This project is to build a 2 camera RC plane that has 1 camera to pilot the plane and a co-pilot to operate the second camera that will have Pan & Tilt servos. It will be different then my other 2 camera plane because this one will send back both videos from the 2 cameras and recording will be down at the ground station requiring 2 wireless TX and RX. The purpose for this plane is to take aerial video of Off-Road truck races that we attend in the Mojave Desert Ca. (@old bombing ranges). The idea of using a RC aircraft to capture aerial video of these races has been around for some time with the use of gas powered RC helicopters. The resent development in electric RC aircraft technology like Brushless Motors and Lipo batteries are making it a better future for electrics to carry out this task.

 So I was talking with a race promoter and showing him my other 2 camera RC plane and he is willing to grant my crew and I airspace access over the event. They would keep other full size aircraft informed of my location (1or2 full-size helis). We are allowed a 400' ceiling and we will be mostly at 100' above ground. A Desert race is a timed event like a rally race but the course is normally 8- 50 mile laps equaling 400 miles. For us that will keep the race cars spaced out so the planes batteries changes and repairs can be done if needed.

 The plane has to be hand launch and belly landing friendly since there will be nothing but a rough sandy dirt road to land on. It will have to be easy to fix, carry a payload and be made of Multiplex foam. That leaves the EasyStar and TwinStar II and with the payload of 2 cameras I will of course choose one of my favorite MPX planes the TwinStar II. The plane doesn't have to be piloted by FPV but it will be a benefit that it does do to the fact that dust kicked up from a race truck can make seeing the plane from the ground impossible at times (pass experience w/o FPV) so being in the pilot seat above the dust is the ticket for a safer operation and also a further distance maybe traveled when necessary.  

 

Project: 2 Camera FPV plane (keep checking back for updates)

Pre-running the race course before the event. Pilot  Scott Sells

                             1st Place Barstow 250 :Scott Sells

1st place SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge

                                           pilot: Bob Miller

TwinStar II with 2.4 GHz and 900mhz Tx for each camera

Front co-pilot Camera has pan & tilt. Pilot camera has pan only

This 7" monitor has 2 inputs that allows an observer to switch between the co-pilot and pilot cameras on the plane. 

Co-Pilots Monitor on tri-pod

Picture (video) taken from RC plane

Pilots view of co-pilot camera in front. Seeing the Co-pilot camera allows the pilot to be aware of what direction co-pilot is looking so the plane can be maneuvered accordingly.