Pics from Canada in December

[Wbird]

Thought I would show a bit of the cold stuff that falls in the north country. LOL I know that some of you don't know what it looks like so here it is. Pic taken with a Cannon A640, looks way better at full resolution.

[Efliernz]

Awesome. It's in the mid 20's (C) here now. No cold battery problems :)

[WillJames]

BBBBBRRRRRRRRRR

Nice photo!!

[dimon]

I have to shoot next month in Colorado, Wbird, how you fighting cold battery problem?

[Wbird]

Batteries don't seem to be an issue. It's my fingers that seem to cease to function or move properly. LOL

Actually I have a Suburban and keep the rear heat cranked where the birds nest down. I have enough room to straighten the blades and power up with the back doors leaning against me keeping most of the heat in. Once powered up I take it out and set it on the ground ready for take off and things don't have much chance to get cold. I know most people figure you have to let the gyro adjust to temp before powering up. As far as I can tell that is just talk. I have done it with my 450 and both my 600's with no problem powering them up at +20c and then taking them out to -20c. Never had tail drift or any other eratic behavior. Bladegrips will loosen a bit as things shrink and tailboom shortens a bit as well but for AP the tail doesn't seem to be an issue running a little loose. One 600 has a 401 and the other has a 611 and neither seem to be bothered by cold or temp change. How many people warm up the computer in their vehicle before starting them in -40 weather up here? NONE.
Solid state electronics function very well. Have gloves to pick up the heli after flight because the blade grips (especially aluminum) get very cold and transfer very well to bare skin. You will freeze your hand without realizing it. I use a transmitter glove as well, if there is any wind this is a necessity. Some people don't have as much problem with their hands in the cold by I am a bit of a wimp when it comes to bare hands in cold weather.

[jeffj]

We're having an unseasonably cold December out here in Eastern Canada. The nice part about that is I can fly off a frozen lake that is walking distance from home. This is a cam grab from my first aerial video. The resolution was too low for my liking, but that's to be expected from a video. It was still fun to get started in AP. The camera is a Canon SD1000.

[emeraldheli]

Nice shot Wbird, a Christmas Winter Wonderland. I have no chance of such a subject, the last real white Christmas in these parts was about 50 yrs.ago. Green fields and overcast sky doesn't have the same impact.

[zen]

Wbird—

you sure put the heli waay up to get that picture! Looks great.

[Wbird]

Thanks Guys.

Jeffj, Looks like a nice place there and not bad for taking from video.

zen
Don't know how high it is. Set it in a stable hover about tree top height, turned on rapid shoot, (2fps) and started a slow climb keeping it steady until it was a dot. I will be ordering the altitude sensor for my FDR in January and actually be able to see how high I am.

[okiefarmr]

Nice picture there Wbird. How have you been?

[Wbird]

Thanks Okie.
Been a little busy actually. Will send you a email soon, have to get back to your trailer graphics. LOL

[okiefarmr]

No problem. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[Wbird]

Here is another from this morning. Ain't it great. Helis fly great in the dense air. I wish I could show a full size. They loose a lot of quality when scaled down. This pic is of my parents farm, also my backyard as a kid.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all you fellow freaks, especially the ones in the cold. LOL

[fling-winger]

Nice shot - reminds me of home!! Sniff-sniff.

Mark