José A. Cardona from Lanzarote has filmed some images on the island of La Palma on the eve of the anniversary of the end of the Tajogaite volcano eruption. The drone pilot explains that he arrived on the island on December 5 with three fellow enthusiasts and returned to Lanzarote on December 11. "The decision to go to La Palma to record arose from the eruption of the volcano, but for various reasons it was not possible to make that trip at that time. Given that this month marked one year since the confirmation of the end of the eruption, we wanted to go and record and observe how the situation has evolved and the changes that the island has experienced," says Cardona.
The videographer explains that before traveling to La Palma, they had to manage the corresponding authorizations since it is an area restricted to the flight of any type of aircraft. "Currently this management is carried out by a specific department for the area affected by the volcano eruption, which belongs to the Cabildo de la Palma and its head Andrés has greatly facilitated our work, since we had to present very detailed flight plans: drone model, weight, camera, day, hour, duration, flight altitude, action mesh, etc. In addition, they also asked us for essential requirements such as operator certificate, pilot license appropriate to the flight plans, civil liability insurance and other documents. In addition, I made contacts with the environment department of the Cabildo de La Palma to fly the ZEPA area, MITECO area."
"I was surprised that after two days of submitting the application, I received a call from the technical manager of the environment area, providing me with all the information and expediting the procedures in less than a week, which I think it would be important for the Cabildo de Lanzarote to take note and example of the efficiency and effectiveness, as well as the good treatment and effective communication with the citizen that the Cabildo de La Palma and other Cabildos such as Gran Canaria have," he points out.
Cardona comments that he started piloting drones in 2019 recreationally and over time he went deeper into this world. "I have been this year at the II International Drone Congress "Drone Future 2022" that took place in Haro, capital of Rioja, whose organizer for two years is Rafa Ocon from "Dron Gurú", who is one of the pioneers of the drone world since the rise of drones. He is also an important 'youtuber', has a drone pilot training school and carries out filming courses and work for important brands. Luckily, before traveling to La Palma he spent a week visiting Lanzarote and together with a friend, Marcos Velez, from Gran Canaria, and another youtuber, Marvel Filmmaking, we showed him several points of the island and established a good friendship.
Filming days
"In our flight plans we had included two to three daily flights with a duration of two or three hours each, during the blue hour (sunrise) and the golden hour (sunset), which are the hours that I like the most to film, although this involves a greater effort such as getting up early and being a little cold," says Cardona.
"The first day we arrived we recorded at sunset and seeing in person the new landscape that has remained after the eruption, really impressed me since I have known all that area for years in my frequent trips to La Palma for work reasons. During those days there were storms that affected the western islands and especially affected the southwest part of La Palma, which led to having to suspend some of the flight plans. Even the new road that is being built from La Laguna to Puerto Naos was temporarily closed, due to the poor visibility due to the vapors that arose in the lava of the volcano due to the rains, as can be seen in the video and also in a "short" that I published on my Youtube channel," explains the videographer.
Cardona narrates that they also had to present new flight plans, adapting to the meteorology they encountered. "In the final part of the video the landscape is clearer and brighter, unlike the previous day at the same point, in which it was impossible to make the flight due to the rain and bad weather," he points out.
One year since the end of the eruption
"Since this month of December marks one year since the end of the volcano eruption, we wanted to capture in images the evolution of the affected area of the island, without highlighting the damages and losses that it has caused in the constructions and agricultural areas that are unrecoverable, but yes in those that we believe can be recovered. Likewise, we want to show that the volcano still retains its inner fire that is clearly seen in the vapors it emits in contact with the rain and also the increase in the surface of the island with the fajana," says the drone pilot.
"Despite the damages and losses caused by this natural phenomenon, I believe that La Palma is still the Isla Bonita and I am sure that the people of La Palma look to the future with hope and illusion," concludes Cardona.
