[sci.electronics] an eye in the sky

phil@amdcad.UUCP (09/22/87)

One of the reasons I'd like to fly is to get a view of the area I live
in. I'm sure many of the readers of this article like to get window
seats on commercial flights. Seeing the new 8 mm battery operated
camcorders makes me wonder about the possibility of putting one on an
RC model airplane. 

I know almost nothing about them. What kind of payloads can they
carry? How long can they stay up? What kind of field do they need for
takeoff and landing? What is the range of the controller?  Are there
likely to be any ordinances governing their operation?  (can I be
naughty and spy on my neighbors sunbathing in the nude?) How much do
they cost? Are they difficult to learn to operate?

It would be real nice to have a real time data link but I expect this
kind of thing would be difficult, especially without a ham license. I
could probably settle for viewing a videotape but if anyone can
suggest a way to achieve a real time data link that would be really
neat. 

-- 
I speak for myself, not the company.

Phil Ngai, {ucbvax,decwrl,allegra}!amdcad!phil or amdcad!phil@decwrl.dec.com

dce@starfish.UUCP (09/30/87)

I've seen something like this on some nature show.  It was about this man that 
raised a flock of gesse.  The gesse would follow him where ever he went.  He 
would run his boat down the river and the geese would follow him.  In order to 
get them to fly he had to use a RC plane.  He then use a rather large RC plane 
equiped with a RC 16mm film camera with real time feedback via video.  Yes he 
had help from a ham.  The view was fantastic.  Repost to rec.ham-radio for 
more info.

Have fun!


>
  > 
    >
      >
       >
         RC plane
       >
     >
    >
  >
>