When One Mistake Changed Everything.

In the high-pressure world of aerial cinematography, even a single misstep can threaten a project’s success. This is exactly what happened to Rodrigo Branco Matsumoto, Chief Remote Pilot at Sky Perth, during a critical commercial construction shoot.

 

Everything was in place. The plan was precise, the client was ready, and the sun was just breaking over the site.

 

Rodrigo powered on his drone, but it wouldn’t fly. The aircraft connected to the controller, but the system threw an error: the battery firmware was incompatible with the newly updated drone firmware, an issue Rodrigo hadn’t encountered before.

 

The aircraft was grounded.

 

This wasn’t just any shoot. The client was a large construction firm working on a high-profile development, so expectations were sky-high. At that moment, with no footage captured and the drone stuck on the ground, it looked like the entire shoot might collapse.

 

Owning the Failure.

Instead of covering up the problem or shifting blame, Rodrigo made a bold decision. He approached the client and explained the situation with complete honesty:

 

“I updated the firmware last night but didn’t test battery compatibility before this morning. That’s on me. I’d like to reschedule for tomorrow, earlier, at no extra charge. And I’ll bring a second system as a backup.”

 

The client, initially concerned, appreciated the accountability. Rodrigo left the site without footage but with a second chance, which is something many professionals might never get.

 

That night, Rodrigo conducted an exhaustive test across all equipment. Every drone, every battery, every setting. He flew test routes in low light and created a new internal protocol to prevent such an oversight in the future.

 

The next morning, he was back on site. This time, everything worked flawlessly. The drone captured wide-angle footage of cranes in motion, structure framing, and early-morning site activity bathed in golden light.

 

The client not only accepted the result but booked Sky Perth for additional work.

 

A Turning Point for Professionalism.

For Rodrigo, this was more than a recovered job. It was a professional turning point.

 

“We often prepare for wind, weather, or radio frequency interference,” Rodrigo explains.

“But we forget the most common risk is a human assumption. That day taught me never to assume a system will work just because it always has. That’s why checklists exist.”.

 

Rodrigo now leads every project at Sky Perth, emphasising protocol and contingency. This event reshaped not only his workflow but also his mindset around responsibility and growth.

 

Learning from Obstacles.

The mindset Rodrigo adopted echoes the themes in Ryan Holiday’s The Obstacle Is the Way, one of the many books that shaped his approach to leadership and setbacks.

 

“Obstacles aren’t interruptions. They’re invitations to lead better,” Rodrigo says. “That book helped me see that failing on that shoot didn’t damage my career. It redefined it.”.

 

Mistakes will happen. However, responsibility and recovery separate amateur operators from professionals.

 

The Podcast That Sparked Discussion.

Rodrigo shared this story in Episode 3 of the Above Focus podcast. The episode resonated with drone pilots and creative professionals around the world. The vulnerability, the recovery, and the lesson made it one of the most downloaded episodes.

 

Listen or watch the episode here:

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7p1iTMRQ7VnmFIkXOFOeDg

🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/above-focus/id1808833721

🎼 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com.au/podcasts/885cc003-5acf-433e-a9a8-aaa865885367/above-focus

Or watch it here:

CASA Compliance and the Role of Checklists.

This story also highlights why CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) emphasises structured, repeatable workflows for drone operations.

In Australia, CASA requires drone operators, especially those flying under a Remote Operator’s Certificate (ReOC), to implement standard operating procedures, including:

• Pre-flight checklists: confirm firmware versions, battery health, controller calibration, and geofence settings.
• Site risk assessments: to account for weather, terrain, people, and obstacles.
• Post-flight checklists: reviewing data logs, inspecting hardware, and noting irregularities.

Rodrigo now includes a firmware compatibility check on every pre-flight checklist used by Sky Perth pilots.

“A checklist isn’t about avoiding mistakes,” he says. “It’s about building a process that protects you from the ones you can’t afford to repeat.”.

Sky Perth’s safety culture has evolved to integrate these practices deeply. This is one reason the company has been trusted by brands like Netflix, AppleTV+, and Paramount+.

What This Means for Other Pilots.

Whether you’re flying recreationally or commercially, this story reinforces several universal truths:

• Preparation isn’t optional. Assume nothing. Verify everything.
• Communication is key. Clients appreciate honesty more than perfection.
• Resilience builds reputation. What matters is how you bounce back.

For any drone pilot working in Australia or globally, CASA-aligned best practices aren’t just about avoiding fines. They’re about building a standard of excellence.

Rodrigo’s journey reminds us that a mistake, handled with clarity and professionalism, can become your most powerful marketing asset.

More Insights on the Blog.

Want more on how setbacks fuel growth? Rodrigo shares more in his article: How Failing a Drone Project Made Me a Better Filmmaker.

It offers a personal dive into the inner mindset shifts required when turning failure into foundation.

Fail Forward, Fly Further.

Rodrigo’s mistake could have cost him a key client. Instead, it earned their loyalty, reshaped a business, and made him a stronger, more disciplined pilot.

“Don’t be afraid to fail,” he says. “Be afraid to avoid the lesson.”.

The team at Sky Perth now includes expanded checklists, multi-operator verification protocols, and active post-flight reporting. These aren’t just habits. They are the DNA of high-performance operations.

If you’re a drone pilot, filmmaker, or entrepreneur, let this story challenge you. To prepare better. To respond with integrity. And to keep your passion flying Above Focus.