO of MTI Aero Company.

When did your passion for the drones begin ?
About three years ago when I bought my first drone, the DJI Phantom. I always watched videos on Youtube made ​​with drones and I was amazed by the fantastic aerial images . This was the beginning.

What kind of drone do you have for the moment?
My company projects drones for professional Jobs, like Security Systems, Precision Agriculture and Photography . One of my favorites drones is the M4 Falco ( Aero MTI ) , with long range link video and 4K camera .

Which drone innovation-related topics are of greatest interest to you?
Platforms for developers (SDK’s). Also cameras and lenses to specific areas such as Agriculture ( Multi -spectral ) and Safety ( Thermal ) .

 What are your favorite flight areas?
Basically in places where there are beautiful places that can be seen from above, whether it’s in the city or in the countryside.

What image do the people from Brazil have of drones?
Although there a long time , only now the drones are very popular in Brazil. People here are delighted with these small flying robots. Many already know their usefulness and gradually these devices are gaining acceptance of the entire population.

What are the rules to follow in your country and what do you think?
The brazilian laws regulating UAVs are still under discussion in the National Congress. The situation of drones in the current rules are addressed by an agency of the rules governing aviation in Brazil (ANAC – Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil/National Civil Aviation Agency). This regulation provides for a maximum flight altitude , restrictions on flights near airfields , as well as protects the safety and privadidade people , banning flights over densely populated areas. In my view apply rules to preserve the physical integrity of people and prevent possible damage to private and public assets. The new legislation will include companies like mine , who have a job offer in support of an entire society , and certainly will be a milestone to enter into a new era of technological solutions , with the use of drones

In your opinion, what are the top three skills you need to be a good pilot?
First know very well the equipment. Secondly have all the piloting techniques for the proposed flight . And not least, always be learning about evolution and new technologies that are aggregated to drones.

What movie or photo are you the most proud of?
Certainly the winning photo of Drone Aerial Contest (2015 edition).

1st Prize - Category Places - Above the mist, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil by Ricardo Matiello

What areas of the world would you like to explore with your drone in the future?
I want to first travel my Country , which has a vast land area with very high biodiversity . I like being close to nature and record these moments are certainly in my nearest plans. After this , I think of exploring places where there is a rich cultural history , depicting the present day towns where relevant events occurred in human history.

Any particular anecdote you may wish to share with us?
We spent the last Reveilon in a small town in São Paulo province. I did an overnight flight with my drone on the first day of the year, hovering for a few minutes some areas of the city. The next day, listening to the local radio station, commented that the region had received the aliens visit, and that the supposed spot where the UFO landed was next to a farm. I went there to see and coincidentally there was a circle on the ground, probably made for some agricultural machinery. For a few days , it was a tourist spot in the city.

 Thank you Ricardo.
The End.

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