Best air craft/equipment option for professional filming

[marinpa]

Hello to everyone!

Oooo yeah... . I've been bitten by the bug... . (heli bug that is)

I own a small video-production company in Vancouver, BC, and for some time I start looking into acquiring a helicopter so that I cam fly my cameras with it. The Panasonic DVX 100P 4.189 lb (1.90kg) with battery and cassette.

The only problem is... I do not know anything about helis or aerial videography, other than that would be a great service addition, and add a not very usual angle/perspective to my productions.

I've been so far window(s IE) shopping, and I realized there are few companies and individuals making the helis. Ones with more features than others.

I would need some directions/recommendations, some advices based on ones flight and video experience.

Of short, what would be the best aircraft for my needs, who is making it and how much would cost me to buy it?

I do intend to hire a pilot for the darn bird of steel and carbon.


With best regards and high expectations,

M.P.

[DebianDog]

How much money you got? ;)

A lot of money (say $20,000) = Turbine. Smooth reliable.
http://www.bergenrc.com/IntrepidTurbine.asp

Good amount of money (say $15,000) = Electric. Smooth, short flight times
http://www.carvecsystem.co.uk/Products.htm

A bit of money (say <$10,000) = Gasser with camera mount. More work to get smooth, reliable. Most popular.
http://www.miniatureaircraftusa.com/helicopterkits/1025_Spectra_G/1025_kit_main.asp
http://www.bergenrc.com/ObserverEB.asp
http://www.centuryheli.com/products/helikits/cn1100Predator/CN1307/index.htm?currentid=335

Mounts:
http://www.helicamsolutions.com/index.html
http://www.airfoilskycam.com/

I am sure there are plenty of local heli pilots up there that would love to fly any bird you pick for a small fee.

[marinpa]

How much money you got? ;)

A lot of money (say $20,000) = Turbine. Smooth reliable.
http://www.bergenrc.com/IntrepidTurbine.asp

Good amount of money (say $15,000) = Electric. Smooth, short flight times
http://www.carvecsystem.co.uk/Products.htm

A bit of money (say <$10,000) = Gasser with camera mount. More work to get smooth, reliable. Most popular.
http://www.miniatureaircraftusa.com/helicopterkits/1025_Spectra_G/1025_kit_main.asp
http://www.bergenrc.com/ObserverEB.asp
http://www.centuryheli.com/products/helikits/cn1100Predator/CN1307/index.htm?currentid=335

Mounts:
http://www.helicamsolutions.com/index.html
http://www.airfoilskycam.com/

I am sure there are plenty of local heli pilots up there that would love to fly any bird you pick for a small fee.Thank you for your informative answer.


A lot of money (say $20,000) = Turbine. Smooth reliable.
http://www.bergenrc.com/IntrepidTurbine.asp


As far as their website shows, this aircraft is only $7.500. Do they have any other one 20K worth?

What would be the key questions to ask a heli manufacturer?
What does makes a RC Heli a great one?
I believe that for professional video, one of the most important things are the image stabilizer such as electronic or mechanical gyro. Doesn't it?

I am very excited about the idea of fitting my camera with wings/propellers

[MarkWebber]

marinpa

The figures DD listed were approximate totals for the heli and equipment. Ranges will, of course, vary depending on how sophisticated you want your rig to be.

And, yes, it is very exciting! I shot my first vid with a temporary mount this weekend. I can't wait to get going!

Mark Webber

webberaerialimaging.com

[DebianDog]

As far as their website shows, this aircraft is only $7,500. Do they have any other one 20K worth?

What would be the key questions to ask a heli manufacturer?
What does makes a RC Heli a great one?
I believe that for professional video, one of the most important things are the image stabilizer such as electronic or mechanical gyro. Doesn't it?


Well I have a gyro on one axis but you can have them on 3 axis for about $4500 and up from Helicam Solutions. Some folks have mounted the K2 or K3 gyros on mounts some swear by them. Like anything... best to others is "second rate" to someone else. Pilot and camera skill are very important as I have seen some pretty good footage with a DV cam taped to the side of the heli with some foam.

In regards to the turbine cameraship. I am sure if you call chris Bergen and want him to make you a Turbine Helicam HE WILL. Besides the $10000 for that you need a myriad of other electronic gadgets. Which is why I said about $25,000 but you "should" come in below that.

Here is a video I know you will enjoy and I believe he used a "beta" model of the Helicam Mark IV 3 axis mount on a gasser.
http://www.hawkeyemedia.com/videos/katemcy_aerials.wmv

[marinpa]

Folks, sorry to bother you with my silly questions... .
Does anyone know what this is? Who is making it?
http://www.mcthongs.com/helicam.jpg

[DebianDog]

http://www.helicam.com/about.htm

PLEASE call Jody at Helicam Solutions before considering that bird and talk to him about it. (210) 497-0260

[Whirly-Girl]

Chris Bergen AND Gary Travis would be my TOP TWO picks for building a custom aerial photography ship, ready-to-fly. Jody from Helicam Solutions is awesome as well, but he only builds the camera mounts. The other two fellows can help you immensely in the helicopter department.

Jeanette

[Brady Longmore]

Chris Bergen AND Gary Travis would be my TOP TWO picks for building a custom aerial photography ship, ready-to-fly. Jody from Helicam Solutions is awesome as well, but he only builds the camera mounts. The other two fellows can help you immensely in the helicopter department.

Jeanette


Took the words out of my mouth.

If you have the budget for it, find out from Bergen when will the Observer Turbine be ready for market, and how much will it cost? That's gonna be sooooo SWEEEEEEET!!!

[marinpa]

Thank you everyone for your participation on this thread.
Can we please make a list of all the features and technical characteristics of an RC helicopter destinated to aerial film/videography. Something like the ideal RC heli.

I will start first.

[marinpa]

- gyroscopical stabilization allowing much more stable shots
- Real Time video monitoring: Microwave video-assist.
- Average altitude: (360 feet) and a range of 750 feet in diameter.
- Flying autonomy: 15-20 minutes
- Maximun wind speed for secure flying: up to 20 knots (aprox. 30km/h.)
- Camera zoom control
- Tail rotor mechanics: Hirobo Eagle Main and
- Lift main blades: 800mm high
- CCPM main rotor swashcontrol
- Video TX/RX: 1.2 Ghz 800mw
- Rx lithium ion 1.5A 11.1v on-board battery
- Engine: .90
- Main Rotor Diameter: 6.0 feet
- Rotor Head: 2 Bladed Self-Stabilizing Belle Hiller
- Main Rotor Shaft: 10mm Steel
- Tail Drive: Tube Drive
- Total length: 6.5 feet
- Fuel Tank: 500cc plastic tank
- Muffler: Steel Silencer
- Maximum Horizontal Speed: 50 M.P.H.
- Minimum Horizontal Speed: 5 M.P.H
- Vertical Climb Rate From Hover: 12 feet per second
- Standard Flight Time: 20-30 Minutes
- Operating Rotor RPM: 1,100 to 1,400 R.P.M.
- Empty Weight: 15 ½ pounds

[PaulH]

A few things that you might want to change in your specs:

- A gas engine would be a better choice than a .90. They can fly longer (one of your other requirements) on the same amount of gas and the fuel is much cheaper. Also a gasser is usually a little heavier than a 90-size, and would be more stable to fly.
- CCPM doesn't gain you anything. Single-servo per control like the Intrepid uses is easier to set up and flys just as well as any CCPM bird.
- The only place you'll find Hirobo tail mechanics is on a Hirobo bird. I don't think Bergen, Century, or MA will use Eagle parts for anything. :roll:
- All modern helicopters use Bell-Hiller mixing.
- Muffler should be "as quiet as possible". You will eventually fly this in a residential area. You don't want to call too much attention to yourself.
- If you want to use a 3S Li-Ion receiver battery, you should specify a UBEC as well.
- Rotor RPM really doesn't have very much to do with anything. All Industrial/EB helis operate around 1300-1400 RPM. Less than that and you'll bog the engine.

[MarkWebber]

All sound advice from Paul. While you could certianly go the turbine route, you might reach a point of diminishing returns on your investment. Despite the simplicity of my test mount, the vibrations it has to dampen are not high frequency from the engine but 1-1 vib from the rotor head which are minimal but inherent to heli's. Large and small.
Your specs. are all on the market for the most part. You shouldn't have a difficult time getting that set up.

[marinpa]

A gas engine would be a better choice than a .90. They can fly longer (one of your other requirements) on the same amount of gas and the fuel is much cheaper. Also a gasser is usually a little heavier than a 90-size, and would be more stable to fly.
Any particular recommendations/specifications?
What would be the biggest engine one will be able to place into an AV/P (Aerial Videography/Photography)RC Heli?


The only place you'll find Hirobo tail mechanics is on a Hirobo bird
Is there anything better than Hibro in terms of tail mechanics?


Muffler should be "as quiet as possible". You will eventually fly this in a residential area. You don't want to call too much attention to yourself.
Any recommandations/specs?


If you want to use a 3S Li-Ion receiver battery, you should specify a UBEC as well.
Anything better than that?

How about the pan/till/zoom gyro controls? Are they all the same, or there are some better than others?


Thanks!