Model Helicopters is a hobby I have become involved with to challenge my talents. I wanted to try and combine 2 hobbies I enjoy into one - flying helicopters and aerial photography. I admit that overcoming the fear of flying (or more accurately the fear of crashing) is not easy. Flying a model helicopter is very difficult. Anyway, I taught myself how to hover and I can "hover around" pretty good, but I am still learning how to fly.

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY - I purchased one of those Internet famous 'X-10' cameras and built a number of test mounts so I could mount it into the helicopter. Most mounts involved rubber bands. I was not happy with the results and purchased a more expensive system from Super Circuits. The X10 camera is a CMOS camera with a patch or Mickey Mouse ear antenna which works fine if the camera is not moving. The Super Circuits camera is a 400 line CCD camera with a transmitter that transmits audio and video up to 3 miles line of sight.
My next project is to install a digital camera on the helicopter to take pictures with much better resolution. I have been unable to find a digital camera small enough and light enough which also has a video out port (to beem what the camera sees to a monitor on the ground) and that can be remotely triggered.

Above are some captured aerials from video. This is at 'The Works' radio controlled air field in Miamisburg, Ohio

My equipment includes a Raptor 30 helicopter with an OS 32SX engine and with 49 ball bearing upgrade. Radio is a Futaba 8UHF with Futaba reciever and 3001 servos.