RC helicopter for aerial photography

Apart from being a great hobby or used as a toy, an remote control helicopter can be used in several other ways. These days it is being relatively common to see these birds being used for various different activities. Aerial photography is becoming increasingly popular with adults and children alike. Because full sized aircraft are not permitted to fly at low altitudes, these tiny choppers can now be used to take low altitude photographs. Whether you are looking to make videos to upload online or to make this a more commercial endeavor you first need to understand exactly what equipment you will need. Before you mount you go out and buy just any old aircraft you need to know exactly what you need. You don’t want to end up with a crash and damaging both your helicopter and camera. An remote control helicopter will come in different sizes, models and with different features. Make sure the aircraft you select can handle the weight of your camera and still maintain flight. Also select a helicopter that you can afford to maintain. Fuel costs can be expensive and because crashes are inevitable, it also important to make sure you can afford and easily buy the spare parts. If you are looking to take simple pictures for personal use or you’re a beginner in using an RC helicopter then you can select a simple camera which is light in weight and can be mounted on a small aircraft. This can be enjoyed by slightly older children and young adults who have a bit of experience flying. The bigger the bird the better the quality of pictures you can take. They also provide easier control and stability so select a helicopter within the range of 450-600mm. The disadvantage with this is that a crash will be expensive to fix and replacing the blades can cost as much as $250. To handle an RC helicopter of this size does require some skill so if you are just starting out it would be advisable to buy a smaller, cheaper aircraft and practice your skills on it before working your way up to a more advanced machine. Whatever size RC helicopter you select to use make sure you stick to electric motors as they have less vibrations and won’t affect the quality of your pictures. Try mounting your camera in different positions such as front or slug and decide which works for you. If you can afford it, try investing in an autopilot feature as they can hold the helicopter stable and even return it to its original take off point incase communication is lost. If you are looking to make aerial photography a commercial venture or to use your picture for promotional purposes, then you need to check the laws in your area. Government bodies like the FAA have very strict guidelines that have to be adhered to you or you could find yourself paying a $10,000/day fine. They require you to have a COA or to undergo a very rigorous certification process.