What camera for pictures from a glider cockpit?

Eric Greenwell wrote:
Martin Gregorie wrote:
It would also be interesting to know of the IR control systems used
for indoor models work for this application or if they get swamped by
sunlight reflected off the wings and fuselage.

I'm not aware of this type, but I suspect swamping wouldn't be a
problem. IR units typically use modulation to avoid ambient light level
problems. Do you have a URL or two I could look at?

Sorry, no tried and tested URLs. I'm a Free Flight model flier not an RC
pilot but I read the mags and use the servos as output from Free Flight
models automatic systems. Asking your local RC club if any of them use
IR systems and talking to them if they do would probably be more useful
than reading web adverts. This way you'll find out what works and what
doesn't and crucially, what's available and well regarded in your area.

Having said that, I did a quick Google for "indoor IR control models".

http://n-lemma.com/indoorrc/

was the first hit. Cool pics, and there are links to equipment lists at
the bottom of the page. Who knows, you might even get into this stuff as
a winter activity. The links on this site may help too:

http://members.aol.com/Lecisifly/ztron.html

You need a receiver that can drive a standard servo. This will be easier
to rig to trip the camera release: the very light weight stuff uses
specialized, very small low powered control actuators and servos. Not
what you want. By "standard" servos I mean an off the shelf model shop
item with a three wire connection: they all accept the same signals and
voltage and, apart from the connectors used by different receivers, are
interchangeable. These range from small (20mm x 15mm x 7mm, 7g) upwards
and generate more oomph as they get bigger. The very small and cute
start to get expensive, but the "mini" and "standard" sizes are fairly
cheap: in the $20-$30 range per servo.

Take care to design your triggering mechanics so you can't stall a servo
or drive it into a limit stop: they don't like that at all.

--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. |
org | Zappa fan & glider pilot