halbacker007
Aug 01, 2006, 02:37 PM
Newby post here, so be forewarned...
My objective is to be able to get an aerial photograph from 100 or so feet. Just go up, snap a few pics and then land. The only maneuvering would be to compensate for wind. I would like to do this with an electrical flying device rather than gas for noise considerations. In my research, I have read and been told that helicopters have a rather steep learning curve and as such probably wouldn't be a long term solution since we want a novice to be able to do this task.
Now, I've built a remote control camera rig that we've tested with a kite that works quite well. However, since a kite, and for that matter a glider, blimp, helicopter, draganflyer, etc... isn't an exact fit for my needs, I've taken to trying to design something that will do what I need.
http://www.watersag.com/images/camera rig sm.jpg
My search for answers has brought me here. My questions are asked from the perspective of one who has never flown a r/c plane. I am brand spankin' new to this area so take that into consideration...speak s l o w l y and use small words!
What I have in mind is what I have seen termed 'coax' blades mounted in a setup similar to the camera rig we put together (I hope the picture link works, if not I will be working on getting it to!). This would allow the blades to be simultaneously pitched to compensate for gusts and to position the craft. To overcome the potential for the whole thing going out of control and flipping, I was thinking it could rest on legs which would have batteries placed on them to both balance the craft and move the center of gravity. In my mind, I feel like the legs hanging down would act like a kite tail, or feathers on an arrow, and with the leverage effect and gravity, the battery's would counter any attempt for the craft to roll or take off in a horizontal direction.
The camera could be suspended between the legs protected by a cone shaped deflector (which might also provide additional upward thrust (by diverting the airflow out and down?)
Now, don't laugh, but when I drew my plans out, I immediately knew what to name this craft. You are among the few to be the first to view, "The Weber"...
http://www.watersag.com/images/Weber.jpg
Any input? Since I've never seen a coax blade setup, can anyone point me in the right direction for building one from scratch? What size blades would provide enough thrust to overcome the earth's attraction to a 4 lb. object?
Any similarity to other devices preconcieved or constructed is purely coincidental. The author believes he is the first nincompoop to have this specific design idea and as such reserves all rights and criticisms as his own!
Thanks in advance for any advice, constructive criticism, etc...
My objective is to be able to get an aerial photograph from 100 or so feet. Just go up, snap a few pics and then land. The only maneuvering would be to compensate for wind. I would like to do this with an electrical flying device rather than gas for noise considerations. In my research, I have read and been told that helicopters have a rather steep learning curve and as such probably wouldn't be a long term solution since we want a novice to be able to do this task.
Now, I've built a remote control camera rig that we've tested with a kite that works quite well. However, since a kite, and for that matter a glider, blimp, helicopter, draganflyer, etc... isn't an exact fit for my needs, I've taken to trying to design something that will do what I need.
http://www.watersag.com/images/camera rig sm.jpg
My search for answers has brought me here. My questions are asked from the perspective of one who has never flown a r/c plane. I am brand spankin' new to this area so take that into consideration...speak s l o w l y and use small words!
What I have in mind is what I have seen termed 'coax' blades mounted in a setup similar to the camera rig we put together (I hope the picture link works, if not I will be working on getting it to!). This would allow the blades to be simultaneously pitched to compensate for gusts and to position the craft. To overcome the potential for the whole thing going out of control and flipping, I was thinking it could rest on legs which would have batteries placed on them to both balance the craft and move the center of gravity. In my mind, I feel like the legs hanging down would act like a kite tail, or feathers on an arrow, and with the leverage effect and gravity, the battery's would counter any attempt for the craft to roll or take off in a horizontal direction.
The camera could be suspended between the legs protected by a cone shaped deflector (which might also provide additional upward thrust (by diverting the airflow out and down?)
Now, don't laugh, but when I drew my plans out, I immediately knew what to name this craft. You are among the few to be the first to view, "The Weber"...
http://www.watersag.com/images/Weber.jpg
Any input? Since I've never seen a coax blade setup, can anyone point me in the right direction for building one from scratch? What size blades would provide enough thrust to overcome the earth's attraction to a 4 lb. object?
Any similarity to other devices preconcieved or constructed is purely coincidental. The author believes he is the first nincompoop to have this specific design idea and as such reserves all rights and criticisms as his own!
Thanks in advance for any advice, constructive criticism, etc...