Things needed for thermal setup!

[SB]

hello i work as a volunteer for the Sheriff Department.
Somewhere we came up with this :Slap idea to mount a thermal camera under my heli and use it to track ppl on the run, or for search and rescue.

The AP2000i sounds like a wise investment.
what do i need to know about mounting cameras and transmitters on my heli.

what do you use for a down link that won't kill my DX7.
anyone know where to get thermal imagery cameras?

Thanks in advance (sorry for sounding like a rock i don't know much about this stuff)

[crewchief]

SB,

First of all, make sure you're looking at long-wave IR thermal imaging equipment, not cheap filter-based equipment that reads reflected IR light. The equipment starts at about $12,000 and goes up from there. Most of the places that sell this stuff have sort of a "Soldier Of Fortune" feel about them, and they are usually not very honest up front about their pricing. The best thing is for the department to buy the imaging equipment from a reputable supplier at a discount price and let you use it. Here are just a few of the consumer outlets:

http://www.nationalinfrared.com/
http://www.x20.org/
http://7b.org/thermal/IR_250.html
http://www.infraredcamerasinc.com/

We formed a small LLC earlier this year to do consulting for the Government Training Institute in Boise who train SWAT, Homeland Security, etc. The use of thermal imaging equipment and night flying came up constantly, and the more we got into it, the scarier it got. What happens is you as a pilot are always getting pushed up to and beyond your limits, both in terms of piloting skills and the ability to stay oriented. Under actual field conditions and in the heat of the moment, your skills will decrease by about 25%, while at the same time the demands of the situation will often push you beyond what you have practiced. You're flying over some big dark field. You know the guy's out there somewhere. Everybody's stoked. You don't want to let everybody down. You need to fly out just a little farther... just a little farther...

I'm not trying to discourage you. There's a great demand in this area. But I was never so glad when the project fizzled out before we started flying real missions. In a word, it can be extremely STRESSFUL! Don't put yourself in a position where you are committed to engage in dangerous activities that are destined for failure. The guys in the department have no idea how much skill it takes to fly during the day, much less at night, and you can easily be tempted to exceed your limits and risk serious consequences.

[ErichF]

I have a lot of experience with this camera:

http://www.flir.com/imaging/Security/Products/ThermoVisionMicron.aspx

http://www.flir.com/imaging/nmc/media/small/763433c4-0b4f-448b-aadf-e7f360d06c0c.jpg

This same camera is also available from Airfoil Heli-Cam I believe.

[SB]

I have a lot of experience with this camera:

http://www.flir.com/imaging/nmc/media/small/763433c4-0b4f-448b-aadf-e7f360d06c0c.jpg



can you send me an img from it i'd like to see what kinda clarity it has. i looked at one from a different camera it was really crappy

[ErichF]

You can see a video of it on Airfoil's website:

http://www.airfoilskycam.com/Videos/thermal1.wmv

You will not get the same quality that you see on the local Police News choppers from any micro-sized, uncooled IR camera. That kind of quality is heavy and extremely expensive. This FLIR Systems camera shown here costs about $8K