Need help with a tethered blimp sorta thingy..

[ZRX Doug]

Alright guys, give me a hand here. I've been experimenting with various balloons (weather balloons, advertising balloons, even party balloons, God help me!) for tethered aerial photography. The plan is to come up with a nice silent craft that doesn't share the potential liabilities even the lightest planes exhibit so I can latch on to the booming residential A/P business without the constant worry of a forced landing on a lawsuit happy neighbor..

So far, wind has been a major issue..I mean, a 5mph gust will ruin your whole day, even with only a three foot round weather balloon..start using heavier vinyl advertising balloons (heavier means must be larger area) and the pitching becomes so violent, it's an instant orbital launch station for my camera. My latest thought is to build something with somewhat better wind penetration..but I don't have the slightest idea where to start, what materials to use, and what sort of tools to work with them..
Any suggestions to point me in the right direction would be appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

[Majortomski]

Try an advertising aerostat. It's a blimp shape filled with helium. It has anchor points and fins that let it "fly" into a wind so it stays up, not just blow over. You could add a rudder to steer your camera
HTH
Tom

http://www.myairship.com/reference/address_rc.html

[spinbotz]

*nods* some newer tethered balloons which can withstand fairly gusty winds are available.. I'll have to do some research to find which might suit your particular needs..

[ZRX Doug]

Well, being the cheapskate that I am, I've opted for a pair of 4 foot diameter advertising balloons suspended in tandem within an open "profile" carbon-fiber framework with a pyramid-shaped balsa framed "nose" and balsa framed tail fins. No pics yet, it's still on the drawing board in my head at this stage.

[Zeppman]

Try this: http://www.allsopphelikites.com/

[inventing_man]

Try this: http://www.allsopphelikites.com/
That looks cool! I was wondering if one could use a weather balloon , for lifting the cam and also use a 2 line stunt kite ( of proper size) tied to the lifting balloon to position it . I fly stunt kites and they are so maneuverable and precise it seems like it could "tow" the balloon exactly where you need it and hold position at least long enough to get the shot. Hummm....just might have to try this myself. :D The balloon tethered to the ground and launched. A lanyard tied around the tether so it will slide up and down the tether and attached to the kite. Launch the kite to run up the tether to a designated point for optimal towing performance.
Finding a good tow point on the kite would be about center of ballance on the top of the kite

[powerblimp]

That looks cool! I was wondering if one could use a weather balloon , for lifting the cam and also use a 2 line stunt kite ( of proper size) tied to the lifting balloon to position it . I fly stunt kites and they are so maneuverable and precise it seems like it could "tow" the balloon exactly where you need it and hold position at least long enough to get the shot. Hummm....just might have to try this myself. :D The balloon tethered to the ground and launched. A lanyard tied around the tether so it will slide up and down the tether and attached to the kite. Launch the kite to run up the tether to a designated point for optimal towing performance.
Finding a good tow point on the kite would be about center of ballance on the top of the kite
yes we tried this solution is very effective a bit complex to handel but works
try also the skydock from floatograph

[arizonaballoon]

Please try a blimp. You will have much better results. We have used blimps with good success. We don't sell R/C blimps but do have blimps (http://www.arizonaballoon.com/Advertising_Blimps) made from polyurethane which is light and strong.