Project: Quadcopter Aerial Filming

[Richie-Rich]

Hey all,

I am starting a Quadcopter build this week as a platform for some Aerial Photography and Filming. To start it will be a simple First Person View (FPV) setup with a small security camera on the copter and a LCD screen on the ground which I will view to fly! It should have about a 1/2 to 1 mile range to start and just an old GoPro Original.

What I need from you guys is some riders who wouldn't mind me taking some footage of you in the canyons and maybe some video editing skills that I know are out there! I can't fly to far yet so It would have to be some planed sections of roads that would be safe to... get a little wild.

It will take many many upgrades and some experience but with the help of the CSC I think we could get some pretty awesome footage! I do have 2 years of Flying RC Planes, Jets, Helicopters. Figured id combined my two favorite hobbies!

Here is what they can do with a GoPro!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi2L9TZo9Gc

My Future Setup : )






Thanks and let me know what you think!

[Richie-Rich]

Recently made some upgrades to the TBS Discovery frame to eliminate the landing gear and props from video view!

YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RB6vpws0Nw

[WolFeYeZ]

Maybe try it out at IMI too. Could be a fun and possibly safer way to test it out.

[Native]

I'm in and I can show you my incredible homebrew editing

[Richie-Rich]

Maybe try it out at IMI too. Could be a fun and possibly safer way to test it out.

Yeah I was originally thinking it would be awesome to do at MRA events but I just don't see that happening. IMI however might be sweet!

I'm in and I can show you my incredible homebrew editing

Awesome. I used to do a lot of video editing but havn't in ages!

[guessinthe2000]

how much is one of those?

[rforsythe]

Be careful with any race track footage. Glenn has specifically said that no drones are allowed over HPR property due to insurance, others may feel the same way. Race orgs are definitely not going to underwrite it on their policies if the tracks won't.

[longrider]

Yeah I was originally thinking it would be awesome to do at MRA events but I just don't see that happening. IMI however might be sweet!

I know you will not be able to do anything at HPR. I cant remember if it was here or the MRA forum but somebody brought up the idea last year and Glenn shot it down fast. Too much liability. At least he could not say anything about me taking this picture:



Surprising how few people showed up for a drivers school...

[rforsythe]

Well, technically if you're filming next to the property he can't say anything either (or using a larger platform like a Cessna, within FAA rules), but I think any track is going to have issues with it occurring over their property. Now, what they could actually do about it may be limited to banning you for life or calling the cops and saying you were trespassing if you refused to leave, but neither of those seem worth what you'd get from it. Not to mention if some bike rider ran into your drone at 130mph, you're probably getting assaulted after the medics clear them.

[longrider]

Well, technically if you're filming next to the property he can't say anything either (or using a larger platform like a Cessna, within FAA rules), but I think any track is going to have issues with it occurring over their property. Now, what they could actually do about it may be limited to banning you for life or calling the cops and saying you were trespassing if you refused to leave, but neither of those seem worth what you'd get from it. Not to mention if some bike rider ran into your drone at 130mph, you're probably getting assaulted after the medics clear them.

Now you wouldn't be referring to me, would you???

[rforsythe]

Noooo.....

(Goes to dig up the pictures we got while I was piloting a C-182 over Miller some years back...)

[Richie-Rich]

how much is one of those?

Too Much... So far what I have into it is $240 for the Copter $350 for the Video Transmitter, Receiver, LCD Setup. Then you add a Gopro 3 Black, Gimbal for stability and anti-vibration, and a long range Radio system. Looking at around $1700ish when its said and done. Or you can go the Video Goggle route which I want to because they look way cool!

Be careful with any race track footage. Glenn has specifically said that no drones are allowed over HPR property due to insurance, others may feel the same way. Race orgs are definitely not going to underwrite it on their policies if the tracks won't.

Yeah that's what I kind of figured. I am not going to fly anywhere that I am not given permission to. Drones can become an invasion of privacy and property owners have every right to shoot down drones.

[Richie-Rich]

Yeahhh... my goal is to not get banned from tracks and or arrested. I would like to continue to be a part of the MRA.

[longrider]

Hopefully Miller had more activity, I was surprised how empty HPR was. This was a scheduled Saturday driving school. A wider shot:



I think more people were practicing motocross:

[Kim-n-Dean]

With the new spread spectrum radios (2.4GHz) I'm not sure if the same rules still apply, but it used to be illegal to use aircraft transmitters (FM, PCM) out of designated flying areas. Such as following some bikes through the canyons.

It was also illegal to use aircraft transmitters (FM, PCM) for land use because of their power. I'm pretty sure that rule doesn't apply to spead spectrum, though.

[Richie-Rich]

You can use the 2.4ghz band anywhere now, that's what wireless routers use. Many of the 900mhz to 1.2ghz bands however might get you into some trouble as some channels are not allowed by the federal government. You also might get into some trouble by the FAA if you fly above 400ft as you are then in designated airspace. What I am flying on is legit.

[longrider]

If you want some ideas and maybe inspirations:

http://www.youtube.com/user/David350Z/videos

I know David through another forum and enjoy his UAV video.

[rforsythe]

Hopefully Miller had more activity, I was surprised how empty HPR was. This was a scheduled Saturday driving school. A wider shot:

We were running R2SL there at the time. I was chasing some pro guys around, maybe Bostroms. Can't remember who.

[longrider]

We were running R2SL there at the time. I was chasing some pro guys around, maybe Bostroms. Can't remember who.

So where are the pictures??

[rforsythe]

On a hard drive. Please understand if I have other things to do today.

[Kim-n-Dean]

You can use the 2.4ghz band anywhere now, that's what wireless routers use. Many of the 900mhz to 1.2ghz bands however might get you into some trouble as some channels are not allowed by the federal government. You also might get into some trouble by the FAA if you fly above 400ft as you are then in designated airspace. What I am flying on is legit.

I've been flying R/C planes and helis for over twenty-five years and I can't remember the specific channels, but the Fed's took over half our channels away several years back. That might be what inspired the change to spread spectrum.

The 400' rule has always been in effect. The Cherry Creek R/C airfield is directly under Centennial approach and there have been many times I thought my plane was going to be lunch for a Lear's turbine.

I've even raced a few planes on approach with my F-14. It's top speed was a little over 200mph and would smoke those full-size on approach! Which is really no big deal since they're landing around 130-140 knots. Still fun, though...

[Kim-n-Dean]

On a hard drive. Please understand if I have other things to do today.

Well stop posting and get to work, boy!!!!!

[Richie-Rich]

Nice you still fly out there Kimndean? I was just at Chatfield state park yesterday and there was a guy with 2 HUGE turbine jets said he had 20k each in them. I swear the planes flying above where going through his smoke trails.

[rforsythe]

Well stop posting and get to work, boy!!!!!

Working outside today. Well, was anyway. Now the game is on, so fuck all that.