Red One RC Heli Aerial Platform

[Ken Corben]

Spoke to Chris Bergen at Bergen RC helicopters. He is developing a twin turbine version of this camera ship which will fly a 3 axis gimbal mount (7lbs) and a Red One camera system (12-15lbs?)

http://www.bergenrc.com/ObserverTwin.asp

This system requires two operators - a pilot and a camera operator.

I am looking for a 50/50 partner in the LA area to build a Red One Chopper system. My current client base is non-fiction television, e.g., Discovery and Nat Geo producers. A partner with commercial clients would round out a strong business offering. Even better if you have a lower Red One reservation number.

View a Gas version test flight (note no 3 axis gimbal on this test):
http://www.bergenrc.com/mpg/helicam.mpg

[Andrew Benz]

Hi Sharkguy,

I have done alot of full size copter work for broadcast (only once though with the RC camera platform for a Regional Toyota spot), so I am really looking forward to updates and any information that you get.

Thank you for bringing this up.

[tj williams]

There is a great piece of software I saw can't remember the title but model shops have it. Hooks up to a regular remote control handset and flys the little helicopter on the computer screen. Every time you crash theres a little script comes up at the bottom of the page giving the value of the damage you caused.

This sound like a must have for you!!!
(sadly the little script can't be changed to reflect the value of twin turbo and red.)

Also with a 4'? whirling blade near the talent good idea to get some powerful insurance!

Probably these difficulties are partly responsible for the rates charged by the companies in your area that already do this with a cut down 35mm camera.

So Coptervision..... Whats your red number?????

[Steve Gibby]

Looks very cool! I'd be interested in checking this out Sharkguy. PM me when you get a chance...

I've had mixed results with remote copter footage over the years. In 2002, when I was producing/directing an action documentary in Las Vegas featuring an outdoor pro rodeo event, we brought in a small remote copter and mounted a PD10 on it to fly around over the event. I also had multiple POV helmet cams, several jibs, and a crew of 30 people overall. In testing the copter just before the event we got some real good footage, but RF interference from some nearby downtown Las Vegas buildings interferred with the operators commands and the copter suddenly nosedived straight into the ground - 30 minutes before the start of the event (the footage looked way cool right up to the blackout as it hit!). The event went on without that aerial angle and I was bummed about that - it would have been a cool "go-to" angle when we were editing the program.

Other times I've gotten good reliable footage from remote copters.

TJ - you're right, make sure that all risk insurance is current! To pull permits in any locality you'll need it anyway.

[_BK]

TJ - I think you are refering to 'RealFlight' ...its a flight simulator for RC planes and helis. I practiced on that software for days before taking my RC heli in the air, but still ended up crashing it into the ground...:o

[Jeff Kilgroe]

RC helis are tough to fly. I used to build RC planes and helis with my dad and we would fly a lot - mostly planes. I never really "got it" when it came to the helis, I guess I just need to build and crash a few more to get good.

[Jarred Land]

i can attest to Heli's being hard.. I spent some hours on a simple pico and almost killed alot of innocent bystanders.

but thats cool as hell..

[Chris Gearhart]

. . . almost killed alot of innocent bystanders.

but thats cool as hell..

Killing innocent bystanders does sound cool. :D Never tried it though. (Well, tried, but never actually did it.)

[Terry Delahunt]

Have you seen how they used a heli for the flying car scene in Harry P..
Take a look at the video link at the top right of this page:-

http://
http://www.flying-cam.com/news.php?id=4&PHPSESSID=d086add894462f51a717db8a1786e39f