Trying my hand at aerial video with my SC

[wvrailfan]

I put an 808 #11 digital video cam on my Park 450 powered SC and flew it up high enough to see over the surrounding hills. I am flying near Upper Falls on the Coal River in WV.

vimeo.com/30907526

Jim

[john66]

Really nice quality video, what cam are you using? edit Doh, you mention in the post, was just looking at the vid!

If I'm honest not too keen on the cam position, too much sky!

Dont mean to be rude, its really nice quality vid, just be good to see more of where you're flying over. I notice after a couple of min when the plane starts descending the scenery looks awesome just be cool if you could get a good shot from underneath for the whole flight.

John

[wvrailfan]

The camera is mounted with about a 8 degree down angle. The first two minutes are climbing, so you are naturally going to see a lot of sky. If I increase the down angle then when the plane levels out the camera will be pointing down more than I like.

Thanks for the input.
Jim

[john66]

Yes I know what you mean, its difficult finding a good mounting place for a cam top marks for no annoying strobing prop!

John

[wvrailfan]

I mount the camera on the underside of the wing outboard of the struts. I use velcro, and some tape for insurance.

I also made a dummy out of balsa wood with a nickle the same weight and size to balance the weight and wind deflection as the wing with the camera wanted to drop the first time I tried this set up.

The plane flies great with the camera and dummy on board.



Jim

[wvrailfan]

Took the SC up yesterday evening with the #11 on board. A group of about six Turkey Vultures flew over head so I turned the plane, hoping to get them on video. I didn't realize there was a straggler and it flew right in front of the plane as I was making the turn.


He was only in the image for less than a second, but I captured this screen shot.

Jim