A Summer Flight in Linville Gorge - Aerial Cinema

A UAV flight through Linville Gorge. Known for being the most rugged terrain this side of the Mississippi, the Grand Canyon of the East has been cut by the Linville River over the course of 200 million years.
Take a flight through the Gorge and experience some of the most rugged wilderness in the United States. Towering over the Gorge is Table Rock @ 4284 feet - known for its slab rock climbing and breath-taking overlooks. Fly over the precariously narrow ridge line toward the Cathedrals, a thin rock formation that comes to a head at the Sphinx, a spire-like rock formation extending from the cliffs into the Gorge. Get a bird's-eye view down the Gorge and river at Shortoff Mountain and the route the Lake James.
Enjoy your flight!
The song is "Summer Days" by Kai Engel, used under the Creative Commons License. All credit goes to his work. Find him online @ FreeMusicArchive.com
DISCLAIMER: !Please do not attempt to recreate this flight! Prior to flying, I had reached out to both the local airports and ranger station to request permission. I was granted verbal permission to perform a short duration flight. A flight like this post-2020 would not be acceptable and would be met with fines or more strict action. !Please do not attempt to recreate this flight!

[@parkergospro]

Incredible footage, thank you so much this is the greatest thing I’ve ever watched. The gorge is the most beautiful place in North Carolina

[@poultryprofits]

I’d love for this video to be recreated today!

[@ghostinthemachine5821]

I didn't know there was a place that rugged on the east Coast. Its beautiful 🤩

[@tylerhensley3639]

Dude this place is beautiful hopefully going here soon to do some hunting

[@4Score747]

I am so glad I found this! Some where around Shortoff Mountain there was a homestead. My Grandpa and my Great Grandma and her husband, Last name, "Alexander" lived really close to Shortoff. The house was torn down in the 70's. I have a picture with it in the background. On my Great Grandmothers death certificate it was stated, died from injuries due to a fall." My cousin said she fell from a trail up there. My grandpa left in 1918 to join the army and never lived there again. The family moved to Nebo, where he was born after his step dad died of TB. Beautiful country. I wish I could see where the old home stood. Thank you for sharing!

[@4Score747]

@scorpiooooh that is definitely a dream of mine. Looking at Google Earth and comparing the photos I have, it seems to be, (the homestead) in a clearing south west of the cliff walls of Shortoff. Be so awesome.

[@4Score747]

@scorpiooooh that is awesome thank you! I’m out here in southern Oregon. I don’t know any of my kinfolks back there.. do you have an email? I can send you a picture of the old farm house with shortoff in the background. So beautiful there.

[@4Score747]

@scorpiooooh thank you! That is a mouthful! 😂 sending photos soon.

[@4Score747]

@scorpiooooh not going through 😔 tried 2 times. Sorry

[@Ackurucu]

These locations are surely beautiful now, and I'm sure you've discovered even more amazing ones in the past 8 years. How about we do another shoot together, and you guide me? What do you think?

[@phyllisnunn2061]

So beautiful!!!! You can almost feel the mountain breezes. ❤️❤️❤️

[@celticpride828]

The fact I live 15 minutes from wolf pit road and the trail head to shirt off in Nebo makes this so much better! Awesome video m8

[@ricman3434]

One of my favorite places to hike, love Linville Gorge

[@CNelson917]

Wisemans View over Linville Gorge - www.carolinaoutdoorsguide.com/wisemansview/ Linville Falls - www.carolinaoutdoorsguide.com/linvillefalls/

[@dennismurphy7023]

Beautiful work guys! You really captured the awesomeness of the Gorge.

[@hanginburrito3341]

Ahhh........ the Gorge!! Love that place, I can't wait to get back again!!

[@johnniehall3692]

Great video 👏 Saved me a lot of driving 🚘 😉👍👍🙏

[@evanmartinez7381]

what drone did you use?

[@southernhorseman2006]

Thank you!

[@christinavidal2935]

WOW!!! Thank you for posting this! Best I'v seen so far! I'm in Linville visiting and will go to Wiseman's View today!!!

[@cherryvillerunner]

This video is one of the best I've seen!! Awesome! I want to buy a drone for this reason. Love Linville Gorge!!

[@TBcinema]

I was tasked to film this as a promo for the area from a local group. However, the project fell through. 4 years ago when this was filmed, I reached out to both the local airports and the ranger station for permission to fly here to cover my bases. I was given permission to fly from both parties for a short duration. At no point did I exceed the elevation of Table Rock. You can even see where it hit the height limit while rounding the corner. The airport let me know that there was a recreational flight buffer above the gorge. Something like 1000 vertical feet above the highest point along with other buffers as well if I recall correctly. At no point was I within 1000 v. ft of any other air traffic. There was no local traffic at that time per the local airports. Times and rules have changed in the recent years. The permission I recieved at the time is not likely to be granted nowadays. I appreciate your concern for the safety of the wilderness, outdoorsfolks, aviators, and the hobby itself.

[@adamthestimator]

WHO downvoted this? Are you kidding me?!?

[@TBcinema]

Hi UGotta, Some people don't get how to read. My flight was with permission from NC rangers and the two closest airports.. Hey you! I'm glad you found my video. I hope you're doing okay. This is a weird time for sure. I received permission to fly here on that day for roughly 20 minutes. The rangers and atc folks I spoke to had no issue and said "I could proceed" without incident. I understand that new rules make this kind of flight unacceptable. However, at the time, I did 110 % of what I should have done. Take a look at the disclaimer in the description for more pertinent information from that time in drone aviation. I'd be happy to talk through my procedures if you'd still like to talk :)

[@adamthestimator]

TBcinema Par for the course. Nice vid. I watched it on the big screen, and there was much ohh’ing and ahhh’ing from the family. We’re in NC and have been there, but never from that perspective. Nice vid!

[@TrailVenture_TV]

Hello, I'm reaching out to get permission to use this footage for a video I'm putting together. I need some drone footage of Linville and the surrounding area. but with current restrictions that is impossible. feel free to reach out with any questions. Thanks Daniel.

[@adventureswithryan5474]

Great job on this video! It's to bad that drones are not allowed to fly in the gorge anymore. I would be interested in plugging in a couple clips of this video into a small promotional video I'm making. Please let me know if that is possible. Thanks

[@mikeh1808]

Well done. Last shot was really good.

[@bobunderwood6312]

Very beautiful and loving survey og the southern cliffs of Shortoff. Hikers and climbers have a set of names for the features on those cliffs..Piano Rock, Crack of Doom, Descent Gully. You covered them well. Altho they are no as dramatic, hikers and explorers could use a survey of the north end of the cliffs of Shortoff. Trail does not run right on the edge but is old login road set back in the fo r est. Therfore many interesting rock features are missed by most hikers and aerial survey would help to see things otherwise hidden. As you fly over you will see a pond on top of the mountain...rarely dry. Thanks for your beautiful video.

[@SantaCruzGal65]

Beautiful.

[@naturein4kbypaulking420]

Great video. Love it !

[@richardklovec5675]

Gorgeous

[@adameldin6919]

Great Work!

[@Raychristofer]

Wow this exceptional. I actually think this kind of footage is more suited to an airplane type drone, probably would be able to operate for longer periods and glide using just one motor instead of four. but also more dangerous to land in the rugged area now that I think of it.

[@bigtarheelfan]

AMAZING!

[@bkbarrier]

Illegal to fly drones there. I am also a remote pilot (FAA) and would live to do the same but there are steep fines if they enforce it...Rock On!

[@TBcinema]

That morning, I had called the smaller airports in the area prior to flying for approval and intentions. They made no mention of any issues, ramifications, etc for my briefed flight. This was also at a time before things really got controlled/regulated in more recent years. Definitely wouldn't get away with it now, but I'm glad that I could show this beautiful place to people who may never get a chance to see it for real.

[@jetkrazee]

Well done!

[@TheOceanJames]

Was the music from free music archive free?

[@TacoCrisma]

Pretty sure Letchworth is the Grand Canyon of the East.

[@bradleyhager5756]

That's just a bunch of shit stained rocks with a river. Nowhere the height or beauty of linville gorge

[@DoggoKarondo]

Wow

[@ericjones4183]

Drones are not permitted in Wilderness Areas. No motors are allowed at anytime. Doesn't matter what nearby airports tell you. Contact the rangers next time before you launch.

[@TBcinema]

I was tasked to film this as a promo for the area from a local group. However, the project fell through. 4 years ago when this was filmed, I reached out to both the local airports and the ranger station for permission to fly here to cover my bases. I was given permission to fly from both parties for a short duration. At no point did I exceed the elevation of Table Rock. You can even see where it hit the height limit while rounding the corner. The airport let me know that there was a recreational flight buffer above the gorge. Something like 1000 vertical feet above the highest point along with other buffers as well if I recall correctly. At no point was I within 1000 v. ft of any other air traffic. There was no local traffic at that time per the local airports. Times and rules have changed in the recent years. The permission I recieved at the time is not likely to be granted nowadays. I appreciate your concern for the safety of the wilderness, outdoorsfolks, aviators, and the hobby itself.

[@brittanybeggs7048]

He DID contact the rangers. Maybe you shouldn’t be an asshole to people before you know the situation?

[@citabriaable]

Way to be an asshat.

[@jameslitzinger1037]

No permission needed. Per the FAR AIM it is “requested” you remain 2,000 feet above the highest point in the preserve that is within 2,000 feet of the aircraft. Key word being “requested”....not required. Now it becomes the “ just because you can doesn’t mean you should” argument. Can you fly there without permission, yes you can because it’s not a requirement to stay at 2,000 feet...it’s a request. Now, SHOULD you fly there? probably not because it’s protected for a reason. Gotta see both sides.

[@forestgreenorgangeekclaire8629]

WOW!!!!!

[@allaboutsandcastles8173]

Would like to use 2o seconds or so of your footage in a non-profit video. Is that possible? How can I contact you

[@alblue9572]

gods country

[@alblue9572]

home

[@selc]

This is gorgeous footage! We'd love to be able to share it on instagram (@southernenvironment) in order to bring some peace to everyone's timeline. We'll definitely give you credit and compensation if you'd be willing to give us permission!

[@TBcinema]

Sure thing. Shoot me an email

[@andrewbelfi7503]

your breaking the law and pissing hikers off. there is a reason I go to the Gorge and listening to a drone is not one of them

[@citabriaable]

Bite somebody