Cory Fechner Posts

Play Pac-Man through the streets of Duluth

You can play Pac-Man through the streets of Duluth on Google Maps. Cruise up Lake Avenue chomping pellets and speed down Superior Street trying to avoid Pinky, Blinky, Inky and Clyde. Click here or the image above to chomp away.

This works on desktop computers only, not mobile devices.

2015 NCAA Men’s Hockey Championship

2015 NCAA Division Men’s Hockey Championship

The UMD Bulldogs drew the Minnesota Gophers in the first round of the NCAA National Hockey Championship Playoffs. The ‘Dogs have faced the Gophers four times this season, winning three and losing one. They play 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 27, at Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, N.H., on ESPNU/WatchESPN.  Go Bulldogs!

Toast to the Land of 10,000 by Gabe Douglas

Uncle Harvey’s Mausoleum sinking

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Oh Snap. Uncle Harvey’s Mausoleum (a.k.a “The Cribs” a.k.a “Duluth Ice House”) seems to be melting away this winter.  First the column went missing a few weeks ago and now the whole house seems to be doomed. Let’s hope Lake Superior Aquaman can fix this?

John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon 2015 Video

The PDD drone, piloted by Cory Fechner (liftoffaerials.com) was at the start of the 2015 John Beargrease Sled Dog marathon yesterday to shoot aerial footage. There were other drones at the starting line so we ventured out into the woods to capture the mushers a quarter-mile into the race.

Music: “Guit. Ditty” by Hattie Peterson from Twenty3 Years Into 4teen Songs.

Trampled by Turtles live Pandora private studio performance

Duluth’s own Trampled by Turtles perform songs from their latest album, Wild Animals, for Pandora Live at 25th Street Recording in Oakland, Calif., on Oct. 23.

FAA could release commercial drone regulations by end of 2014

drone-video-photograpgy The expected release of new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) regulations later this month and the recent commercial drone incident with TGI Friday’s in New York (TGI Friday’s Dumb Mistletoe Drone Cut Somebody’s Face Open) have me thinking about the future of commercial drone use. Perfect Duluth Day has been somewhat on the forefront of the use of drones since I purchased a quadcopter capable of shooting photography and video back in 2013.

Duluth Drone Regulations duluth

Current FAA Drone Guidelines

I utilize my 4 drones (DJI s800evo, Tarot FY680 Pro, DJI Phantom 2 Vision & Vision 2+) to shoot content for digital media, which has drawn attention beyond PDD via the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, MPR and also Duluth news outlets. I was contacted by the Federal Aviation Administration in early 2014 after shooting the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon and told I was in violation of FAA regulations because my footage was considered commercial.

I won’t get into the specifics of what the current regulations entail, but needless to say they are bit vague and need clarification. The National Transportation Safety Board felt the same way, dismissing multiple instances in which the FAA fined UAV operators $10,000 for commercial operation. There has been kind of a wild west approach to commercial use of UAVs since then, with little risk of citations or fines until the new regulations are released.

Duluth Target discount store opens in 1962

Duluth Target Store 1962

Built in 1962, the Duluth Target store was one of four Targets built in the company’s inaugural year. Roseville was the first store; the other two opened in St. Louis Park and Crystal. Target President Doug Dayton said the new stores would, “combine the best of the fashion world with the best of the discount world, a quality store with quality merchandise at discount prices, and a discount supermarket.”

Aerial Tour of Fall on the North Shore of Lake Superior

Aerial Footage by Liftoff Aerials. Music by Sarah Krueger.

Trampled by Turtles : Tiny Desk Concerts from NPR

Outside Magazine “Best Outdoor City” segment on MSNBC

“… but it’s cold! How on earth did Duluth become the number one city?”

Aerial fly over of Thomson Dam near Jay Cooke State Park

Drone fly over of the Thomson Dam and Munger Trail foot bridge on the St. Louis River near the entrance of Jay Cooke State Park. This is also home to the UMD Outdoor Program Outpost on the St. Louis River/Thomson Reservoir.
Aerial Footage by www.liftoffaerials.com

See more Duluth Drone VideosClick Here

Alaska Brooks Falls – Bear and Salmon Cam



Great nature cam setup in Katmai National Park in Alaska to watch Brown bear feed themselves on Sockeye Salmon. More than a hundred Brown Bears stalk a mile stretch of the Brooks River to snack on the world’s largest Sockeye Salmon run.

Glensheen Mansion Aerial Flyover 2014

This drone flyover of Glensheen Mansion was shot June 3. The footage is by Liftoff Aerials.

Trampled by Turtles – “Are You Behind the Shining Star?”

TBT music video for the new album ‘Wild Animals’ first single, “Are You Behind the Shining Star?”