Exile - Chernobyl/Pripyat

I get to do and see many amazing things these days. Each adventure is bringing something to a new level, being more extreme, trying something new. The Ukraine trip was different though. I just knew in my soul that visiting the Chernobyl exclusion site was going to effect me in a way I couldn't grasp.... and it did. You will "never" understand the scale of the situation unless you visit it. You will never get the feeling of what has happened unless you visit it and you will never understand just how much mankind can fuck up unless you visit it. It was truly a humbling time for me. The moment I first got altitude to see the size of everything it blew me away, the way mother nature is taking back what once was hers is quite a unique site and the shear lack of animals was eerie.
Thank you to all those who made this trip of a lifetime possible and thank you to the locals who who made our stay so welcoming.
The Ukraine Association of Drone Racing
www.chernobylzo...
Music:
Shadows by Christoffer Franzen
Parts used:
FatShark Dominator HDV2 googles
LaForge receiver
ImmersionRC 600mw 5.8 VTX
Spironet antenna
HS-1177 with 2.5mm lens
Alien 5" frame
KISS FC
Tattu Top Pilot 1300 4s battery
KISS 24a
Lumenier 2206 2350kv
HQ 5x4x3 Glass Nylon
FrSky Taranis (5db antenna mod) with X4R receiver running S.Bus
GoPro 4 Silver

[@ArmattanQuads]

Holy crap.... Really? This is by far the BEST flying video ever... Let alone the incredible skills of the pilot... This is not just about FPV and flying guys.... Chad is onto something.... I raise my hat....

[@pop-popfpv237]

Trail blazing for the future of multi-rotor story telling.

[@StacemanFPV]

I really don't get the dislikes of these videos here lately... What is wrong with people?!?!? This some beautiful footage, and really puts things into perspective.. Thanks for sharing FinalGlide!

[@FinalGlideAus]

Just my loyal group of haters. I treasure them like my children :)

[@bullitfx9268]

In my opinion, you didn`t made anything wrong. The Music in the Background gives me some kind of a mad feeling in a positive way. Acro-Flying is so much fun and really something essential in my life, but in my opinion it would be some kind of bad to insert something like party music or anything like that. You just hit the point with cutting, music and flightstyle. Because you didn`t made something real weired Acro-Stuff, you didn`t insert some Rage Against the Machines Music or some oder happy Music - you just hit the spot and gave me the feeling, how i would think it is if i would step my feet on the ground of chernobyl. JFYI, if there are any sentence incorrectness, i`m sorry for that. I`m from Switzerland and have maybe not the perfect english like you hear/read most of times ;-) Chad, you Rock! Keep doin`what you `re doin and dont change yourself to something, that you don`t be. I like the way you are and wish you all the best. Hope you guys join me in Switzerland Someday. I`ve some freakin Nice Spots to show ya`! ;-)

[@m_schifter]

There are no dislikes on his videos, what are you even talking about?

[@StacemanFPV]

Are you blind?

[@alexpolakis2016]

there are only 4 dislikes on thus video..

[@UAVfutures]

crazy, The feeling of flying somewhere with zero life around yet still surrounded by its shadows, Like ghosts from the past. Really nice edit chad. Thanks for sharing

[@thepalmpilot3g]

I totally agree with you Chad. There is an eerie sense of peace there that is almost haunting. The complete emptiness you feel when your there knowing 1000's of people just left never to return. Now the the Fukushima event taking place it makes me wonder just how the world is going to cope with that situation. Consistently glossed over in the news and the numbers speak for themselves. Great video and excellent perspective on how the area feels today. Keep up the great and inspiring work to all of you at RR.

[@SiggyNowak]

Wow. Tears. So pleased that you gave us the chance to share in your experience. Thank you.

[@Znatnhos]

Most people never get to experience something so life changing. That feeling when it starts to set in... the perspective shift... the sense of realization and sudden understanding as you take a step back from the mundane and finally get a sense of what the bigger picture looks like... Beautiful video and beautiful flying, Chad.

[@Z2m8l0]

Music, flying site and smooth style really comes together this time. I really like the atmosphere of this video. One of the best quad videos I've ever seen

[@DaniPacha]

incredible video Chad! !!!! very smooth and emotional !

[@NunoFlyer]

Es verdade :)

[@captbuscemi]

Such a tragic story in a beautiful part of the world. Thanks for another elegant and respectful treatment, letting the landscape speak for itself.

[@MSFloriandel]

My first impression was that the laughter at the beginning is quite unaproptiate. But after 10 seconds i was in a different world. Born in Bavaria 82 i can still lievely remember, when my mom told to me to stay away from out backyard sand box and not to eat certain fruits in the garden. The time when the fallout was covered big areas across central Europe in early May. I now want to say that Chad is obviously a exceptional pilot but also a quite artistic talent. This video capable of catching the indeed very tragic scenery in amazing pictures along with a 100% fitting music. Thanks to Chad and his Team ! Such a piece of Art is worth your efforts and maybe some sacrafices. Greets

[@JonDaviesIsHere]

I don't comment very often Chad (+FinalGlideAus), but that was quite an amazing emotive video edit of some amazing flying, in an area of significant historic note. Thanks :')

[@pop-popfpv237]

Your description, along with the flight footage, gave me goose bumps. I particularly liked the Ferris wheel. It was like your spins wanted the wheel to start moving. Sad in a way. Very powerful stuff Chad. Best to date.

[@helomike7000]

I tip my hat to you guys for having the guts to go there! Showing the results of what can happen when things go wrong might push us a little harder towards solar and wind as alternative power sources... I hope so, anyway...

[@appleknocker]

absolutely stunning man. this is award winning material you've got going here. I am in awe of the power coming from the edit. you are building a story of our time in a way not seen before. keep it up

[@phoenixfpv9391]

Beautiful! Very smooth and flowing. I truly enjoy and appreciate how you expertly mix the music to your cuts. That adds so much depth to your videos. I especially loved the high altitude yaw rotation you did at the beginning. Seeing how immense the area is, is eye opening.

[@rwdesigner]

That video is incredibly eerie. I've known about Chernobyl for a long time, but this footage really made me understand the effects. And the huge antenna array just for detecting nuclear launches... oh my, the depths of humanity's insanity...

[@klx300rider]

Absolutely beautiful. Great job on the editing. The whole video gave such a powerful tone and such deep meaning. Much respect Chad. Thank you. 👍🏼

[@theskywalker8287]

Woow!! This must be the best fpv video ever! The music with the location and the flying... This is just epic.

[@Phiqtional]

This has to be one of the best FPV videos I have seen to date. It's so frickin dreamy I love it! I was so immersed in the surrounding view and mesmerized by your flight path I actually forgot I was watching drone footage. You set the standard Mr Chad. My respect to you for always keeping it real. Thanks for the awesome ride.

The first part was soooo scaring! with the "radiation detector"... Thanks Chad... you inspire me!

[@justinp3653]

That first shot coming down the drive and climbing to see the whole town was amazing. I've seen documentaries on Chernobyl but that had to have been one of the best pieces of footage ever made that describes what that place would be like. Awesome stuff chad.

[@atmofpv9085]

A holistic package production showing a perspective of an Earth drama that many forget via a medium that isnt often associated with cinematography; go the miniquad.

[@regexpert3237]

It's amazing to see nature taking back an entire area. Even more so since it's so contaminated.

[@TomSmithFPV]

Great video, You can feel it. But 3mins was all to short I felt like it was still building up. look forward to seeing some more

[@jedijeremy]

Even before reading the description, I could feel your sense of wonder about the place in the way you flew. Just soaking it all in. Thanks, you made me feel like I was there. Better, like I was a superbirdplane that was there! Love the "ferris wheels", and the editing.

[@pagrichard]

I can only imagine the feeling of those who were exposed to this scenario and had to abandon everything and probably be affected for the rest of their lives.

[@preludefpv]

Terrifying place but a beautiful video. Really enjoyed this one, there's a bit of everything in it. Location, flight & music give the portrayal of a desolate emotion. Perfect 😇

[@TylerBrackin]

What a great edit sir. you did very well capturing the beautiful tragedy of this location. thank you for sharing this touching footage of what once was a glorious place.

[@emptysoul13]

Incredible perspective. Much appreciation to you and the crew taking time to put this together and sharing your journey. I know it was a massive disaster but seeing this way really shows the magnitude of it.

[@mpbiv421]

Amazing. Even just watching this, I felt chills run down my spine. I've seen a lot of eerie footage and pictures from Chernobyl but I think this one takes the cake. This really adds a lot of perspective and shows the magnitude of the situation, the shear amount of desolation is not obvious from a ground level. A lot of lives changed on that day. Imagine if you could going back to 1986 before the event, and being able to get those same shots FPV, they would be so different. Thanks for sharing this footage.

[@David__]

Wow... what a surreal experience! This is certainly a fantastic medium for story telling. Beautiful footage & editing + music selection too :)

[@officer02]

Its so much better and more enjoying to watch you fly smooth than always flipping, Great Video!!

[@4xprops457]

Your flying skills are out of this world! Great job man.

[@19GHD85]

Such an epic masterpiece. The footage and the music fits perfect to a place like this. Congrats!

[@taterchipfpv9162]

Amen Brother! And you presented the video in a truly haunting and respectful way! Kudos FGA from The Duke!

[@jimmyqballs]

The rolls around the Ferris Wheel are something else!

[@Foxor83]

Very serene. Nice music choice and editing. Best video to date!

[@getahobby1990]

Very artistic! Love the music and how smooth your flying style was, great stuff!

[@pil6666]

Chad! hi from sunny Israel... i enjoy your videos the most you inspire me....thank you so much!

[@kalairbo]

Cool... I loved the scenic shooting. Keep it up, you guys are amazing!

[@sea2c]

That was so surreal. Great music choice and cuts to match it.

[@Mcdonaldt001]

Breath taking stuff,Absolutely beautiful. Great work Chad

[@Turk10mm]

I'm honestly surprised that mother nature hasn't reclaimed more. 30 years is a long time. Neat experience. Next a giant sinkhole or cavern!

[@BMSWEB]

Just amazing!! Awesome work man!

[@JCQuadcopters]

agreed

[@simonwallace699]

What a great video, very sobering. It's amazing how +finalglideaus and +mr steele can do 2 videos at the same place but they end up being totally different and both are great to watch. You guys are both showing great editing skills, it's awesome to watch. Great choice of music too.

[@zachlight9840]

Awesome video Chad! Great flying as usual

[@skynyrdd1]

Haunting footage, i remember when this happened, its amazing how nature has taken over, thank you for cool footage, it must have been an amazing experience to fly there.

[@sjorsikdus]

amazingly beautiful vid Chad, great job on this one!

[@rolandescher]

Truly surreal, Chad. And heartbreaking at the same time. See you in NYC!

[@grumplestache7126]

love the music selection! Great video!

[@TenguFPV]

Loved it! Your best vid yet! I am glad you did not added a lot of "desync-look alike" tricks and focused on smooth and beautiful flying

[@rotorbobfpv5140]

Amazing location and great flying as always!

[@MilitiaBrothers]

Hey Chad, I really enjoyed the vid. To me it really seemed to capture the feeling of being there. Loves it!

[@YurasikRenArnie]

In a very messed up way... this is beautiful.

[@timbell8208]

UUUUG why do your video's ALWAYS leave me wanting MORE!!!!!!

[@skitzaab1]

And this just shows that ..if you leave nature to its own ...and it can make things butiful again without humans interfering

[@seansherburne9535]

Wow! Great humbling video mate.

[@caymandiver75]

That was beautiful!!!! Thank you for sharing.

[@duinkikker]

sad, such a wonderfull place, totaly exploded, it makes me wanna cry :( its beautifull chad, looking forward to the next few vids!

[@tomfpv1982]

Perfect and straight to the point lad 👍🏻 well done

[@RCTeamAustria]

Thanks for sharing this unique footage!

[@jkflorida]

It's so amazing that you got to fly there!

[@mackhinastation]

So jealous! Thanks for sharing! Awesome vid!

[@NunoFlyer]

Great flight and emotional music!

[@adamkelly6264]

Man, this footage is amazing! What an opportunity!

[@TobermoryCat]

Poignant - amazing.

[@phil73805]

An amazing video; beautiful, haunting & respectful.

[@eric-janvandenbogaard9415]

Great flying ! Amazing footage, must be very impressive to have been there, i remember that my mother told me, when she visited the Berlin wall (when it was still there) it made a great depressing impression on her, like, the things people can do wrong.

[@strepto42]

Amazing shots mate. Must have been incredibly moving on the ground.

[@ADXMODELS]

Hopefully I was sitting on a chair when I first saw this video ! Fantastic place to flight !!!! I remember watching a tv show just few month ago about this city (for the 30th years of the accident) and thinking when I saw the dead city "My god it would be great to flight in a such place...... and you did! ......lucky you!!! I'm jealous ! :-) Thank you again for sharing such beautifull moments like that Chad (and friends) Have a nice day everybody

[@fredericgrauer7271]

greaaaat edit and flights. Ammazing really enjoy you and your videos ;)

[@dannyblondu23]

Just amazing Great flying Awesome video

[@skitzaab1]

Mate ....you so have to pack me into your suitcase for the next one ...I might be over 6 foot tall but I can bend with the force of a few guys :) ...this vid had me mesmerised..awsome work buddy

[@romancamarena]

Awesome video as usual! Not sure if they inspire me to fly better or to throw my quad to the trash and just watch videos !

[@WingFPV]

Amazing edit brother. Great work.

[@propkeeler6990]

Awesome flight just amazing

[@fsarfino]

Lovin it can't wait to see the rest of the footage from the trip chad

[@ac3inspac3]

Amazing flight man, keep it up!

[@GiacoWhatever]

Loooooove this!!!

[@ThickestSkull03]

Beautiful filming.

[@vaclavprochazka5799]

I really like your look man, you ve got the eye for photography... And omg i like how you are flying and how you tuned your quad ! + the music is matching with the mood, and the pictures not too contrasted... I can t stop Chad ! you really did a great job, thanks for sharing this, hope to meet you guys in this life :) ( did you guys wear some "balls protections" against radiations ? I would... :D

[@dpgfla]

Any molerats, feral ghouls or super mutants harmed in the making of this video? This was awesome. Can't wait to see more.

[@michaelallensteele]

Amazing. I wish it was an hour long movie. You could cover a lot of ground with a racing Acro quad. It even appears respectful for some reason (maybe the music choice). Great flying especially keeping point of reference on the wheel. Recovery would be rad! :(

[@connerprince1748]

THIS IS SICK! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

[@a.b.k.-fpv6160]

Hi Mister Nowak, It would be nice to se you covering the best/strange spots of our old continent. A Europe drone tour or something like that :-)

[@aquatecu.k.limited7075]

Beautiful.

[@henriqueeugenio2208]

Amazing! Keep the good work

[@drfter240sx]

Man soo smooth , hope I can fly like that at some point.

[@sf2372]

Holy sht hey.... I could not see one bird. awesome vid Chad.

[@TwerpZ]

Holy flying dude, Great video

[@trippyyfpv9611]

Beautiful video man.

[@wildstyles_fpv1749]

"50,000 people used to live here, now it's a ghost town"

[@guynardin]

Beautiful...

[@blackmennewstyle]

Nice video :) Looking forward to see your third arm in a couple of months :p Happy midweek

[@acdceric12345]

Beautiful man

[@Z3ro3nna]

very nice... this location is so dramatically fascinating! only one thing to say: "good hunting stalker" ;)

[@GAPiTFPV]

I heard you don't even have to charge your lipos in Chernobyl, just leave em on the porch overnight.

[@slavix]

if you connect your TX radio to this antenna, you can controll your quad in US :)

[@PIDtoolbox]

dark, beautiful

[@ZeroFPV]

How 30 years can change a place...