2Rexx HeliCam Project

[Reidar7]

I am working on a project; aiming to get a stable, heavy duty, smooth; air-platform for video/film/photo.

After working on a tri- and quadra-chopper model on the drawing-desk, I have (most probably) landed on a tandem-rotor solution. This mainly due to the electronics involved in the syncro of 3 and 4 rotors. (I do know that Draganfly has a working model, but this is to my knowledge for leightweight equipment).

So I am asking for advices, experience transfer and creative suggestions.

The current setup, is for a Canon XL-H1 (HDV/HD-Cam) w/std. lens. Adding the required FPV-equipment, including OSD w/GPS and sensors; I do believe I am up to a required lifting-capasity of 6-8 kgs.

So I am thinking of a twin-rex, with extended frame;
+ incerasing the number of blades with: Precison AH V 1.0 5 Bladed Rotor Head Assembly.

And then; what type of engine to use.

Jet would be nice, but limitations related to noice, exhaust etc. is reducing my field of work. (Maybe I am ending up with 2 models..).. so an electric solution would be nice (if possible).

Anyone with experience on this area, and/or who knows about lifting capacity of the TwinRexx, with the current configuration?

Very best regards
Reidar Huseby

[DebianDog]

The weight of that camera (fully loaded) 8.3 lbs. (3750g) plus all your other gear. You are going to need a LOT more helicopter. Trex is out of the question even with 2 rotors ;)

Do you already know how to fly?

[Reidar7]

About flying; I will give the same reply as when I was asked if I knew photo/film. "There is a lot more to learn than I now know. Hence, I do know a lot of what I need to know; that is giving me the direction - the rest; the rest is speed and preciscion." ;-)

I love helicopters. I love photo and film. So the combination has to be great :)


Now for the chopper part.

My experience is limited to small electric models; and that is why I need more experience/input when deciding what to choose. I still believe that a tandem could be a solution; but I am not certain about the configuration.

In my so far short life, I have understood that asking qualified people; and getting qualified info in return normally gives a short line to the goal. So my next question is then; do you know any data/figures? Then the next step would be to figure out the distance between the existing models/solutions, and to the desired solution/model.

Any suggestion for other solutions is also welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Reidar

The weight of that camera (fully loaded) 8.3 lbs. (3750g) plus all your other gear. You are going to need a LOT more helicopter. Trex is out of the question even with 2 rotors ;)

Do you already know how to fly?

[DebianDog]

I am a photo/video "wantta be" myself and got in to helicopters because I wanted to do AP work. When I finally maidened my AP ship $2000 + $1500 in gear + a $2500 HD camera I was too nervous to do any good work. So I decided that I would concentrate on being a better pilot for a few years and keep the majority of my camera work on the ground.

I am using a Panasonic HVX200P now and my current rig will not even hold the camera so I will have some work to do in the future to get that baby flying. I am waiting to see what Bergen does with the Observer as I know they are doing testing now with a LARGE electric bird.

Bergen does make several "turn key" solutions now and customer support is GREAT!
http://www.bergenrc.com/

another company to watch is http://www.airscooter.net

[Reidar7]

Thanks.

The airscooter seems to be an adequate option. The stability given by the use of counter-rotors might be a workable solution for this project.

And also Bergen/Observer with a big electric bird seems interesting enough to await the result prior to deciding on the build-project.

--

Control of the model?
After several years off marriage, I have come to learn that control is an illusion. A pleasent illusion, but still - an illusion. ;-)

So my approach to control, is to be absolutely aware of what I can do - and what I (for the time beeing) can not do. And then to train/learn on what I need to know better, following the KTT-C model. (Knowledge (the basic core-knowledge) - Technique (the fundamental basics) -Training (focus on direction and presicion) - Control (as a result of the previous chain).

You have given me a good input on what is the most important aspect(s); and one of them is to learn to control the model better. I will await the models beeing develop, and keep on training with both a Lama (for the airscooter) and a 3D-model (for the Observer) - in order to be ready for both options.

Thank you for informative feedback.

Reidar

[kgfly]

Reidar, search around on the AP forum here, there is a good thread about setting up a MaxiJoker2 as an electric cameraship....

..here, take a look at these threads, I think you will find them interesting:
http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=41518
http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=40203

I suspect that twin-rotor heli will be less reliable than a conventional single-rotor airframe and harder to setup and harder to get to a low vibration configuration which I understand to be is vital for good video.

With 12s2p 4600mAh A123 packs (under $250 each) and the right charging solution (eg Mastech CCCV 50V/20A power-supply) you should be able to get something around 10min flights and 20min charging. If you need extended flight time in the field, with 3 packs, 2 chargers and a generator you could fly non-stop.