researching my possibilities

[Sugarbaker]

I'm curious if anyone has used the Panasonic HDC-SD5 Hi-Def recorder... it's very small (.75lbs) and has built in image stabilization. I would really love to see how this works for AV/P (By way of an experianced pilate, certainly not by me at this point in time!).

The RC heli world is fairly new to me, but my interest lies almost completely in AP. I've built, flown and gracefully wrecked a trex450, but I intend to improve my skills and upgrade to something large enough to hold a video camera. I'm wondering what the max flight time one could get with a trex600 with a mount and camera attached (and the necessary equipment to transmit video). Is it unrealistic to hope for 10 minutes? Is the key to flight time a larger battery >6s? Blade choice (recommendations?), set up (no need for 3d ability) or anything else?

If there is any advice that could be given other than "fly as much as you can", what would be the best way to progress in this hobby with AP in mind? I use a simulator now, but it has not protected me from wrecking my trex450... although I'm sure it delayed the inevitable. Should I be buying a larger Heli now to learn with? I fear the repair costs (when I crash) would put me out of business so to speak, but I also realize flying a larger heli is different than flying a small one. Thank you all for keeping me inspired, I love seeing new arial videos. Hope everyone had a chance to get out and play this weekend and I look forward to hearing your responses.

Stephen

[crewchief]

I'm wondering what the max flight time one could get with a trex600 with a mount and camera attached (and the necessary equipment to transmit video). Is it unrealistic to hope for 10 minutes? Is the key to flight time a larger battery >6s? Blade choice (recommendations?), set up (no need for 3d ability) or anything else?
Hi Stephen,

I'll take a stab at your T600-related issues. I'm setting my timer for 10 minutes with the 5000mAh 6S, and 15 minutes with the 8000mAh 6S2P. This gives me plenty of time to get it back on the ground, which can take over a minute if I'm way up there. I imagine my total external payload is around 2 lbs. I'll typically make 3 to 4 flights on the 5000mAh battery, and do a day's work with the two combined. I spend most of the time planning, so the flying doesn't take long.

I've used the semi-symmetrical 610mm RotorTech blades which appeared to significantly reduce the motor load, but after installing the AP2000i I started getting a lot of shake and went back to the Align blades. I now realize the problem stemmed from reduced head speed due to a change in pitch trim. The Align blades are more massive, and just seem to run smoother, at perhaps a small expense in efficiency. The RotorTech blades repond differently on climb-out as well, but it would still worth some experimentation. Also I've now got my idle-up power and pitch curves dialled in thanks to advice on this forum. That makes a big difference in smoothness, too.

For stability, I'm using the 440mm weighted flybar, and the Spartan AP2000i from Webber Aerial Imaging.

[trackhead]

I will offer advice on your camera choice. I think the AVCHD format at this time is a cumbersome workflow, giving ugly video with it's funky motion artifact and Panasonic's poor color balance with it's AVCHD cameras.

Stick to tape based HDV for another year or two, until editing software, and faster computers can more readily handle editing AVCHD in it's native format. As it stands now, editing HDV is very cumbersome, and very processor intensive. Yielding poor frame rate playback in your editor, and making color correction and other post work almost impossible without first converting the AVCHD to a compatible codec.

As far as AP/AV, save your money and buy a cheap 16:9 SD camcorder and use it to develop your AV flying skills, and to dial in your camera mount, etc. Then, if you destroy or crash your ship, you won't be out $1200 bucks for your fancy HDV camera. Only fly your HDV camera for paying jobs, or work you expect to get compensated for. Otherwise, fly the cheap one through your learning curve, and if you crash, no loss if you smash up the cheapy. For online content, SD is fine, unless you want HDV bragging rights.

As far as heli's. I had a big Bergen gasser, it flew ok, but was a pain for me to keep vibe free video going. I sold it and bought a Trex. The Trex is MUCH cheaper fix in the inevitable event of a crash. Parts are readily obtainable, and it is MUCH easier to fix than a big gasser. The Trex flys excellent to. Not quite as nice in high winds, but otherwise I think it flys better than the big gasser. Hovers nearly hands off when trimmed out well, quiet, smooth, etc.

Best of luck.

[LoopBaCK]

Stephen - my comment is only related to the "progressing in AP/AV". When you go out and fly now, whatever you are flying and regardless of whether you have a camera mounted go through a complete "simulated" AP flight as practice. Take the time to fly the heli around in a very stable manner and direct it to several points and hold there as if taking pictures. I think this is a good excercise to help your mind to get used to the flying methods necessary for AP/AV. It's off the sim and you're more exposed but it sounds like you're going out and having fun with your heli anyway. Remember, flying AP/AV is about very smooth flight, smooth transitions and stable maintainable hovers.

To me flying with a payload for a purpose is similar to driving my pickup with a loaded trailer behind. I can still take it many places but now I'm thinking more ahead than normal - I take off slower and allow more time to get there - and when I know I'll need to stop I give much more room and slowly bring it to a stop. Flying a loaded heli is similar and the flight planning changes - you can't stop as fast, can't accelerate as fast, and in emergancies auto's work but not much margin of error.

So... just like you might want to practice driving with a heavy trailer before going into business doing it I think it's good to practice flying with payload (or as if it's loaded) and get used to the new challenges. My first auto with a big gasser went beautifully - but when I added 10 pounds to it and tried again - WOW! Very different experience!

On the heli you choose - well that's always up to you and your preferences. In my experience larger helis are much more stable but as you stated they cost so much more. From what folks post here I think it proves you don't need a massive heli (although they are really nice). The small to mid-sized aircraft are doing a great job. I think in your early days of actually flying AP rigs maybe stay with the cheaper aircraft then as your skills (and more importantly - your business) progress you might add a larger heli if the need exists.

Just my opinion... :)

Wes

[Sugarbaker]

I can't believe the quality of advice here... I respect all of your opinions so much as you are the ones who have done the trial and error that make my job easier as a beginner in the world of RC helis and AP/AV. Thank you so much. Truth of the matter is I will probably never fly AP for a paid gig... I really just do it for my own satisfaction, so I appreciate your candor in telling me when I'm looking into something that is not worth the money or will make my life more difficult than need be (like my desire to have HDV).

I think I will be purchasing a Trex 600 in the near future, but I suspect I will be flying it in a very conservative manner for quite some time. I've just today started practicing with my trex450 in the manner that was suggested (slow, fluid, precise movements). I am amazed how difficult it is to actually put the heli where I want it and control how it gets there. Before, my flying was very reactive; like "here comes the edge of the field, I better turn and go the other way"... I've never spent much time in the "I need to fly from point A to B to C and hover at each point" mindset.

Well, thanks again for the great advice and I will certainly be back with more questions when they come up.

Stephen