Regatta Drone

I used to be involved in development of small video piloted helicopters. This is one of the applications I thought would happen one day. Now it is! The video here was taken by a small electic helicopter(pix below): ( part of story from http://www.sailinganarchy.com/index_page1.php )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF82RUDCNlw&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLCDD0491D090AF391

click on image:

 

More from The Daily Sail-excerpt-you have to subscribe to read the whole article: http://www.thedailysail.com/node/60066

Video Helidrone

While the EUROSAF High Performance Grand Prix may be a first in bringing together the kiteboards, skiffs, foilers and catamarans in one regatta, another technical innovation being showcased here on Murcia’s Mar Menor is that of a remote control model helicopter from which high definition video can be shot. The project is that of Alejandro Sobron Rueda and Jose Luis Alvarez. Both living in Madrid, Rueda is an aeronautical engineering studying at university, while Alvarez by trade is a sound engineer, the two having developed a friendship as they live near to each other and are both musicians. Rueda has been designing and building model helicopters and planes for the last 10 years and has developed his latest flying machine over the course of the last year. The helicopter, which has been quietly buzzing over the race course, measures about 0.7 x 0.7m in plan view with eight propellers mounted in a square configuration. The propellers are driven by battery powered electric motors, enough for a flying time of up to around 20 minutes. While the basic design and technology used in the helicopter is of German origin, Rueda has carried out considerable customisation to accept the two cameras fitted to it. One camera is a miniature low resolution webcam type, while the other, slung beneath the main body of the helicopter, is a compact lightweight GoPro. The former is the ‘pilot’ camera while the GoPro records the high definition footage. Images from both are beamed back to a base station ashore where there are two screens showing the output from the cameras. However this is just the beginning. Telemetry from a GPS is beamed back from the chopper and there is an ‘auto’ mode which can be programmed with latitude, longitude and altitude, so that the helicopter remains hovering in one position ....
Picture by Nico Martinez:

 

We are looking at doing the same thing with a remote control plane for Mardi Gras Race Week. Sadly the vibration mounts we would need for a gas engine make it to heavy, and the electric has about the same time limitation. With safety reserves it means about 10 minutes of filming before landing.

 

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Stumble, check out the camera isolation system in this patent. It worked perfectly on a gas powered helicopter and was very light. Had shake free video in 1986. You can click on the pdf and scroll down to see it. A major key to the isolation was the Stock Drive Products miniature spring vibration isolator-not sure they are still available but if not something better probably is:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5015187.html

 

Has to work out much cheaper then running full size choppers, but 20minutes isn't all that long. I guess if you had several filming different sections of the race you could get reasonable coverage.

Cheers
Mojo

 

Doug,

I don't know anything about the technology, just what the pilot of the drone told me. Of course since he is volunteering his time and equipment I can't really complain. I think part of the problem is the difference between possible and affordable, which is amazingly enough a wall this regatta hits often.

By the way, we just confirmed that Brian Bennett's new VX-OD will be making its world debu at MGRW with an expected fleet of about 10 boats.

 

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While I'm thinking about it, you should e-mail Tom Hayman at Hydrosail about the Mardi Gras event-their new boat is sailing and might be able to make it. hydrosail@aol.com

http://sites.google.com/site/hydrosail/HydroSail-Home

the boat:"Osprey"