smallest photography heli?

[teeson]

so i know its possible, but not recommended, to fly small helis because their less satble which makes for worse shots.. but whats the smallest heli that could fly, o say a canon rebel XT? big helis intimadate me in danger and cost, so im looking for a smaller option that will still work...

[skywalker73]

I used a blade cp-pro(brushless) with a 4mp Kodak camera for a while. I would recommend to not even bother. I got a couple of good shots, but with several hundred dollars in broken parts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbYfDXiqY0s
My brother in law just got a blade 400. He says it flys great. Might be good for a small camera??
The larger helis are much easier to fly...

[skywalker73]

Never mind my last post-didn't realize an xt was that big of a camera! I would say maybe a t-rex 600 w/askman mount-and you need to talk to the big boys.

[KarbonBird]

T-Rex 450

[Efliernz]

The Canon XT is in the 700 gram range. Even with a light-weight diy mount with video down link / 800mA 3S pack you are going to be close to adding 1-1.5Kg (my Askman 360 mount/Canon XTi/downlink weighs 2300 grams - 5lb). This elevates the weight of the stock Trex-600 to 5800 grams (12lb) and it handles like a truck.
Bottom line - if you want to carry an SLR, you will need a 550-600 sized machine.

[teeson]

o well thanx for the help, i know now how far ive got to go in this hobby to get decent pics..

[Efliernz]

Most of us started with something small and cheap... and a couple of good shots tempted me into an obsession!!!
If someone had told me 2.5 years ago (before I could fly a heli) that I would have a part-time company shooting weekly, I would have laughed!!! It is amazing how a passion can completely take over your life...

[Aerial RC Photog]

That is true true true...

A pretty somewhat stable flight with a cam.
TREX450 + Oregon Scientific cam mounted to the Boom Struts on the Bottom.

Tracking has to be perfect so that Cam doesn't go Fetal from vibration.

Cost TREX450 of your choice and pricing + $99.00 oregon scientific.
WARNING,,, Within a month or two, you'll be broke Buying a TREX600E Or Maxi Joker2 Bolting up a Rebel XTI

[teeson]

well from the looks, maybe a rebel XT is a little heavy for me to start with... anyone got a cheaper camera (not nessecarly a DSLR) that will work with the same mounts? or am i dreaming?

[j_kookboy]

teeson

You're in Vancouver which means you'll need to get certified by Transport Canada and apply for an SFOC each time your heli lifts off the ground with a camera attached to it.

You can eliminate downtown and heavily populated areas to fly in. TC will not allow that. I've tried and persisted but to no avail.

You will also need to be insured (liability) to be able to apply for an SFOC with TC.

At this point in time, the cheapest liability insurance runs between $5,800 - $6,400 canadian per year in BC.

With regards to lifting an XT.

whats the smallest heli that could fly, o say a canon rebel XT? big helis intimadate me in danger and cost

Larger heli's for AP/AV are your friend. Stability and visibility are key factors. Cost of the heli itself should not be a factor if you intend to run AP as a business. The initial cost is a right-off (tax) and consumables (bearings/maintenance parts) are as well.

You are looking at the very LEAST a 600mm blade size machine.

To comfortably fly and have TC certify you, you will have to show the flight officer in person/on location that you can do specific circuits, follow their flight plan and above all, auto-rotate (fake emergency problem in-flight) on command.

To do that, I could not autorotate with my Trex600 at 12 lbs with all the gear successfully and consistently.

I'm now running a 700mm blade heli at 13lbs and can autorotate and maneuver at will.

Good luck. It's a long road.

One piece of advice. Please do not start shooting AP in the lower mainland unless you are insured for liability (MAAC does not qualify outside of official flying clubs) and have an SFOC from Transport Canada.

If you do, you are putting not only yourself at risk but all the other AP businesses who are legitimately operating in BC/Canada.

If you're shooting just for fun and not as a business, then the onus falls on you if anything (accident) happens (insurance/liability,etc...).

Just a friendly head's up.

Do you fly at Hood's up in burnaby ?

Jesse

[teeson]

thanx for the heads up jesse, im actually outside vancouver, and id have to look into it, but now i know what kinda legal fun there is up the road. im actually not flying at a club yet, but if you know of a good club, let me know, im all ears

[j_kookboy]

Where abouts are you located ?

Jesse

[Aerial RC Photog]

I contacted the FAA in Dallas, on FAA standards and CFR's
In a nut shell,, Helis are Fair game on flying with a CAm,, No restrictions,,
However,, The Restrictions do apply the Planksters,, with a Cam.
I really don't see a Differance Between Planks and Helis as far as Cameras go,
other than Streaming video is your best choice with Planks,

Helis can run either one? Go figure..
I also told them that I was flying 54 to 61 inch Rotor wings, the FAA told me Have fun be and excercise safety.
I also informed them that I have a Business in Rc helicopter Photography,
Same responce as the last one.. Have Fun Be safe,,, @@!!!!:thumbup:
I talked to my Cousin in Ottawa Ontario last night,, That has nothing to do with Helis,, But It did wear my (&*^%$^*&()(* out ,, !QQQQ!!!!!!!!!!!
That's probably why I'm having a loss of Synaptic Reflex connectivity,:rolling:nanabobo:lolol:happyd, :YeaBaby::arggg::wink:

[j_kookboy]

I contacted the FAA in Dallas, on FAA standards and CFR's
In a nut shell,, Helis are Fair game on flying with a CAm,, No restrictions,,
However,, The Restrictions do apply the Planksters,, with a Cam.
I really don't see a Differance Between Planks and Helis as far as Cameras go,
other than Streaming video is your best choice with Planks,

Helis can run either one? Go figure..
I also told them that I was flying 54 to 61 inch Rotor wings, the FAA told me Have fun be and excercise safety.
I also informed them that I have a Business in Rc helicopter Photography,
Same responce as the last one.. Have Fun Be safe,,, @@!!!!:thumbup:
I talked to my Cousin in Ottawa Ontario last night,, That has nothing to do with Helis,, But It did wear my (&*^%$^*&()(* out ,, !QQQQ!!!!!!!!!!!
That's probably why I'm having a loss of Synaptic Reflex connectivity,:rolling:nanabobo:lolol:happyd, :YeaBaby::arggg::wink:

That really doesn't have anything to do with AP in Canada.

Transport Canada is to Canada what FAA is to the US.

Jesse

[Tonystott]

Besides which I believe Randall was informed by someone using illegal substances, as the advice he was given is totally at odds with anything I have heard before.

[Aerial RC Photog]

I can't say that the guys down here in Dallas are squared away with their personal habbits. But if that's the case the whole staff that works in FAA Standards must be High as kite,
I called for a Week straight to try and Rule out the "On Crack" factor. :YeaBaby:

[teeson]

well i know that u cant stream vids and fly by it.. but i didnt think that taking pictures would be such a problem. i live in maple ridge, about an hour or so out of vancouver. i have seen people flying around my house even, so i know that i can fly.. i have no idea about a camera though. once again ill have to look into it.

[Aerial RC Photog]

I was informed by the FAA Standards that Helis with Cameras are not regulated.
Only the airplanes with cameras.

[j_kookboy]

well i know that u cant stream vids and fly by it.. but i didnt think that taking pictures would be such a problem. i live in maple ridge, about an hour or so out of vancouver. i have seen people flying around my house even, so i know that i can fly.. i have no idea about a camera though. once again ill have to look into it.

Just because you see people fly, doesn't mean you can.

They are either flying on a MAAC area/field or have TC authorization or are flying just for fun and don't realize the legal consequences if they hit someone/something.

Hate to be blunt but that's the way it is up here.

Randall, FAA rules don't apply in Canada for Canadians.

I know a few guys out in Maple Ridge.

They fly at a MAAC sanctioned club. British Columbia Aces

$75 a year membership for MAAC and you can fly at the MAAC fields with insurance coverage.

You may want to check it out.

If you take off in your street or anywhere where you know sh*t can happen (people calling cops/hitting someone, lose of sight) if you loose control/signal, stop and think before you do it.

And by the way, if anyone calls the cops on you for flying around in a subdivision, be prepared to pay a nice hefty fine.

I did once 2 years ago and it cost more than my heli. Think about it.

Jesse

[Tonystott]

I was informed by the FAA Standards that Helis with Cameras are not regulated.
Only the airplanes with cameras.
Randall, those people are talking total garbage. The FAA has never distiguished between fixed wing and rotary. There are plenty of differing views as to the regulations (or advisories) but the general concensus is that any >aircraft< earning money is considered by them to be in need of regulation. Whether there is a camera or not is irrelevant, only if the flight is considered by them to be a commercial activity.

So the person at FAA Standards is talking out the wrong end...

[Aerial RC Photog]

That may be true that they like regulating Aircraft that is for hire.
However, I have names, dates, times, and recorded conversation with the Standards Supervisor on the CFR's or Reg's on .50 Class Helis with a Rotor wing spand of not more than 61 " or 1549.4 mm.
I also work for the Government. I guess that means I have couple more resources. Helps having the Global Account,,
I also checked with a CW4 Pilot at Camp somewhere Austin, Texas and he seems to agree the GS12 Goo Roo at the Dallas FAA Standards office is on the ball..
But like I said earlier, Fixed wing for hire on Aerail RC Photography has a limiting factor to regualtions and CFR's Governing operational standards of regulations.
Check :thumbup:
For furher info and CFR's or regulatory standards, or Inside poop on how to stay outta Trouble in the US. Shoot a PM. and I'll call a couple Folks, :YeaBaby:

[Tonystott]

No need for a PM Randall, just post the CFR and/or reg locations for us. This is an issue that many many people are interested in.

From my perspective I am hoping to find something in the FAA camp which I can use to soften the tough rules here in Australia

[Aerial RC Photog]

I will call a couple buddies of mine tomorrow moring, :thumbup:

What aspect are you concerned with? I don't work for the FAA, but like the H&R block adds.. I got Peoples!! :YeaBaby:

Are you intested in fixed wing Phtogo or Rotor Photog?
If you tell me what your trying to change or accomplish, I can find the Doc's on it.
Growing up through the Ranks, there were a few people that didn't like someone knowing everything about the Reg's. But who gives a crap,, I didn't write them, I just use them to accomplish goals set forth by the (Good Idea Fairy).
Being mostly Irish, Dead Reckoning with diplomacy sometimes goes out the window!! :rolling
I thought it was funny.. !!

But yeah,, shoot me a scenario, and I'll find the loop holes,, Reg's etc...
If your using US Standards for policy changes in Aussie Town or Canada...
Creative Writting and positive, proactive determination would be my weapon of choice,, :YeaBaby:
Let me know how I can help,!! :thumbup:

[Tonystott]

Just find any FAA document which exempts helis but not planks

[Aerial RC Photog]

There are two ways that this is possible.
1.) They are not mentioned in CFR's
2.) They will be listed as exempted.

I'm all over it,, I'll shoot a e-mail out on Global,, on all CFR's regarding the Helis.
61" and smaller. Not to sure one Swinging 820's

Last info I received from them on request was that the smallest regulated Aircraft by Reg was powered gliders.

I will respond by NLT 20:00CST20080206
:thumbup: