I need to mount a Canon D5MII or Nikon D800E on a light aircraft looking straight down (at-nadir) and maintain level camera position while flying along overlapping, parallel flight lines. The resulting imagery is used to produce maps, 3d models, and change detection data. Please advise whether the MR can be used for this application. Thank you. Richard
Richard you would probably find that the gimbal will not work in that situation. Most light aircraft are close to aerodynamic stalling speed in the 50kt airspeed range. There have been posts from folks using the MoVI in helicopters and much over 35kts and the motors can't handle the wind resistance.
Hi Gary, thank you for your wind limitation information. It was helpful. In my application, the MR will be mounted inside the aircraft, out of the wind stream, and pointed at-nadir through a 1 ft sq hole in the fuselage. Wind will not be a factor, but aircraft motion, especially in 180 degree turns flying parallel flight lines will be. Your thoughts? Richard
Then you should be fine. If you are flying parallel lines not sure about your 180 degree turn issue since that period of flight won't be used. Also you will need some way to isolate the aircraft vibration from the MoVI. Having done aerial mapping back in the day of long roll cameras which weren't stabilized not sure that you will get any improvement in operation over simply mounting the camera on a good vibration mount. I am probably missing something in your system intent.
Gary, thanks for your feedback. Agree, fixed mount w/ vibration dampening works great for most mapping and modelling applications. But frame referenced change detection at 3-15 cm pixel resolution requires a more robust solution, especially using long focal lengths for surveillance. Cheers!