The Whitetail 5ft weighted drone take-off mat was used alongside a DJI Inspire 2 during filming for “The Mysteries of Anthrax Island”, a documentary for BBC Scotland about Gruinard Island on Scotland’s west coast.
Preparing for coastal take-offs
Coastal filming means working with varied ground conditions, from loose shingle and exposed rock to low vegetation.
During this shoot, the mat covered loose material that could otherwise be disturbed by the drone’s prop wash. Where foliage covered the ground, it was also used to press down vegetation and prepare a dedicated take-off area.
A weighted edge for ground you can’t peg into
On rocky shorelines and hard ground, securing a drone landing mat with stakes isn’t always possible. The Whitetail mat’s weighted edge helped it stay in place without needing to peg it into the ground, making it particularly useful for these coastal locations.
The behind-the-scenes photograph shows the Inspire 2 positioned on the mat beside the water, with a laptop and equipment cases nearby—a working drone setup during location filming.