Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell
Post Number: 2962 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.81.50.7
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 12:30 pm: | |
This is too cool and hilarious. Take your dramamine and click the links. This came in via the mailbag the other day:
quote:Hi Lowell, met you a few times through Al ****. Have made aerial videos of interesting Detroit Landmarks, orginal videos are 640x 280. Google hosts compressed if you wish to see. regards, Mitch Tiger Stadium: http://video.google.com/videop lay?docid=-5639578901481563486 &q=tiger+stadium+aerial&hl=en Old Detroit Central: http://video.google.com/videop lay?docid=-8258369917015621055 &q=detroit+aerial&hl=en Woodward and I-75: http://video.google.com/videop lay?docid=7839212806166436761& q=detroit+aerial&hl=en Belle Isle: http://video.google.com/videop lay?docid=-2819420174070541699 &q=hammycorp&hl=en
"What'll they think of next?" |
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua
Post Number: 754 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 68.61.194.237
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 12:32 pm: | |
This is very cool, I feel like doing this now. |
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua
Post Number: 755 Registered: 01-2004 Posted From: 68.61.194.237
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 12:38 pm: | |
The one flying above 75 is probably the coolest one so far. This model plane got way more altitude than I expected |
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit
Post Number: 758 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 69.246.10.173
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 12:42 pm: | |
I'm always thinking worst case scenarios when it comes to battery operated vehicles on water and air. I always think the battery is gonna conk out. |
Yaktown Member Username: Yaktown
Post Number: 22 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 70.225.217.252
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 12:45 pm: | |
I only watched the Tiger Stadium vid. Do you have any tech specs on this? Type of cam, plane, etc? I assume they had a video monitor on the ground so they could tell where the plane was in case they lost visual. I wonder what would happen if they did it during a game at Comerica Park. Would that fall under the "no-fly" zone? haha...Fun video to watch, thanks. |
Detroit313 Member Username: Detroit313
Post Number: 189 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 72.229.136.103
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 12:49 pm: | |
Nice.................313 |
Gsgeorge Member Username: Gsgeorge
Post Number: 11 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 68.42.73.125
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 12:52 pm: | |
I doubt they had a video feed. They seem to be confused as to whether or not the camera is on, so I doubt they know exactly what the camera is actually recording when it's in the air. I bet it's a small digital camera that records onto a hard drive or solid state memory chip. Probably one big enough and light enough to fit on those planes, which I imagine can't handle too much equipment taped onto them. |
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 602 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 68.42.162.164
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 1:47 pm: | |
This suggests all kinds of other fun things you could do. RC blimps and helicopters with video cameras, maybe onboard GPS so it could fly a pre-programmed route. Web control interfaces. It obviously needs some image stabilization but it's no surprise a tiny plane like that gets buffeted around. They should dub in some wind noise. Great videos! Thanks! |
Rrl Member Username: Rrl
Post Number: 609 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 71.213.230.209
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 2:04 pm: | |
That is some cool schitt. I've always wanted a RC blimp; for video, it would probably be better than the plane for stability, but would likely be MUCH harder to control w/ any sort of wind. |
Burnsie Member Username: Burnsie
Post Number: 617 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 35.8.219.39
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 3:59 pm: | |
That's pretty damned cool. I also had no idea that those things could get up that far. The video could use a bit of editing, 'cause a couple a times it almost made me seasick (airsick)? |
Dougw Member Username: Dougw
Post Number: 1316 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.73.205.235
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 6:04 pm: | |
Cool! Although it seems like the camera must be just dangling from the airplane that way it waves around? Might have been nicer if they could have fixed the camera on the plane so that it points forward, or forward+down at a fixed angle... |
Deputy_mayor_2026 Member Username: Deputy_mayor_2026
Post Number: 119 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 141.211.250.131
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 6:09 pm: | |
How much would a remote control plane like that cost? |
Realitycheck Member Username: Realitycheck
Post Number: 361 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 68.41.173.240
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 6:14 pm: | |
Shoo-whee, very cool indeed . . . but . . . . . . even if this weren't the even of we-know-what anniversary, I'd still get the jitters thinking about radio-controlled model drones carrying something other than a video camera over an open stadium on a game day or a downtown festival. Sorry to be a downer, friends, but it gave me the creeps right away. Gotta watch less TV, probably. |
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell
Post Number: 2963 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.81.50.7
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 6:43 pm: | |
That crossed my mind long before 9/11 Realityck. I have long wondered about the malicious potential of these radio guided planes as primitive assassination delivery systems, particularly if several were launched simultaneously. It would seem that the payload would be limited, but then a few ounces of c4 could make quite a bang. Factors of guidance, weather, noise of their take off, radio interference and other things probably make it even less feasable. I would assumed that the President and other highly protected officials carry a protective radio jamming bubbles around them. Right? But then I assumed they had contingency plans against airplanes, propane tankers, and ships being used for attacks too... Clearly military drones are completely capable of such attacks, but then you can't buy those at the Army surplus store. Right? |
Chitaku Member Username: Chitaku
Post Number: 736 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 69.136.147.97
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 7:07 pm: | |
yes less tv indeed |
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz
Post Number: 603 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 68.42.162.164
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 7:11 pm: | |
This brings to mind the attempt by Japan in WWII to set forest fires in the northwest U.S. by balloons carried by the jet stream. Fire Balloons |
Realitycheck Member Username: Realitycheck
Post Number: 363 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 68.41.173.240
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 8:46 pm: | |
quote:a few ounces of c4 could make quite a bang
Or that amount of Sarin, G_d forbid. Hard to banish such doomsday thoughts as merely TV-fueled paranoia these days. . . . especially these days, this week. |
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk
Post Number: 35 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 12.34.51.2
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 9:33 pm: | |
The Corner doesn't look too shabby. Much better than I had feared. |
Burnsie Member Username: Burnsie
Post Number: 619 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 35.12.21.186
| Posted on Sunday, September 10, 2006 - 11:03 pm: | |
I also didn't think the stadium looked too bad. Granted, the heavily "pixellated" look of the video likely hides a multitude of problems. But the grass looked nice and green, and I was surprised there didn't seem to be weeds covering the warning track. I noticed the flagpole still in position. Does anybody know why the flagpole wasn't moved to Comerica Park? Didn't the original plans call for that? I suppose I should have looked it up in the Archives first... |
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026
Post Number: 1292 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 35.11.212.197
| Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 12:02 am: | |
no, but the flagpole was put into play at Comerica, like Tiger stadium, but with the bullpen being rearranged, it is now out of play |
Traxus Member Username: Traxus
Post Number: 5 Registered: 02-2006 Posted From: 68.77.160.5
| Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 12:27 am: | |
That is the coolest effing thing I've seen all day. |
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026
Post Number: 1293 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 35.11.212.197
| Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 12:35 am: | |
wow, u really get a sense of how much vacant land is around Woodward,and all those damn SURFACE LOTS downtown |
Kris79 Member Username: Kris79
Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2006 Posted From: 68.74.143.242
| Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 11:07 am: | |
SmartHome has R/C planes with a built-in camera, but no video. SmartHome carries a home automation equipment and other "geek stuff". http://www.smarthome.com/95621 .HTML -Kris |
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit
Post Number: 763 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 65.42.23.2
| Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 11:58 am: | |
thats a great plane, but 5 minutes of battery life? WOW... gotta know what your doing and move on I see. |
Supersport Member Username: Supersport
Post Number: 10576 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 64.118.137.226
| Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 12:00 pm: | |
quote:"The one flying above 75 is probably the coolest one so far. This model plane got way more altitude than I expected"
I have one of those RC planes hanging down in my parent's basement. They can basically fly until they are out of sight. I used to fly mine in and outta clouds no problem. You lose the ability to tell which way you are turning long before they get outta range. |
Kris79 Member Username: Kris79
Post Number: 2 Registered: 09-2006 Posted From: 68.74.143.242
| Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 12:34 pm: | |
Yeah, 5 minutes isn't much time. This looks to be the same plane they used in these videos: http://www.hobbytron.com/FlyDr agonElectricRCAirplane.html Price is reasonable ($69.97), assuming you crash the thing the first time (without a camera on-board.) I wonder what kind of camera they used? They used to fly R/C planes in a field by my parents house when I was a kid. We'd see them and ride back through the woods to the field and watch. But I never saw anyone with a camcorder. Those old-school VHS camcorders had to have outweighed the planes!! LOL. |
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit
Post Number: 766 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 65.42.23.2
| Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 1:01 pm: | |
$70..man I might get one for the kids and I to play with . |
Legodude Member Username: Legodude
Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2006 Posted From: 71.192.3.63
| Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 10:52 pm: | |
Okay, so I was involved in the production of a few of those videos... That is indeed the plane we used, albeit upgraded with a brushless motor and lithium polymer battery yielding flight times of around 40 minutes. One can get them even cheaper than $70 on Ebay. With the Pentax Optio s5z that we use, we can take up to 40minutes of 640x480x30fps video. The camera is mounted under the wing, pointing down and to the right, as this is the most protected spot on the plane. Given that the entire plane + camera assembly is so lightweight, any wind causes the plane to be blown around. As one poster guessed, this is not a transmitted-video system - getting video quality close to what we have over the range we fly at would be quite expensive. Next steps include onboard gps transmitted + radio system and possibly gyroscopes to increase inflight/video stability. The Estes plane is neat but has lousy quality video. From everything that we have seen online, separate components are the way to go. -Mike |
Supersport Member Username: Supersport
Post Number: 10582 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.246.37.236
| Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 11:21 pm: | |
I imagine it does get blown around easy. Mine has a 5 foot wingspan, runs on nitro, but takes a helluva lot more runway to take off and land. Landing with that plane looks like a simple crash landing eh? |
Legodude Member Username: Legodude
Post Number: 2 Registered: 09-2006 Posted From: 71.192.3.63
| Posted on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 11:14 am: | |
Takeoff requires almost no space at all. The power to weight ratio is very high, and even with the camera attached the plane climbs very rapidly after a simple hand launch. Furthermore, despite its low cost, the plane is very crash-proof, so basically anything other than a full-speed dive into concrete counts as a "good" landing. |
Gistok Member Username: Gistok
Post Number: 2784 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.81.8
| Posted on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 1:27 pm: | |
Legodude, welcome to the forum! Although folks may mistake you for me, since I am the "Legomaniac" on this forum. You aren't the same "Mike" dude that's building a small scale Lego version of the buildings in downtown Detroit, are you? (If so, I'll keep your anonymity!). |
Tigersfan9 Member Username: Tigersfan9
Post Number: 67 Registered: 03-2005 Posted From: 64.118.151.178
| Posted on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 1:41 pm: | |
I don't know anything about these RC planes, but seems possible to fly one not just over, but into the ballpark and get a really good look around. Anyone willing to try that? |
Zephyrprocess Member Username: Zephyrprocess
Post Number: 19 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 146.9.16.38
| Posted on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 5:42 pm: | |
I'd considered mentioning seeing an RC plane @ Michigan Stadium on Saturday afternoon, but thought better of it. I'd dissuade anyone from attempting a stadium flyover during an event. http://www.mlive.com/news/aane ws/index.ssf?/base/news-19/115 8158514247500.xml&coll=2 |
Ro_resident Member Username: Ro_resident
Post Number: 175 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 69.14.26.88
| Posted on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 6:12 pm: | |
A bit of a tangent-- MDOT will be testing the use of a model aircraft with a live video feed to monitor traffic conditions in real time this fall. They chose a WMU football game in Kalamazoo for the test.
quote:Authorization (Z2) under Contract (2004-0090) between MDOT and Western Michigan University will provide for the monitoring of traffic conditions, backups, and incidents on the I- 94 corridor in Kalamazoo during the reconstruction of the Lovers Lane bridge over I-94. A small, remote-controlled aircraft with a video camera will be flown up and down I-94 and alternative routes to I-94 to view traffic flows and provide live-feed to a computer to help manage congestion and incidents in real time. During this reconstruction/widening project, two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction without shoulders for refuge. This is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) research project to improve information gathering and mitigation efforts with real-time traffic flow information. The UAV technology will be evaluated in comparison with traditional incident mitigation techniques to determine if it could be effective for future MDOT projects and traffic monitoring on state trunklines.
From: http://www.michigan.gov/docume nts/tnr_agenda_138424_7.pdf The president also recently passed an order allowing the FAA to expand the use of UAVs in US airspace. |
Dfd Member Username: Dfd
Post Number: 137 Registered: 09-2004 Posted From: 66.161.214.251
| Posted on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 6:12 pm: | |
sweet You could also put one of those cameras on a kite. Like the stills they got of the Great San Fransico earthquake/fire damage. |
Andylinn Member Username: Andylinn
Post Number: 224 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 69.246.30.104
| Posted on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 - 6:24 pm: | |
paging pmardo: paul, that's mike d's dad! sweet clips. |
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy
Post Number: 3744 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 69.47.100.44
| Posted on Thursday, September 14, 2006 - 2:28 am: | |
I noticed the flagpole in centerfield at Tiger Stadium still there as well, Burnsie. I thought they had taken that down and moved it to Comerica Park. Am we both wrong in that assumption?? I'm wondering if we both heard the same rumors or they lied blatantly to us. |
Traxus Member Username: Traxus
Post Number: 6 Registered: 02-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 1:03 am: | |
Do it with a helecopter? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =SuMn3O5_41g |
Kathleen Member Username: Kathleen
Post Number: 1587 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Thursday, September 21, 2006 - 7:09 am: | |
Nice article about Mitchell Dombrowksi and his remote control airplane with camera in today's Freep: Internet takes metro Detroit doctor's hobby to new heights "Someone with the screen name of hammydude has been flying a model plane -- equipped with a camera -- above Grosse Pointe, Tiger Stadium, the Detroit Yacht Club, the University of Michigan's stadium (when it was empty) and the Michigan Central Depot. Then he posts video from his friendly drone's flyovers on the Internet. The resulting images are intriguing, informative and fun, even if occasional turbulence shakes the camera and makes your stomach do somersaults. Turns out, though, the person behind the project is hardly a teenager with lots of free time. ..." http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20060921/NEW S05/609210352/1001/NEWS |