Telemaster Airplane

This is our 12’ wingspan giant Telemaster airplane. Back in roughly 2009 when we were doing a lot of aerial filming for John Deere we needed an aerial platform that could cover a lot more area when airborne. Our R/C Helicopters at the time were only good for about 300 yards from the pilot which is a small area in a 1 mile square corn field. This aircraft with full flaps could fly as slow as 25 mph and was comfortable to fly out to 1000 yards, greatly improving the quality of shots that we could get in large open areas. Originally a single engine aircraft we modified it to be a twin motor electric aircraft. It ran on two 50 volt 5000 mah battery packs. Pitch, roll and yaw axis were stabilized via three Futaba GY-701 Heading lock Gyros. These gyros had three modes; off, stabilize and heading lock. In heading lock mode you could put the airplane in basically any attitude and it would stay there unassisted until you released it. The three axis gimbal housed a Panasonic HPX-170 camera. We flew the crap out of that camera for a number of years.

Starship

This is the last single rotor Helicopter that I did prior to Multirotors hitting the market. I worked with the owner at Freefly Systems to incorporate the use of the best existing products; Tailrotor, Swashplate and Rotorhead assemblies from different Manufactures and design to produce a Helicopter that was completely customizable depending on usage and payload requirements. The main rotor electric motor could be installed in front of the mainshaft or behind it depending on weight distribution needs. The top tray that supports the batteries could also be rotated 180 degrees if needed. It was a superb flying Helicopter that only saw about a year of service as Multirotors were just starting to hit the scene and very quickly took over the role of primary vehicle for the purpose of close range, low altitude aerial filming.

Uses for Drones

Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have become invaluable tools in various industries beyond recreational use. Their versatility, maneuverability, and ability to capture data in real time make them a valuable asset in applications from agriculture to emergency response. Here’s a look at some of the most significant and innovative uses for drones today: 

 1. Aerial Photography and Videography One of the most popular uses of drones is capturing stunning visuals from the sky. From filmmakers to photographers, drones have opened up creative possibilities, enabling unique shots previously attainable only with helicopters or cranes. Drones are also used in real estate marketing, allowing agents to show properties from a new perspective, and in tourism promotions, capturing landscapes in ways that attract and inspire travelers.

 2. Agriculture and Farming In agriculture, drones equipped with specialized sensors can monitor crop health, assess soil conditions, and even apply fertilizers and pesticides with precision. By gathering data on plant health through multispectral imaging, farmers can make informed decisions that maximize yield and minimize waste. Drones also enable “precision agriculture,” which involves applying treatments only to specific areas, conserving resources and promoting more sustainable farming practices. 

 3. Emergency Response and Disaster Management Drones are essential in emergency response, allowing first responders to assess damage and locate survivors in situations like earthquakes, floods, and fires. Thermal imaging-equipped drones can detect heat signatures, helping locate people trapped under rubble or in hard-to-reach areas. Drones also help emergency teams safely monitor and contain wildfires, providing a real-time overview of the fire’s progression and helping plan safe routes for evacuation. 

 4. Infrastructure Inspection Drones are invaluable for inspecting bridges, towers, pipelines, and other infrastructure that can be difficult or dangerous to access manually. Equipped with high-resolution cameras and sometimes even thermal sensors, drones can detect structural damage, rust, and other issues, reducing the need for potentially hazardous work and lowering inspection costs. They also allow inspectors to work faster, leading to fewer disruptions in daily operations and quicker turnaround times. 

 5. Environmental Monitoring and Conservation Drones play a significant role in conservation by helping track animal populations, monitor deforestation, and survey protected areas. Conservationists can use drones to monitor wildlife without disturbing habitats, and researchers can access hard-to-reach areas, such as rainforests or coral reefs. Drones also provide valuable data for analyzing the effects of climate change, tracking glacier melt, sea-level rise, and other environmental changes over time. 

 6. Delivery Services Although still in development, drones have significant potential for delivery services, particularly in remote areas. Companies like Amazon, UPS, and Zipline have tested drone delivery systems, hoping to revolutionize the last-mile delivery. In remote and disaster-stricken regions, drones are already being used to deliver medical supplies and vaccines quickly, bridging the gap where traditional transportation is too slow or unavailable.  

7. Construction and Surveying In construction, drones are transforming how sites are surveyed and managed. They allow for quicker, more accurate mapping of sites, helping project managers track progress and ensure safety. Drones can also help create 3D models of buildings, enabling teams to assess how closely the actual structure matches the original design. This not only speeds up the construction process but also helps prevent costly errors. 

 8. Law Enforcement and Security Drones offer law enforcement agencies a powerful tool for surveillance and crowd monitoring, helping maintain public safety during events or tracking suspects in real time. Additionally, drones can assist in search-and-rescue operations and monitor hazardous or sensitive areas, such as power plants or border regions, without risking personnel safety. 

 9. Scientific Research Drones contribute to various scientific fields, from archaeology to meteorology. For instance, archaeologists use drones to create aerial maps of excavation sites, and meteorologists employ drones to gather atmospheric data in hard-to-reach areas. In marine research, drones help study marine mammals by capturing images and collecting samples without needing physical contact, minimizing disturbance to wildlife. 

 10. Entertainment and Events Recently, drones have been used as an innovative way to entertain audiences, such as through synchronized light shows. Companies like Intel have demonstrated stunning aerial displays with hundreds of drones moving in unison, creating complex patterns and animations in the sky. These displays are popular at major events, offering an eco-friendly alternative to fireworks. 

 The Future of Drones: Challenges and Opportunities As drone technology advances, new applications and capabilities will continue to emerge. However, regulatory challenges, privacy concerns, and airspace management remain significant issues that will need to be addressed as drones become even more integrated into society. Increased investment in artificial intelligence and machine learning will also likely enhance drone capabilities, allowing them to make real-time decisions and perform even more complex tasks autonomously. Drones are no longer just futuristic gadgets—they’re tools reshaping industries and enabling solutions to previously insurmountable challenges. With each advancement, drones bring new possibilities, making our world safer, more efficient and more interconnected.

Canon 5D Mark ii Machine

This was a custom built RC Helicopter for aerial filming and it was built to cary the Canon 5D Mark 2. I spent a ton of time tuning and modifying this machine to the point where you could climb or descend at a fairly rapid rate or cruise at 40 mph without causing jello in the video. It would have been a true rock star with a DJI RS 4 Gimbal attached to it. As you can see it is only a two axis gimbal. Pan axis was achieved by yawing the helicopter. The radios that we used to control the Helicopter and gimbal were linked together via buddy box cord. I could throw a switch and that gave the camera/gimbal operator control of the tail rotor, giving him pan control. The pilot had to have a lot of trust in the gimbal operator to not do anything that would put the Helicopter in danger.