Coptercam

The Coptercam is a remotely piloted aircraft custom built to provide professional aerial photography, filming and live broadcasting of video.

As a multi-rotor electric unmanned aerial vehicle, it is propelled using eight electric brushless DC motors.[1]

The COPTERCAM 8 aerial camera system

History

The first company called coptercam www.coptercam.info was founded in 2010 in Austria and uses mikrokopter technology.

Coptercam Pty. Ltd., developed the Coptercam as a purpose built aerial camera system. The Australian company began in 2011 specifically to create a turnkey UAV service for providing aerial photography and filming. In April 2012, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority approved the Coptercam as an Unmanned Aerial System and issued Coptercam Pty. Ltd. with a UAS Operator Certificate.

Essential data and performance
  • Weight (BEW): 1600g (3.5 lb) without batteries
  • Battery weight: 715 - 1430g (1.6 - 3.2 lb)
  • Max Payload: 2000g (4.4 lb) (inclusive of camera mount)
  • MTOW: 5030g (11.1 lb)
  • Motors: 8 x brushless DC, 350W (0.5 hp) maximum power, 2200g (4.9 lb) max thrust, 125g (0.3 lb) weight
  • Propellers: 12” (30.5 cm)
  • Battery: 14.8V. 6600 mAh or 2 x 3300 mAh or 2 x 5000 mAh
  • Arm length: 355mm – 435mm (14 - 17.1 in.)
  • Total diameter: 1100mm. (43.3 in.)
  • Radio control: 2.4 GHz FHSS with telemetry
  • Video downlink: 5.8 GHz COFDM
  • PC Telemetry link: 900Mhz FHSS
  • Endurance: 12 minutes with HD camera and 10% reserve.

Variants

The aircraft comes in 2 variants, the Coptercam 8 AD and the Coptercam 8 CS. The major difference between the two variants is the airframe and camera gimbal system.

  • The Coptercam 8 AD has a 2 axis stabilised gimbal system which allows for roll and pitch control and stabilisation.
  • The Coptercam 8 CS has a 3 axis stabilised gimbal system which allows 360 degree pan in addition to roll and pitch stabilisation. Due to the extra payload weight, its maximum flight time is reduced to 8 minutes.

Operational history
Langley Park, Perth, Western Australia as seen from a COPTERCAM at 120m
  • In April 2012, the Coptercam was first employed in Western Australia to take photographs of real estate properties for sale.[2]
  • In June 2012, the media took an interest in using the Coptercam to survey damage caused by a tornado in Western Australia.[3]
  • On 21 December 2012, the Coptercam made headlines at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the FoxKopter.[4] The Coptercam became the first Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) to provide full HD live video broadcast to a television network, and be approved by any civil aviation authority.[5] The Coptercam was extensively used at the Cricket during the T20 Big Bash League 02.
  • In 2013, Fox Sports deployed the Coptercam at the National Rugby League, Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, and the A-League finals.[6] Unlike other cameras used at sporting events, the Coptercam is able move in any direction, and fly from ground level to 400 ft.

On TV

Footage captured on a Coptercam:

See also

References
  1. "Coptercam FAQs
  2. "Coptercam toys with real estate"
  3. "Copteram reviews damage"
  4. "FoxKopter hits the skies"
  5. "FoxKopter takes flight", The Mercury, Hobart, 12 January 2013.
  6. " "Privacy fears as drones move into mainstream" The Age. 16 February 2013
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