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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Aerial Cinematography

Cool! Thanks Wendell.

I have a question for you. What is the best way to get started if my long-term goal is to be a professional helical pilot flying the EPIC at maybe 12 pounds total weight with lens?

Can you recommend a great starter set up that I could use to safely fly a Nikon D3100 with lightweight lens?

-michael zaletel
 
Getting a helicopter from England during this week and will make my report later about it.
 
Michael,

Assuming you don't have any previous experience flying, the best place to start would be to purchase a computer flight simulator. One of the more popular ones is: http://www.realflight.com/

It is not exactly like flying the real thing but allows you to make a million mental errors and learn orientation without costing a small fortune in repairs.

Once you can fly the simulator in every possible orientation with ease I would then look at purchasing the helicopter. There are very few turn-key options available to carry cameras and most are retrofits. I would start by just buying any popular electric powered model (no camera mount) and spend the next couple of years making real mistakes before putting an expensive camera on it. It is a great idea to find an experienced local pilot to mentor you also.

It is surprising to many that it is considerably more difficult to become proficient with a remotely piloted helicopter than a full size. The main reason being is you only have one sense (vision) to aid in flying the RC version while you have this and all your others available when you find yourself sitting in the larger version. Left is always on your left for example.

Unless this is something you have a incredible burning desire to do, from a practical standpoint you would be time and money ahead to just hire someone to fly for you and focus on what you are already good at. At the moment only the best and most experienced pilots are able to consistently produce high quality footage using this process.
 
Wendell,

Thanks for the post...Very ironic, we had just looked at some aerial options for the Final Four today. Do you know anything about DJI USA...It seems they have some rigs that had been built for a production company shooting for Discovery...

I think based on our discussions and their input, gas-powered was our preference. We are bookmarking your site.

Thanks again...
 
Jack,

DJI USA is mostly a distributor for one of the more popular autopilot systems for remotely piloted helicopters. From time to time they highlight companies that are using their autopilot unit on the DJI website.

Over the years we have accumulated different types of gas and electric powered platforms, big and small, for different situations. The latest is a large tethered blimp equipped with a gyro stabilized camera mount that we acquired recently for traffic studies due to its ability to remain aloft for hours at a time. For smaller weight cameras, I think it might be a really good fit for B roll shots of outdoor concerts and sporting events. Scarlet would be a perfect.

Thanks
 
Wendell,

You're right about DJI, their autopilot looks pretty impressive. The Discovery guys used the Halo with that DJI equipment from what I understand. I'll give you a call when we get closer to platform decisions. Would definitely value your experience and insight from previous systems.

We are thinking however, about mounting an EPIC (I don't think I can wait for the scarlet). I'm super interested in the in-field "M"s right now and the lens and power options the guys are using in the tests. Trying to better understand minimum weight configs to see if a UAV mount is possible.

With regards to DJI, they discussed building us an entire helicopter - turnkey. I'm still spec'ing it out but will keep you posted.

As for practice, we've got one of the Rexall Pronto CX RC's. Thankfully, we've only seriously crashed it a few times (fly bar damage and such). I'm getting good at maintenance on that thing. You're right...the lack of all senses takes getting use to on an RC v an actual helicopter. For about $300 it's pretty reasonable "flight school" with spare batteries and spare parts.

Thanks again, we appreciate your input.
 
Ryan,

I've done some research. I would be very cautious about the DF...I have heard that it doesn't quite meet expectations of published feature sets. It was the first "bird" we found in our initial investigation as well...but more research has convinced me not to invest in this aircraft.

More importantly, I found the forum for that product on the web, and WOW, you should read some of the really PO'd owners...My impression was -- over hyped capabilities, under-delivered performance, and a thin support staff - thanks but we have your money and we don't care about the customers.

Also, ballpark numbers are about $18K for that beast...However, I'm getting quotes for around $10K for a system that may carry the epic (not confirmed yet - but it is close).

As we get closer to our investment decision, I'm taking Wendell up on his offer to pick his brain on our configuration and platform decisions...(mfg, gas v. electric, gps, etc)

I would research DF some more...I'll think you'll be surprised what you find...
 
We use these GPS controlled octocopters.
It can fly by pre-programmed route by uploaded waypoints and GPS auto hover.

For image stabilization we use Mocha.

http://www.quadrocopter.us/index.php

okto2.jpg


droidworx_banner.jpg
 
Jack Cooper said:
Ryan,

I've done some research. I would be very cautious about the DF...I have heard that it doesn't quite meet expectations of published feature sets. It was the first "bird" we found in our initial investigation as well...but more research has convinced me not to invest in this aircraft.

More importantly, I found the forum for that product on the web, and WOW, you should read some of the really PO'd owners...My impression was -- over hyped capabilities, under-delivered performance, and a thin support staff - thanks but we have your money and we don't care about the customers.

Also, ballpark numbers are about $18K for that beast...However, I'm getting quotes for around $10K for a system that may carry the epic (not confirmed yet - but it is close).

As we get closer to our investment decision, I'm taking Wendell up on his offer to pick his brain on our configuration and platform decisions...(mfg, gas v. electric, gps, etc)

I would research DF some more...I'll think you'll be surprised what you find...
Click to expand...

The reason why I even know about these guys is that they are local, and have heard nothing but great things. Interesting that you've heard otherwise though! I doubt I will every buy one, it's one of those things that you would have to dedicate a lot of time practicing.
 
Andrew....That's an awesome looking rig....

Ryan, that is interesting...I am only going by the obvious discord in the user forum -- about 190 complaints in the X6 section. Other professionals aren't very kind in their assessment of its performance. I am finally getting the hang of controls on my trainer...
 
Hi Andrew, Just curious, do you need experience flying rc helicopters to use this? It looks like a $10 to 12 K investment, without camera and lens, sure would hate to crash it. :yikes:
Also, what kind of camera do you guys use with it?

Andrew M. said:
We use these GPS controlled octocopters.
It can fly by pre-programmed route by uploaded waypoints and GPS auto hover.

For image stabilization we use Mocha.

http://www.quadrocopter.us/index.php

okto2.jpg


droidworx_banner.jpg
Click to expand...
 
Terry Wester said:
Hi Andrew, Just curious, do you need experience flying rc helicopters to use this? It looks like a $10 to 12 K investment, without camera and lens, sure would hate to crash it. :yikes:
Also, what kind of camera do you guys use with it?
Click to expand...

Terry, if you ever flown the RC something (airplane or Helicopter even a small toy) you will be able to manage.

If not, you need to buy http://www.realflight.com/ and put some 200 hours of training on it.

You do not want to use any new camera on it. Buy used and older versions.
Once you have good experience you can put even EPIC.

Usually you crash it at low impact. It has easy replaceable arms with props. Most of the time you will replace one or two props when hard landing or crashing on some tree.
 
XAircraft X650 four rotor aircraft with GH2

XAircraft X650 four rotor aircraft with GH2

Sanjin Jukic said:
Getting a helicopter from England during this week and will make my report later about it.
Click to expand...


My quadcopter has been arrived from England!!!

quadcopter_gh2_wide.jpg

XAircraft X650 four rotor aircraft with GH2.

I'll post later more about it at DVXUSER.

Stay tuned...
 
If you want something very durable and all snap on.
Here is German one we have as well.
Arms are plug in and locked with the screw.
All aluminum and carbon fibre.
Up to 60 miles per hour. 3000 feet Alt.
Altitude lock with 1" accuracy.
GPS position lock.
Waypoints pre-programed route flying.
Follow me option, will follow the car or runner at locked altitude.
520 lines TV channels and two audio channels downlink.
Hexa completely installed with all components flown, tested and.
2 batteries 4S 4000 mA
Charging cable for Hexa-battery and the ground station
Data Link on 868 MHz for telemetry and waypoint-control.
Camera frame (MK-shop) with roll + nick compensation.
KX 191 camera module for operation FPV
Video Transmitter 900 MHz 500 mW
Portable ground station with video, telemetry and OSD
ready to connect to Video Glasses / Monitor / PC.
RC- Radio Multiplex Jeti 2,4 GHz with Return channel and display
for Flight information.
45 minutes flight time with two batteries.

8K Euros.
Spare arm with motor 300 Euros.


picture.php
 
Sanjin Jukic said:
My quadcopter has been arrived from England!!!

XAircraft X650 four rotor aircraft with GH2.

I'll post later more about it at DVXUSER.

Stay tuned...
Click to expand...

Sanjin, you want 8 arms or 8 props for expensive cameras.
If one motor will quit you are still flying.
 
Andrew M. said:
Sanjin, you want 8 arms or 8 props for expensive cameras.
If one motor will quit you are still flying.
Click to expand...

Andrew,

basic idea is a sort of start up development with XX-copters carrying a light cameras just to prepare for a future use of Scarlet on a similar devices...
 
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