People walking along the Presumpscot River bank in Westbrook last Friday may have noticed a small, unmanned aerial vehicle flying overhead.

The craft, which looks like a helicopter, is manned by Rob Mitchell, and carries a small video operated by his partner, Chris Trafford. They’re the owners of HoverFlow aerial photography and videos business.

It works like this: Mitchell remotely flies the helicopter while Trafford, watching on a video monitor, directs him where to go for the best shots.

“When I’m flying the helicopter I don’t see any of the visuals. On the days the helicopter is acting up and I’m having a hard time flying it, I’ll say to Chris, ‘Let’s get out of here,’ and he’ll say, ‘Just one more minute,’” said Mitchell. “Later, I’ll look at the footage or see the end product and it’s just amazing.”

The two avid kayakers started using the craft as a way to capture their paddling adventures. Mitchell said he’s spent close to $40,000 and hundreds of hours of research developing the platform, but so far the outcome has been worth it.

“We’ve shot a few commercials so far and some real estate,” he said.

The same technology is used by the Discovery Channel for obtaining aerial shots like many used in the popular series “Planet Earth.”

Eventually, the two would like to market their technology to be used commercially, but for now Federal Aviation Administration has rules and regulations in place that don’t allow commercial use.

Mitchell hopes someday in the next year those rules will change, but for now the duo’s business is more for fun. Anytime the helicopter is in the air near Portland, the police are contacted and the FAA is aware when they launch the craft near the Portland Jetport, just in case.

There are also rules that say how high the craft can fly – 600 feet in the air. The machine can operate six inches off the ground, as well, with no shaking no matter the height.

Mitchell and Trafford shot pictures and filmed a short video for the American Journal, which can be viewed at www.keepmecurrent.com/american_journal.

– Suzanne Hodgson