Look! Up in the Sky! It’s ... a Drone!
Aerial Imagery Captures Diocesan Property
The enlarged photo shows a close-up of the drone hovering over the Diocesan Administration Center in Rockford on July 26. The larger image was shot in a different, cloudier part of the sky. A view of the drone in flight is posted on The Observer Catholic Newspaper Facebook page. Look for projects featuring the drone imagery in a variety of publications and websites.
Enrique Mendoza prepares to fly his drone over the Diocesan Administration Center in Rockford. One of his photos of St. Joseph in Elgin was featured in the July 22 issue of The Observer.
By Penny Wiegert, Editor
August 4, 2016

ROCKFORD—Getting a heavenly view of diocesan buildings is now easier done than said thanks to drone technology and an owner willing to offer some flight time.

Enrique Mendoza spent about an hour at the Diocesan Administration Center July 26 taking aerial video and still photography of the center.

He is the owner of Ollin Technology LLC of Elgin. His company is dedicated to providing information technology services, video production and broadcasting for live events.

A member of St. Thomas More Parish in Elgin, he is married to Margarita Mendoza, editor of El Observador and Spanish translator for the  the diocesan Office of Communication and Publications.

The drone, which he bought about two years ago, can fly about 30 minutes on one battery pack and is equipped with a homing device.

With the drone, he photographed the entire campus of the Diocesan Administration Center, even flying over Interstate 90 which runs along one side of the diocesan property.

The drone photos will be used for the Diocese of Rockford’s pages in an upcoming promotional book about the Rockford area, for the diocesan website, directory and other promotional opportunities for the diocese. The drone may also be used in the future at large diocesan events.