Schiebel kindly sent me this morning a link with this video on it. Its pretty amazing and certainly to my mind points at how Europe really is pulling ahead of the USA. (starting a flame war there) Imagine how difficult it would have been test flying the system in the USA.
I think there will be a rush towards large helicopter based systems now. This will become the minimum expected standard from movie UAS. It will cost a bit that's for sure.
It excited me enough yesterday to add it to our UAS Got Talent tab, if you have an entry then please suggest away.
Its on show in Las Vegas this week.
Comments
It currently costs around 3,000 usd per hour to put an AS350 with Cineflex in the air. I doubt that this will be much cheaper unless it is used on an everyday basis.
Ho ho as if to prove that Europe is a little more free thinking when it comes to UA
http://www.suasnews.com/2012/04/14761/blue-peter-gets-its-own-drone/
If it's good enough for Blue Peter it's good enough for me!
Well that worked ;-)
Ron as a civilian, with no COA try and test a UAS legally in the USA and see what happens.
Yep Europe is pulling ahead of South Africa, so are many many other countries l don't have a problem with that, this is after all Africa.
You can legally operate UAS commercially with a licence that is simple to get in the UK (sort of) and you can even pay to test fly it here if you like http://www.flyuav.co.uk/ there are many other places like that up and down Europe, in fact the ones very far north allow almost 24 hour daylight operation during long summer nights. I think there are currently just shy of 100 licenced operators in the UK. Australia is even further down the road with proposed Commercial Pilots Licence (UA) on the table. The UK will follow soon.
The relaxed attitude in the UK allowed me to fly a simple wing at Farnborough 2010, the next aircraft on display was an Airbus A380. I think you will find UA have never been shown to a public audience of 75k in the USA anywhere. Ok all right most people would never have seen it but you know what I mean. (I could be wrong there, did'nt a Predator go into Oshkosh once)
Thanks for the kind words Jason, 15/7/1986 and 26/9/1990
Ron, you need to review airspace classifications. There is no airspace in the US that begins or ends at 500AGL. Have a look at 14 CFR Part 71. Even if you are referring to AC 91-57, that guidance is 400AGL, and it is for amateur and hobbyist operation only.
You should also reference Interim Operational Approval Guidance 08-01, and the Unmanned Aircraft Program Office FAQ for information on the commercial operation on unmanned aircraft. The only airspace in which you can operate UAS commercially is special use airspace, and access to restricted areas is not easy, or cheap, to come by.
While the barriers to entry for aviation are lower here in the US, and we do not yet have user fees, to say that you "can fly ANYTHING in uncontrolled airspace" is grossly inaccurate.
Further, you don't likely know anything about the South African aerospace industry.
What a ridiculous statement. If you intend to start a flame war you could at least start it based on an educated statement instead of one based on ignorance. You clearly have zero knowledge of the FAA and US airspace. Here in the use we live under some, if not the least restrictive aviation systems in the world. In most countries in the world and certainly in all the European countries only the very wealthy can fly and the restrictions on what can be flown are brutal. Here in the US you can fly ANYTHING in uncontrolled airspace - that's below 500 feet AGL in case you don't know your airspace. And, it's possible get permits to test such equipment at higher altitudes as long as you pick the right areas. Seriously, you live in South Africa - don't get me started! How easy would it be to test fly this in your country? What about Europe pulling ahead of S.A.? Whoops, I don't think they are pulling ahead SA isn't even on the radar screen. I don't normally get so vocal about such things but what a ridiculous premise for a post. Really, say something productive or don't say anything at all.
Even if a manned helo doesnt have the endurance, if the costs per hour of footage is less then a manned helo will still be the most attractive option, even if it takes multiple flights. This is assuming the customer doesnt require 6 hours of non stop coverage.
I think the new technology is fascinating but just like electric cars, it wont replace established technology until it gaves a clear advantage at a competitive price.
Alright challenge accepted.
Tony White slapped me on the wrist reminding me that he had flown a Cineflex under a blimp some time ago.
http://www.suasnews.com/2012/04/14724/galaxy-airships-flying-a-cine...
@John show me a manned heli that can fly for 6 hours on the trot with a film crew....
Thats impressive but it has to be cheaper than a manned helicopter to work.
That is one SWEET looking bird!
With that said, I doubt it'll compete with a well designed Octocopter. And they'll need to make the landing gear (flippers?) retractable to get the best usage out of the camera.
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