Helo Pix

[kaneohebud]

Hi All:
I just returned from a two week trip (golf not photography).

Before I left, I sought advice from the forum members on aerial photography since I had an opportunity for an open door helicopter flight above Oahu (Hawaii).

Several of you mentioned you would like to see the results. I finally have them up at:

http://www.budralstonphotography.com/Travel/ABOVE-OAHU/

As you can guess from the photos, I'm glad to be back home. Many thanks to all who contributed their wisdom to my efforts.

Aloha, Bud

[Colin Southern]

Looks good to me Bud - job well done.

Just don't mention helicopters for a while ... one of my Radio Control ones flew off into the sunset about this time yesterday, and was (I suspect) "buried at sea", not found after extensive searching. Worth about $2500

[kaneohebud]

Just don't mention helicopters for a while ... one of my Radio Control ones flew off into the sunset about this time yesterday, and was (I suspect) "buried at sea", not found after extensive searching. Worth about $2500

Darn. Very sorry to hear that. I had been giving some thought to buying a drone setup myself, but was afraid of what you just experienced. So sorry it happened to you. Possible control malfunction? Any chance the manufacturer could come through for you?

[Colin Southern]

Darn. Very sorry to hear that. I had been giving some thought to buying a drone setup myself, but was afraid of what you just experienced. So sorry it happened to you. Possible control malfunction? Any chance the manufacturer could come through for you?

Thanks Bud,

Many drones have a return to home function - might be something to consider.

I've concluded the post-flight analysis and have traced the problem to a loose nut ...

... the loose nut controlling the darn thing!

100% pilot error I'm afraid - I'm kinda annoyed at myself actually - I've got 215 hours logged on the things and it shouldn't have happened; was just a moderate wind and a couple of mistakes on my part that compounded to put it over 400m away in a few seconds - then my options where somewhat limited.

Not to worry - I always approach things like this philosophically in that although the heli is gone, it can't take away the skills that it taught me - plus a have 2 more identical birds (flying one tonight), and have just ordered a bigger one (easier to see at those distances) (I was thinking of stepping up a class anyway).

If anyone is interested in where the GPS reported it to be (but I can't find it there), drop a pin on 41 deg 15.7599S by 173 deg 17.1237E.

[deetheturk]

Nice series Bud,well done.

David

[Donald]

Beautiful, Bud. A real pleasure to look at.

[gregj1763]

Wow Bud, they are sensational photo's. In full screen on the IMac they are a pleasure to look at.
Well done mate

[allenlennon]

Love them all champ, im envious of you!

[Shadowman]

Bud,

Nice series.

[jcuknz]

'Return home' function is worth having if you remember in the panic of it flying away from you and loosing sight of it, you use it and not just kill the throttle. Despite warnings not to get anything between chopper and 'base' there is a video of one in RH mode coming from behind a office block and getting back home. Walkera QR X350 if you want to do it on the cheap [relatively speaking].
At least you didn't see your craft crash and burn up Colin as I saw on Saturday ... chopper not a multi... very sad business, as indeed your loss Colin.

[Mike Buckley]

It's great to see the photos! You were lucky to have so little haze and you took full advantage of the nice light. My favorite is the image that includes the tunnel going into the mountain.

[Kaye Leggett]

They are a lovely set of shots - you've made it look easy which I guess its not.