UAV video platform - soaring video potential?

An example of what the cool kids are doing when they don't have time or money to soar...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma0zeE5QOs8

Hazards managed, this rig would make some great soaring videos. I'd love to see a winch launch from above (and off to the side).

Cost of the rig used to make the video:
Phantom 2 + H3-3D Gimbal ($995) AVL58 FPV Kit with Zeiss Goggles ($1150) iOSD Mini (On Screen Display) ($69)

I have a hex with FPV, 3-axis gimbal GoPro Hero 3 and a PowerFlarm. Haven't tried it with gliders in the air yet. Even so, I don't think it makes me a cool kid :-(

On Wednesday, August 13, 2014 11:44:28 AM UTC-4, wrote:
I have a hex with FPV, 3-axis gimbal GoPro Hero 3 and a PowerFlarm. Haven't tried it with gliders in the air yet. Even so, I don't think it makes me a cool kid :-(

Anybody with a PowerFlarm on his Hex is definitely cool. That's brillant.

Here it is without camera or PF mounted. It also floats. Ask Sean Fidler why that's a good thing - along with some prop guards. ;-)

https://docs.google.com/folderview?i...doc slist_api

On Wednesday, August 13, 2014 11:18:34 AM UTC-5, wrote:
Here it is without camera or PF mounted. It also floats. Ask Sean Fidler why that's a good thing - along with some prop guards. ;-)



https://docs.google.com/folderview?i...doc slist_api

The scary thing is that any idiot with the money to get one can endanger themselves and others, they are remarkably easy to fly. I'm just waiting for the first serious midair with a GA aircraft, a balloon or a glider. These bozos are flying around (illegally right now) people, vehicles, aircraft and over private property. There will be accidents. FPV flying outside line-of-sight is illegal, even below 400' and outside the 5 mi perimeter of airports.

On Wednesday, August 13, 2014 8:28:41 PM UTC-4, wrote:

The scary thing is that any idiot with the money to get one can endanger themselves and others, they are remarkably easy to fly. I'm just waiting for the first serious midair with a GA aircraft, a balloon or a glider.

That's a valid concern, but to put the risk in perspective, they weigh 3-5 pounds. Given their long-armed-structure, shape and size, a mid-air would probably be a glancing blow. A serious accident is certainly possible.

I think the people flying these are birds-of-a-feather with glider pilots and I'd hope that we stay on friendly terms and not be antagonistic when and if our paths cross.

On Wednesday, August 13, 2014 7:28:41 PM UTC-5, wrote:

The scary thing is that any idiot with the money to get one can endanger themselves and others, they are remarkably easy to fly. I'm just waiting for the first serious midair with a GA aircraft, a balloon or a glider. These bozos are flying around (illegally right now) people, vehicles, aircraft and over private property. There will be accidents. FPV flying outside line-of-sight is illegal, even below 400' and outside the 5 mi perimeter of airports.

One word: Shotgun

Kirk
66

http://blogs.findlaw.com/decided/201...law-judge.html

On Wednesday, August 13, 2014 8:28:41 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Wednesday, August 13, 2014 11:18:34 AM UTC-5, wrote:

Here it is without camera or PF mounted. It also floats. Ask Sean Fidler why that's a good thing - along with some prop guards. ;-)







https://docs.google.com/folderview?i...doc slist_api



The scary thing is that any idiot with the money to get one can endanger themselves and others, they are remarkably easy to fly. I'm just waiting for the first serious midair with a GA aircraft, a balloon or a glider. These bozos are flying around (illegally right now) people, vehicles, aircraft and over private property. There will be accidents. FPV flying outside line-of-sight is illegal, even below 400' and outside the 5 mi perimeter of airports.

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/0...an-104393.html

On Wednesday, August 13, 2014 8:28:41 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Wednesday, August 13, 2014 11:18:34 AM UTC-5, wrote:

Here it is without camera or PF mounted. It also floats. Ask Sean Fidler why that's a good thing - along with some prop guards. ;-)







https://docs.google.com/folderview?i...doc slist_api



The scary thing is that any idiot with the money to get one can endanger themselves and others, they are remarkably easy to fly. I'm just waiting for the first serious midair with a GA aircraft, a balloon or a glider. These bozos are flying around (illegally right now) people, vehicles, aircraft and over private property. There will be accidents. FPV flying outside line-of-sight is illegal, even below 400' and outside the 5 mi perimeter of airports.

Since you mentioned it...

Last month, while on downwind in our Pipistrel Sinus at Moriarty, we
were hit broadside by something. The left door frame was broken in
three places and the door folded inward horizontally in the middle. I
had to hold it out of the way while finishing the pattern and landing.

At first I thought we'd been hit by an eagle but there was no biological
evidence of that, only some deep scratches on the left side window.
Someone at the airport suggested that it could have been a UAV. Damage
was over $2000! Thank you Costello for quickly getting repairs
completed. If it was a UAV and I ever learned who was flying it, I'd
want to have a friendly chat with the fellow.

Dan Marotta

On 8/13/2014 6:28 PM, wrote:
On Wednesday, August 13, 2014 11:18:34 AM UTC-5, wrote:
Here it is without camera or PF mounted. It also floats. Ask Sean Fidler why that's a good thing - along with some prop guards. ;-)



https://docs.google.com/folderview?i...doc slist_api
The scary thing is that any idiot with the money to get one can endanger themselves and others, they are remarkably easy to fly. I'm just waiting for the first serious midair with a GA aircraft, a balloon or a glider. These bozos are flying around (illegally right now) people, vehicles, aircraft and over private property. There will be accidents. FPV flying outside line-of-sight is illegal, even below 400' and outside the 5 mi perimeter of airports.