Due to the fact that Oyibo always had a strong interest in
(electronic) gadgets, the step from video to drones was to be
expected.
The first drone was purchased for the Azura Project in Nigeria and
more drones for different purposes followed.
During the Project on Lake Kivu in Rwanda, Oyibo added a Powervision
PowerRay to his fleet. This is an underwater moving tether camera system that
is able to go up to 30 meters deep and can controlled via a tether
cable to a normal controller.
Unfortunately Africa (known for high military influence and authoritarian control) has made a run towards almost banning drone flights throughout the entire continent. Specially drone regulations in Rwanda are a joke. It took me three months and a huge amount of cash to get my drone registered but unsuccessfully. According their website, it takes maximum 4 weeks. Oyibo had all documents ready but maybe because Oyibo could read the Ministerial Order better then the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, they got pissed. Not to mention that they never understood the difference between registration of a drone and a license to fly. So, Oyibo's registration never got completed and money gone. Oyibo still has the conversation with the RCAA We got our drone back at our departure from Rwanda. Luckily I had another drone with me so I still have the footage that I wanted (both from Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda).
In June 2020, the new European Drone legislation would become active
and that was a game changer.
Oyibo is in strong favor for proper drone regulation and that keeps it
safe and fun for all pilots. Unfortunatly, less fortunate people are
everywhere, and they all can buy a drone as well