While copying old tapes to digital, I came across this vintage footage.

In 1992 I was asked to be in an educational series. This video is the first time I got into FPV (First Person View) and making video from an RC helicopter. I knew there was a reason I love quads with cameras on them.

My new Inspire 1 from DJI has really peaked my interest again so this video was a real treat. I may contend for the most boring video you've watched but believe me, it has some good memories packed in there. I especially love the excitement at the end from the bystanders saying how cool that was to try. I think that excitement is still out there, it's just the angry ones that are so loud.

I certainly don't want to go to a National Park and see a bunch of visitors get off the bus with drones circling their heads taking selfies the whole time but I sure think it would be cool to be mountain biking down a great trail with a drone 50 ft out video taping the descent.

Vintage FPV - Full Size Video Camera on a Helicopter (4 min 1 sec)

My Video Channel on Youtube is found here:

https://www.youtube.com/user/brichristensen

Well, I thought it would be cool to video tape in slow motion a pumpkin loaded with 1/2 lb of Tannerite. Nope. New GoPro needed.

That's pumpkin juice inside the GoPro "protective" camera case, and the GoPro itself, and the trees, cars and people within 200 ft. Left a 2 ft crater.

What happens to GoPro with Tannerite? (0 min 9 sec)

Having "Salonit Packed" as my last blog entry really bugged. So here's another entry.

I do a project each month that stretches my knowledge and skills. It usually requires new special tools - well, that's not true I just like buying tools.

This month is a 7 layer maple longboard with decorative wood inlay. I'm not a huge longboarder but I wanted to build something that required some decent wood skills.

I bought the wood laminates and will make a foam mold. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find decorative wood inlay pieces and certainly hard to find in the 48" length needed. I found several decorative wood inlay sample packs of 25 and 50 pieces including domestic and foreign wood samples. Except for the 6" lengths, these are perfect and only cost a little bit on Amazon.

The maple is light and I plan on taking rectangle sections of the darker wood inlay pieces and aligning them down the longboard. The final finished top should look spectacular. At least that's the plan.

Haven't figured out how to put grip tape on the top without covering up all the beautiful wood. All the "clear" griptape is quite opaque.

Salonit packed and ready

My Salonit...Continue Reading

Stobel V3 build specifics....Continue Reading

When did life start getting in the way of my hobby? I have five projects on my table right now and this post is a reminder to myself to get them done.

Cularis FPV, final touches needed including test flight.
Espada R
Naza DJI F450, went together in an hour, took another hour to figure out why it kept beeping incessantly (tried using 2cell lipo and it was looking for at least a 3 cell lipo). First flight in the house, no problem. Second, third, no problem. On the fourth flight wanted to see if it would do a roll - nope. Broke two arms and an ESC. Man I love the way this flies. So stable in Auto mode.
Concept X2, round two. New one on the table, old one needs minor repairs.
Pilatus Porter needs major work. Almost took out the industrial sprinkler wheel that it hit.

I need to sell some stuff.

Today I start a new project. Cularis FPV. I hope to complete something I've been thinking about doing for years. Fly a plane, down the canyon next to my house and then back up all using a screen. Video must be excellent, and I hope to not crash.

The bigger goal is to fly up near Lone Peak and back from my back yard. I have line of site to this place.

I'm not a blogger. But I have plenty to say.