| There are a multitude of reasons in this day and age | | | | manually for each shot. While this method requires |
| why people, both men and women, go missing. And | | | | more work than others, it is by far the least |
| just as many reasons why they should be found, and | | | | expensive. Upgrading to an auto advancing 35mm |
| quickly. Recently, there was a startling example of | | | | camera will allow you to take pictures without landing |
| how model airplanes, coupled with modern digital | | | | your RC model airplane in between each photo. |
| cameras, are benefiting society by making it easier, | | | | Digital cameras also have limitations. Unless you are a |
| cheaper and quicker to find missing things, whether it | | | | very experienced RC model airplane pilot, using an |
| be people or anything else, by providing a new | | | | expensive digital camera might not be the best idea if |
| viewpoint on our society. | | | | you are uncertain of your ability to land safely and |
| In October last year, a model airplane fitted with a | | | | reliably. If you decide to use a cheap digital camera |
| digital camera found a man missing near the West | | | | then a lot of them have auto shut-off timers that will |
| Texas town of Monahans, 4 months after he went | | | | shut the camera off in 30-60 seconds. What this |
| missing. During that time search parties on foot and | | | | means is that you need to take a picture within that |
| horseback had scoured the desert in an expensive | | | | 30-60 seconds window or the camera will shut off |
| and time consuming search. In just 3 sorties within | | | | and you will need to land your model airplane and turn |
| one day the model airplane took 200 digital images | | | | the camera on again. |
| and the search team rapidly found the body of David | | | | Using any of these cameras will require you to |
| Lee Pettiet. The man's white trainers stood out as a | | | | improvise some sort of servo attachment on your |
| minute speck in one of the photographs and drew | | | | model airplane to activate the shutter button in |
| the searchers to quickly locate him although he was | | | | response to your remote command. Double-sided |
| surrounded by thick scrub brush. | | | | sticky tape and zip-ties work very well for the servo, |
| Aerial photography is nothing new. But what is new is | | | | and rubber bands will suffice for attaching the |
| the ability to do it quickly and cheaply with model | | | | camera to the fuselage. You will also need to have a |
| airplanes and without the massive expense of | | | | RC radio that has an extra channel, such as a landing |
| helicopters or fixed wing aircraft. The service used | | | | gear toggle switch, to activate the servo. Electric |
| was provided by a man who had simply taken his | | | | power for your model airplane is also useful as it |
| existing hobby of radio controlled (RC) model | | | | gives you the option to turn the motor off while you |
| airplanes, added the digital camera, just another piece | | | | take the shot in order to reduce vibration. |
| of modern technology in his leisure arsenal, and | | | | A more expensive route is to use a system |
| combined the two into a useful tool which is rapidly | | | | specifically made for the hobby of RC model airplane |
| turning into a commercial business. | | | | flying. Various wireless packages can be found to |
| There are many ways to enjoy the hobby of RC | | | | meet your needs. Most of the packages available |
| model airplanes. But aerial photography can be | | | | come with a few standard parts; a camera, wireless |
| particularly rewarding as almost every RC airplane | | | | transmitter, and receiver. This method requires that |
| modeller already owns the necessary equipment. | | | | you have the ability to record video 'in field'. A laptop |
| Going the cheap and cheerful route to explore what | | | | computer with video inputs works very well for this. |
| your birthday party looks like when seen from your | | | | Another option is to watch the video LIVE while you |
| model airplane high above - or to provide useful | | | | are flying by using a set of virtual reality goggles. This |
| information on development plans for your local | | | | certainly helps if you want to be selective about the |
| protest group by simply strapping an inexpensive | | | | shots you take - although with digital technology this |
| disposable 35mm camera to the bottom of your | | | | hardly matters. But it does take you one step closer |
| model aeroplane, is one way. Or embedding a | | | | to every modellers dream of being up there with his |
| complete digital video system, made specifically for | | | | model airplane! |
| the job, into your model airplane setup to offer a | | | | Aerial photography and video using your RC model |
| professional service is another. Either way, the results | | | | airplane can add more excitement to an already |
| can be quite remarkable, even amazing. When | | | | enjoyable hobby and even turn it into a business. So |
| deciding where to start, there are a few things that | | | | go ahead, there are some useful forums and groups |
| you need to keep in mind. | | | | on the web where you can do some more research |
| If you decide to go the cheap route just for fun, | | | | - then get flying and snapping! |
| strapping some sort of camera to the model | | | | ______________ |
| airplane's wing or fuselage, there are a couple of | | | | Bruce Bird makes it easy for the beginner to quickly |
| pitfalls you will want to avoid if at all possible. Most | | | | grasp the broad range of exciting activities that |
| disposable cameras do not have the ability to auto | | | | make up airplane modeling. To get you started flying |
| advance the film. This means that you will need to | | | | so that you can get into aerial photographyvisit his |
| land the model airplane and advance the camera | | | | website to receive his FREE 5 part mini-series. |