RC Heli Resource » Aerial Video/FPV

Emergency Parachute System for Unmanned Aerial Platforms

Derrick Threatt — Sun, 20 May 2012 19:03:37 +0000

I was hoping someday this would come out. Looks like it has. Photohigher has a brand new website and on that website looks like they also listed the dream all of us aerial photo jockeys wanted.

The Photo Higher Emergency Ballistic Deployment Recovery system (BDRS)
is the first commercially available emergency recovery system for unmanned aircraft.

Deployment method ballistic gun powder
Ignition System- Electric fuse
Decent Rate - 10m / sec
Maximum Recover Load - 15kg (33lbs)
Weight - 550g
Length - 200mm
Diameter - 62.5mm
Parachute Diameter - 2.5m
Diameter – 62.5mm
Parachute Diameter – 2.5

Source: Photo Higher

Finally a dedicated camera gimble gyro from FreeFly’s Tabb Firchau

Derrick Threatt — Sun, 20 May 2012 10:57:46 +0000

Well, everyone I am sure has been disappointed to see that there really isn't a commercial solution that really works well for plug in play to stabilize a camera on a camera gimbal. Sure there are a few out there...even a few that are integrated into flight systems but none of them come close to being 100% effective and/or practical. I am using a Naza separate from my Wookong-M and I am sad to say it doesn't work that well and it doesn't work as it should. I am working with DJI now to help them get it working as it should. In the meantime looks like Tabb was fed up and just developed his own which is something I was going to do but I have another electronics project in the pipeline that I have to finish before I can delve off into that. Here are some pretty promising looking shots from Tabb over at Freefly and I am sure you will be impressed at the raw footage right off the camera. No name, price or release date yet...hopefully I will get to help beta test this one Tabb.

Amazing new industry has evolved from RC Helicopters

Derrick Threatt — Sun, 20 May 2012 10:43:00 +0000

Looks like Snaproll media has released their new reel for 2012 and it looks amazing. The RC industry has now given birth to a subset called Aerial Videography using RC Helicopters instead of conventional scale ships. Its truly enlightening to see how quickly this segment is emerging. Im sure there are many new goodies to come in the remainder or 2012 and 2013.

Align APS Gyro Trailer

Derrick Threatt — Sun, 20 May 2012 09:00:07 +0000

Align has released a video the demonstrates as well as mocks some of the features of the Align APS Gyro similar to the DJI Wookong-H.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Align Helicopter APS system features:

Semi-autonomous take off / Landing (Activate system, semi-autonomous takeoff into position and altitude hold, hovers in attitude hold with strong holding ability to prevent drifting, suitable for hover and flight training)
Failsafe (Activate system, automatic return home during loss of signal situation)
Auto flight (Activate system, transmitter can execute multiple waypoint settings, enabling point to point automatic flights.)
Emergency bailout stabilization (loss of orientation, activate system, aircraft flips right side up, goes into position and altitude hold hover, and wait for further command).
Autonomous return home (Completion of mission, activate return home command)
Simple logical setting through transmitter (APS system does not require complex PC setups)
Supports software upgrades

Source: Align Corp

MEGATRAILER: 2012 Oroville Fun Fly with Team A Main Hobbies

Derrick Threatt — Sun, 20 May 2012 08:18:44 +0000

Another one of my epic event trailers and the 2012 Oroville Corps Fun Fly in Oroville, CA, last weekend. Enjoy guys.

AVAILABLE: New RC Logger Pro Firmware

Everett Balmores — Sat, 19 May 2012 01:58:59 +0000

RC Logger Pro
Version: 0.1.81
Size: 3.24 MB

Unzip the archive file and follow the firmware update procedure. This firmware package has been designed for the RC Logger PRO.

[Warning]
Do not use this firmware with any other hardware as it may render your product unusable. Do not interrupt the update process since this may render the RC Logger PRO unusable.

[Firmware Update Procedure]
1. Unzip download file and prepare firmware by renaming unzipped file to rclpro.bin. Copy the renamed file in the root directory of a SD card.
2. Make sure the RC Logger PRO is switched off.
3. Insert the SD card into the RC Logger PRO.
4. Press and hold the shutter button and switch the “Off / Camera mode / Video mode switch” to either video or camera position.
5. All three LED’s will blink in blue while the upgrade is processing. If no valid firmware file is detected all three LED’s will blink red.
6. After the upgrade is finished successfully the RC Logger PRO will turn off.
7. Turn off/on the RC Logger PRO.

[0.1.81 Changes] 2012/05/15
- Added: LED indication for orientation setting:
3-times blue flashing -> normal orientation
3-times blue purple flashing -> 180 orientation
- Fixed: Debounce issue causing recording to start after releasing trigger button.

Source: RC Logger

DJI SW800 and Zemuse Gimbal Test

Derrick Threatt — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:19:53 +0000

Looks like we got a video of a production unit of the new DJI multirotor and Gimbal. Looks solid in those windy conditions. Amazing.

Click here to view the embedded video.

SW800: DJI Was at NAB 2012

Derrick Threatt — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:32:26 +0000

Well…I was there taking classes but I am not sure how the heck I missed them. I would have loved to see this in person. Looks like the SW800 is just about to be released and is working well. Looks like Quadrocopter was there outside flying some of their machines as well.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Source: Engadget

UPDATE: Latest firmware released for the RC Logger Pro

Everett Balmores — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 03:01:53 +0000

The RC Logger Team have released the latest firmware for the RC Logger Pro. Here is version 0.1.78 available for download for those owners of the RC Logger Pro.

Get the details of and a link to download version 0.1.78 by clicking through.

RC Logger PRO, FW 0.1.78
Size: 3.1 MB

Click HERE to download FW version 0.1.78.

Unzip the archive file and follow the firmware update procedure. This firmware package has been designed for the RC Logger PRO.

[Warning]
Do not use this firmware with any other hardware as it may render your product unusable. Do not interrupt the update process since this may render the RC Logger PRO unusable.

[Firmware Update Procedure]
1. Unzip download file and prepare firmware by renaming unzipped file to rclpro.bin.
Copy the renamed file in the root directory of a SD card.
2. Make sure the RC Logger PRO is switched off.
3. Insert the SD card into the RC Logger PRO.
4. Press and hold the shutter button and switch the “Off / Camera mode / Video mode switch” to either video or camera position.
5. All three LED’s will blink in blue while the upgrade is processing. If no valid firmware file is detected all three LED’s will blink red.
6. After the upgrade is finished successfully the RC Logger PRO will turn off.
7. Turn off/on the RC Logger PRO.

[0.1.78 Changes] 2012/03/30
- Added: Manual shutter speed selection (requires A/V Kit).
- Fixed: Corrected word length in UI (if using A/V Kit) for some languages.

Source: RC Logger

Copter Kids doing it Big in 2011 with their 2012 Aerial Reel

Derrick Threatt — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 05:40:20 +0000

All of you know that we are big on UAV and Multi Rotor technology. Copter Kids has been in the business for a while. They fly both single rotor and multi-rotor ships mostly running Photoship One gimbals. Trent and the team just finished up the reel for 2011 and we wanted to share it with you. I will be doing my own reel soon as well however it wont be as amazing as Trents shots.