Pilot – Page 3 – Drone Mission Blog and Aerial Services

Walkera iLook+ 1080p FPV Camera

Synopsis: This is the new and improved all-in-one FPV camera with built-in video transmitter – the iLook+. What makes the iLook+ camera different from other action cameras, it is FPV ready! No extra video transmitter to install. Some people call it a FPV backpack, and have been packing them into a box to make it swappable. You can change and reroute the antenna anywhere, but conveniently it has one attached, if you prefer not to have too many wires. It uses the same antenna as a Fatshark, so if you are pleased with a Fatshark setup, it is the same. The iLook and iLook+ are identical in size and shape, other than the lens and resolution.

The iLook+ has a wide angle 1080p lens for FPV, providing a more stabilized recording…

Continue reading Walkera iLook+ 1080p FPV Camera

Remzibi Poor Man’s OSD for FPV

Synopsis: Remzibi OSD is a very versatile OSD that can be adapted on any FPV system, as it has a GPS integrated into the system! The OSD board uses the GPS module to capture information like heading, speed, altitude and lat/long coordinates. In addition, it uses an ATMEL processor to capture information like battery voltage (video and main/motor) and other functions like Variometer which shows up and down changes in altitude. The configuration software written by HappyKillmore is by far one the best one, complete with all functionality a pilot would need. For our tests, we plan to integrate Remzibi with Walkera QR x350. Even though you have to remember to click the button each time to save the home position, it is definite the easiest OSD to integrate on any FPV setup…

Continue reading Remzibi Poor Man’s OSD for FPV

Walkera E-Eyes GPS Plane

Synopsis: Looking to quickly add to our fleet of search planes, we snooped around for some ready-to-fly GPS planes in the market for our volunteer trainers. We contacted Walkera to find out more about their new planes. We have decided to test this new model E-Eyes GPS. This selection is based on it’s FPV readiness, failsafe and the GPS flight controller that is compatible with our 10 channel radios or use your own receiver/radio.

During the test we will see how it handles in turbulence, flight time, payload, GPS accuracy and failsafe. Those nation flags are going to stay, as they match our volunteer list country of origins…

Continue reading Walkera E-Eyes GPS Plane

Hubsan H107D FPV X4 Quadcopter

Synopsis: Occasionally we have the opportunity to test out some of the new entry level quads in our lab. So this month we have something special, the smallest First Person View (FPV) ready-to-fly quadcopter made by Hubsan, a contender to the popular Ladybird. It is quite amazing how Hubsan is able to pack everything, including a camera and video transmitter into a quad, smaller than a Ladybird, with 6-axis gyro flight controller. The package even comes with a radio transmitter, video receiver and a blight large LCD screen, ready for beginners to start flying first person view and filming. This may be one of the best seller of all time, this model enters the market at the right time and right place.

Hubsan X4 H107D actually comes with one of the more impressive printed Instruction Manual I have seen for a while, it actually explains everything you need to know in great detail and well written…

Continue reading Hubsan H107D FPV X4 Quadcopter

FrSky Taranis and APM 2.6 Camera Gimbal Flight Test

Storyline: A clear day on October 2013, out to test a completely new quadcopter we built, along with a fantastic combination of new gears. The first scene starts off with the Taranis and build-in Gimbal test, as that was new and a highlight to this flight (everything is new except the video camera). The gimbal was managed by Ardupilot (a flight controller, basically a computer) that kept the camera level at all times during accelerations and dives. We have never used the gimbal function (A10) before, so that was exciting to see how it handles video. Entering Pirate’s Cove (0:18), that was filmed at 60 frames per second with a Sony DSC-HX30V camera, and frame rate was reduced by 50% (30 fps) giving a smooth slow motion effect. A signature shot of the aircraft added to a moving car scene and then back to the sequence showing a couple taking photos of the big shark. At 0:45, we began the flight in first person view, another classic signature shot with the props spinning and the motors running (got to have that sound of the motors spinning up). The flight scenes were shot with a keychain camera #16 Lens D as that was the lightest and easiest way to video anything.

The control over this new quadcopter was excellent, maybe it was the Taranis or maybe the Opto ESC and DJI motors, or maybe just a combination of everything and the design…
Continue reading FrSky Taranis and APM 2.6 Camera Gimbal Flight Test

Portable DVR Monitor Blackbox Ausek Dual Lens Car DVR

Synopsis: We have been looking for a portable, light weight monitor and recorder to go with any transmitter on the field. The Ausek AK-X3L designed for car video recorder is a H.264 Dual Lens Car DVR /G-Sensor HD1920x720P /2.7′ LCD/HDMI/External IR Rear Camera. It is low cost and does just the job. It records all of our flight data with a click of a button, which allows us to airborne within 2 minutes on the scene. It is our favorite choice because is so light and convenient and attaches to our flight goggle.

This DVR records at 720p high resolution videos, the purpose is to record all flight data, especially GPS co-ordinates…

Continue reading Portable DVR Monitor Blackbox Ausek Dual Lens Car DVR

W Hotel Fort Lauderdale with APM Drone 2013

Storyline: At 7 a.m. we were ready to catch the morning sun before conference. This is in 2013, so there were not many gimbal easily available for a quadcopter, but the locatiton was worth some shots. Not many people have ever seen a quadcopter. We had with us a set of brand new SunnySky motors kv 980 for this flight. We kicked off the first scene with showcasing HoryzonHD v3, a FPV camera tested on this flight and then began rolling into a classic moving car sequence, , featuring Fort Lauderdale. We then provided a first glimpsed of the majestic W Hotel Helipad (Ground Station) and back to the car sequence in slow motion to the waiting Ocean Rescue Team. This scene filmed at 60 frames was reduced by 50% (30 fps), to create a smooth slow motion effect. Next, a shot of the beaches and a signature fly-by.

To transition to the flight scene, we took you back to the W Hotel again, a peek of the architecture provided a sense of how tall the hotel is. At frame 0:47, we began the flight in first person view, another classic signature sequence with the motors ringing (got to have that sound of the motors spinning up) along with our favorite epic music piece by Rocco…

Continue reading W Hotel Fort Lauderdale with APM Drone 2013

Fatshark Attitude

Synopsis: The best all round FPV headset in the Fat Shark lineup. Smaller and lighter than its predecessors, the Attitude SD is packed with new technology. The new 35 degree FOV display strikes a perfect balance between large screen immersion and compact pixel density clarity. The AttitudeSD uses the same polarized backlight technology in the Dominator display for vibrant colors and has adjustable IPD for dialing in the optic sweet spot. Without IPD adjustment, it makes it hard to fit your eyes, thanks for bringing that back in Attitude. The improvements extend to the exterior as well with a rubberized velvety texture, tactile motion IPD sliders, secured rubber eye cups and a thinner head strap.
The AttitudeSD includes the latest generation MIG tracker (V4) head tracker with new algorithm refinements for drift free precision head tracking. Package with the integrated 5.8Ghz receiver module is latest generation with improved sensitivity that increases range by 40% over previous models. The module has also has improved high pass filtering to make it impervious to 433Mhz and 2.4Ghz UHF radio interference. Don’t want to use the build-in receiver, just turn it off and use your own external receiver of your choice and video in. This headset looks and feels great from the inside out.

Continue reading Fatshark Attitude

APM Arducopter Camera Gimbal Setup Mission Planner

Synopsis: We have been skipping the ArduPilot Camera Gimbal page for a while, so finally we are back to revisit this feature. ArduCopter can stabilize a gimbal with up to three axis of motion using any of the free output channels. This really mades APM one of the best flight controller around.

As recommended, we did not connect the servo’s power (red) and ground (black) wires to the RC10 (A10) or (A11), as it may cause the APM to brownout when the servos move. Instead we rerouted the wires to power the servos from an external BEC from the APM’s rear power rail (Output 7) with the JP1 jumper removed. For this DJI Opto ESC, we needed a UBEC, we therefore used a 3A/5V on Output 8. Once you have your wiring done, you will use Mission Planner to setup your gimbal. If you plan to assign your Input Ch to RC6, please remember to complete a radio calibration with the dial you have assigned to RC6, if not you may see your gimbal behaving erratically.

That leads us to another favorite video putting the gimbal in action. I had fun filming at the Pirate’s Cove.

Continue reading APM Arducopter Camera Gimbal Setup Mission Planner