Our DJI S800 is lit to show FLYSAFE’s lighting standards for visibility.
Articles and photos by Charles Eide
Learn the basics of safely taking photos aloft.
As featured in the December 2013 issue of Model Aviation
Fly Line of Sight
If you invest in quality equipment, flying FPV can be fun, but it’s not 100% reliable. In the event of a signal loss, you could be in trouble. Always fly line of sight and only use your downlink as a reference.
Accidents can happen and you don’t want to end up on the news, so never fly over people. The truth is, no matter how great of a pilot you are or how good your equipment is, things go wrong. Don’t fly over people and you won’t crash into them.
Be a safe pilot and teach others to be safe. The more you advocate for the safe operation of radio control aerial photography, the better.
Time Your Flights and Monitor Voltage
It’s a good idea to set up a timer on your transmitter so you can time every flight down to the second. Make sure to always land with at least one minute of reserve. This ensures your safety and that of your equipment.
I recommend flying with voltage monitors with an adjustable audible alarm. You can purchase them for less than $10 each online.
Remember that it’s easy to depend on technology. Watch your altitude, don’t fly higher than 400 feet, and don’t fly near airports. Fly line of sight and know your limits and those of your machine. Remember that we must respect aviation regulations for the continued safety of general and commercial aviation.
Find a Helper
I recommend having a safety pilot with you at all times. This means there are two sets of eyes watching for potential issues. Consider having one person fly and the other operate the camera. Always focus on safety.
A helicopter gimbal that is made to carry larger cinema cameras.
Stability Is Everything
This is especially true if you are shooting video. In the radio control aerial photography industry, many companies are introducing new camera-stability technology that makes things easier. I like the DJI Zenmuse. The beauty of the product is its seamlessness. It is made for specific cameras, making triggering the camera easy. It also simplifies converting the video out signal for real-time monitoring from your ground station.
PhotoShip One offers a new system called the Phoenix. It’s a brushless drive gimbal that uses technology similar to the Zenmuse. I have ordered a Phoenix gimbal and am excited to get my hands on it.
Frame Your Shot
If you are shooting video, don’t over-control the camera. If you are shooting still photos, get a variety of angles and take plenty.
Blurry photos are inevitable because of the nature of flight. The better your gimbal, the fewer blurry shots you will take. Set the shutter on your camera to a setting that is higher than 1/250 to take crisp shots.
We took this image of a lake in Minnesota 150 feet above ground level, well below the 400-foot limit.
Two beautiful winter real estate photo shots in mid-January in 20° temperatures.
Invest in a Good Camera
GoPro cameras are adequate for the average radio control aerial photographer. If you want your photos to stand out, use a better camera. I recommend the Sony NEX-7. Expect to pay $500 to $2,000 for a quality camera, plus the cost of lenses.
For the Love of RC
The love of RC binds us together, and aerial photography makes RC more rewarding than ever. Embrace the incredible things that aerial photography can offer while respecting other modelers and the public.
Remember to FLY SAFE!