Our original Masterclass was to Periana, all the way back in 2016.ย Weโve been back 15 times since.ย The trip is hosted by Alan Proto, PhantomFlightSchool Founder, and Steve Lowery, professional photographer, and qualified drone pilot. Steve has made Andalucia his home, so he knows the area incredibly well and speaks fluent Spanish.ย Expect magnificent flying locations; excellent weather; superb accommodation; and expert commercial-pilot focused tuition.
What you wonโt find anywhere else: Serious commercial drone advice from serious commercial drone pilots, who've been there, done that, made mistakes, and want to share their knowledge with you.
At a Glance
Masterclass leader: Alan Proto
Local Guide: Steven Lowery
Base Camp: Periana, Andalucรญa, Spain
Skill level: This trip is aimed at commercial drone pilots, looking to broaden their flying, photography, videography and post-production skills, as well as brushing up on drone law, drone surveying, and drone inspection
Timing: April and October, when the light is at its best, and the temperature is cooler than in high Summer
Exertion: Light
Payment: ยฃ500 deposit required with booking, balance payable 90 days before trip
Whatโs included:
- Flying with fellow drone enthusiasts in some incredible flying locations
- Maximum group size 6
- Expert flying support from a PFS PfCO qualified pilot
- Return transfers from Malaga Airport to the Villa
- Single person en-suite high quality accommodation
- All breakfasts
- All transport during the trip
- Daily toolbox talks from Alan
Whatโs not included:
- Flights to destination
- Meals & drinks not mentioned
- Travel and drone insurance
Set high on a hillside outside the village of Periana, about an hour North of Malaga in Andalucia, our base is a Casa La Negra, a splendid villa with six bedrooms for guests, spacious grounds, a shady terrace, a swimming pool, good wi-fi and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
Each morning and afternoon we will visit an outstanding area of natural beauty, in order to fly our drones. All have been carefully selected by our expert local guide Steve Lowery.
This trip is aimed at commercial drone pilots, and those aspiring to become commercial drone pilots.ย You can do your GVC with us on this Masterclass, for an extra charge of just ยฃ249.ย As well as flying in excellent hard-to-find locations every day, there will be daily tool box talks from Alan, explaining how to maximise your income from drone flying, and how to broaden your skill-set to include drone surveying and drone inspection work.
During our previous trips, over the courseย of a trip we flew a total of more than 100 batteries between us. Planning flights together, acting as observers for each other, learning to use Intelligent Flight Mode, figuring out which camera settings worked best. The learning curve for everyone was a steep and fulfilling one.
DAY 1
Arrive at Malaga airport before 3 pm, for transfer to the villa in our own minibus.ย ย Early evening:ย first flying opportunity, around the villa.ย Dinnerย on theย terrace atย the villa.
DAY 2
Morning: Flying skills check-up; flying site safety briefing; flying technique tune-up. Afternoon: flying over a beautiful ruined farmhouse sitting in a saddle between two mountains covered in olive groves.ย Drinks and dinner in the neighbouring village of Periana
DAY 3
Morning: Working on flying skills at the villa, including DJI Go app tutorial, how to get your camera settings right for best results, and using Intelligent Flight Mode.ย Afternoon: Flying high in the mountains in the nearby National Park, with amazing views in every direction. Drinks and dinner in the neighbouring village of Periana
DAY 4
A trip north to a magnificent, deserted group of three lakes set in the spectacular mountainous countryside. Drinks and a barbecue on the terrace at the Villa
DAY 5
Morning: Filming over a beautiful dry riverbed. Afternoon, flying alongside amazing orange-hued rock faces and over a deep gorge in the nearby National Park. Final Dinner at the best restaurant in the area, โEl Charcoโ overlooking the beautiful Lake Vinuela.
DAY 6
Return to Malaga airport for 11am for return flights to UK
Our base for this Masterclass is the fabulous Casa La Negra, tucked away up a steep drive, in the hills above the town of Periana, an hourโs drive North of Malaga.ย This place is Good Karma in a bottle.ย The views in every direction are majestic.ย Mountains behind.ย Olive groves and sweeping views across the valley below.ย There is a swimming pool.ย A large lounge with an HD TV where you can review and discuss images and video, and participate in Tool Box talks and Post-Processing sessions with your Expert Drone Pilot guides.ย An indoor dining space that works perfectly for breakfast.ย A huge shaded veranda where we gather for sundowners and to discuss the successes we have enjoyed that day.ย Well tended lawns, beautiful beds of Rosemary, two magnificent fig trees (the fruit are delicious, plucked straight from the tree, in the Autumn), and even an outdoor gym and table tennis table.
Each Masterclass client has single-occupancy of a spacious double-room with ensuite bathroom.ย All rooms have a wonderful view of the mountains or the valley.
Meals
We will take all breakfasts and most lunches at the Villa.ย For dinner, we will visit the pick of the best restaurants in the area.ย Dining outside in the town square in Periana is always wonderful.ย Driving up the mountain to eat at a local restaurant where the owner greets us as locals (Steve lives here, after all) with a view to die for, fantastic.ย We know this trip is about drone flying.ย But actually, this one is also about having an authentic experience of a part of Spain unspoilt by tourists, with a local expert as our guide.ย Expect to spend around โฌ20 for dinner each night, without drinks.ย Note this is not included in the cost of the Masterclass.
Partners
Partners are welcome on this Masterclass.ย There are two options here:
Stay in the Villa and join the Masterclass for meals and down time - accommodation supplement just ยฃ100
Join the Masterclass group as we visit stunning locations every day.ย Bring your DSLR, enjoy the views, and improve your photography with guidance from our Professional Photographer - pay 50% of full Masterclass cost.ย An experience not to be missed