This is drone control to Major Tom (Brady)

Boston.com/Hilary Sargent

By Adam Vaccaro and Hilary Sargent

May 29, 2015

1 minute to read

Patriots offseason workouts got aerial Friday, as a drone outfitted with a camera hovered overhead.

Patriots VP of Media Relations Stacey James told Boston.com the drone was used as a “football initiative,’’ to provide another perspective on practice. James said it was the first time he was aware of that a drone was used to film practice. The team also uses videographers who are positioned on raised platforms.

While today was the first time the Patriots used a drone to film games, it wasn’t the first time a flying craft flew overhead while players were on the field. In December 1979, a radio-controlled model airplane flown during halftime of a Patriots-Jets game at Shea Stadium struck a fan in the head, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. The fan later died from his injuries.

The drone used Friday landed safely.

The Dallas Cowboys also filmed offseason practices with drones earlier this week. UCLA football and the PGA Tour have also used drone technology in recent years.

Asked what advantage the drone footage might give to the team, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said: “I don’t know.’’