Guys I need your help...

[R-4-L]

great, and FMA's stuff are all out-of-stuck

any recommended online shops specialized for the AP needs and accessories such as the AP2000i please?

[MLaBoyteaux]

Well let's see....

For a mount to fit the R90 you already have, your first choice would be Askman at http://www.askman.com. I don't own an Askman mount, but from what I've seen on this and other forums, he can put something together to fit your needs. My next choice would be Jody at http://www.helicamsolutions.com. There are other manufacturers, but I either won't recommend them or I have no personal knowledge of their products. :D

For the AP-2000 stabilizer and other very useful tools there's Spartan RC http://spartan-rc.com/ If you get the AP-2000, make sure you also purchase the IR sensor cable.

You'll also need the FMA IR sensor http://www.fmadirect.com/detail.htm?item=1778&section=20. They've dropped the price to $42.95, which might be why they're out of stock. I paid $80 each for my first two.

For Remote camera triggers http://www.gentles.ltd.uk/ is a good source. This won't really apply if you're only shooting video, but look around, he's got some neat circuits. I just ordered the http://www.gentles.ltd.uk/gent360/index.htm gent360 to install on my mount for shooting panos. I'm anxiously awaiting it's arrival so I can test it out.

Another great place to get switches and products very useful for AP is http://www.rc-flysoft.com/


I also use the Aerial Innovations video camera controller from http://www.aerialinnovations.net/ It allows my camera person to control all of the functions on my Sony HC1. We can start and stop the camera, zoom, put the camera in standby (power down) and wake it back up. It's supposed to also allow us to switch from auto to manual focus, but I can't get that function to work. This is also very useful when I used my video camera on my mast at a model airplane contest because I could sit back and power the camera down while waiting for the next event.

For the stretched belts we're using on our stretched e-Raptors go to https://sdp-si.com/index.asp

For lots of neat materials hdpe, fiberglass, etc and just general all around neat place to get hardware, go to http://www.mcmaster.com/

I'm sure there are a lot of other places I haven't mentioned, maybe we need to put together a useful link page for AP?

[R-4-L]

Mark, thank you very much for the sites, these are valuable links I am sure me and everyone who's into this field will benifit from... the camera control circuitry is a very good idea! thanks for sharing that, would definitely go for it.

things are getting alittle more interesting since I started the post, I managed to convince the client to invest in a dedicated ship for the job.. it seems that he saw the potential of such business for the future, little that he knows that its a dream coming true more than $$ as far as I am concerned..

anyways, I have contacted Bergen RC about their Observer EB as a starting helicopter for the job.. and I think we are ready to make the purchase after lots of reading about the observer and its features, and more importantly the price..

so.. I have prepared the shopping list, please feel free to comment on any of the items I list that may not benifit the cause or even worsen the experience:

Bergen Observer EB
Spartan AD-2000i + IR sensor and cable (gonna need to do the cable my self though)
BlackWidow Digi-Live (blackwidowav.com) downlink
GY611 gyro
not sure what servos but probably 3x S9252
Fromeco 4800mah LiIons
Fromeco Arizona Regulator
Generic NiCD for the mount

will use a JR 9x for piloting and any other radio for the mount.

Thanks...

[rerazor]

Mark,

How often do you find yourself using the zoom feature with you Heli and HC1?

[MLaBoyteaux]

My camera operator loves it. Changes the perspective. I'm using a Raynox .5X wide angle lens, which lets us zoom through the lens. We don't usually zoom much, but it gives him more freedom composing the shot.

Right now, it's installed on my Kenyon stabilized mount for my gassers and I don't use it when shooting video under the e-Raptor.

It really comes in hand on the 55' mast for long duration live events. Here's some footage from a Control Line combat event we video'd that has a few samples from the mast : http://www.hawkeyemedia.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=6

[Crjbenny]

As long as you are getting a a front mount gasser. Save yourself the possibility of getting a bad engine and order a balanced engine from BH Hanson for your Observer. Most of them are fine but a friend of mine checked his crank on a Predator and it was .002 out of round right out of the box. It ran ok but just had a little buzz that screwed things up for him. Then get some experinced help to tune that thing. They can be a bear.

[Crjbenny]

I love my Observer but for video you have to tame that G26. Get a video stabilization program as well. Some of these other guys will tell you the best one to get.

[R-4-L]

It seems that I lost the client this time because of time restrictions, but we'r quite determined to setup an AP rig for whatever job comes along and we found lots of potential in it so I'm still going to build an AP rig..

well, after lots of reading, and many advices and help (thanks to you guys), I'v come with the following items in my shopping list:

Vario Benzin-trainer with their G230 23cc Engine (plus vario's silencer system and 800mm symmetrical blades) - $2000

3x Fut s9252 servos - $210
GY611 Gyro - $320
(Dunno if I need a governor,, anyone?)

Jody's E4 mount + Gyro stabilized + Tx - $2020
AP2000i system - $200
Downlink from blackwidow (Digi-Live system) - $280

gonna fly it with the Futaba 12Z that's on order for me. - $1300

any $30 12v monitor and my field table (don't need fancy LCD mounted on radios)
2S LiPoly for downlink ? ($30)


so what do you think ? :?:

[MLaBoyteaux]

Doesn't Jody's E4 come with a Spektrum radio? I've read that other users are having interference issues when using a 2.4GHZ downlink. If so, you might want to consider a 900MHZ downlink instead?

[R-4-L]

blackwidow discontinued all 900mhz I don't know why,, if jody is supplying a spektrum i'll ask him not to, i'll put on my own radio instead..

do you guys use a governor with stator gator? are they needed?

[AZ ChopperCam]

since you are under time constraints I would say to not go with a governor just yet. A governor is something you use once the engine tuning, throttle and pitch curves are finally set... Then you install a governor. If you put it on in the beginning and don't set curves and tune the engine properly you run the risk of toasting the engine and at the worst, forcing an autorotation.

[R-4-L]

DJ, yea, your right, i actually do know that its not a good practice using a governor when breaking-in or tuning ANY engine, I just wanted to know if you generally use a governor for the purpose of AP, you know, shipping a single item costs alot, so I figured I should purchase everything I could afford in a single go right now for future use .

[MLaBoyteaux]

I have a governor on my Condor and I like it, but I don't have one on the Vario. It's not a required item. Once the engine breaks in, you can get the throttle curve dialed in and it'll hold the headspeed very well.

I've got my Vario set up for a 1275 headspeed. The governor is just one more thing to have to tinker with.