KITE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
ideas & images & kits & equipment
by
Brooks Leffler
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This page contains links to downloadable how-to-do-it information on kite aerial photography techniques and tools. All are Adobe Acrobat files requiring the Adobe Reader, free from Adobe. Just click on the picture or title to download the file direct to your computer. You can't preview the download, but none of the files is large, so your time investment isn't great.
Pierre L. Picavet designed his simple but effective suspension system in 1911, and it remains one of the most popular methods of hanging a camera because it is simple, easy to build, and compact. This file shows you how to lace the system, and can be used on whatever size Picavet cross you and your rig require.
This is a simple device for attaching the Picavet suspension to the kite line without putting excessive strain on the line. This is the original design, made out of high-density polyethylene, but they've also been made successfully out of wood.
MODIFYING FUTABA/TOWER/ROBBE SERVO FOR 360°
Although you may buy a Parallax 360° Servo on my Parts page, you can also modify most standard servos easily (Futaba/Tower recommended) with minimal soldering. This conversion will take just a few minutes, and give you more precise fine-tuning of the servo than is possible with the Parallax servo. You'll need a 5 kilohm Cermet trimmer (DigiKey CT9X502-ND or equivalent). NOTE: These instructions and the Cermet trimmer are included in Brooxes Deluxe KAP Kit.
When using the X-10 security camera or transmitter for a video downlink, you'll need a supply of 12 volts DC. This circuit is based on a design by Peter van Erkel. It is small, light, and easy to build, and provides a very stable source of 12 volts from your 4.8 volt receiver pack. This is a pictorial diagram of the circuit board layout, not a schematic, and includes a parts list. If you can solder, you can build it without anxiety.
REPACKAGING THE X-10 TRANSMITTER
The X-10 security camera has a tiny, lightweight transmitter which can be used to send a 2.4 gHz video signal from your digital camera to the ground. The original packaging is too big and cumbersome, and the antenna far too directional for a KAP rig. These illustrated instructions show you how to repackage the transmitter for KAP use.
This is a very good light-wind lifter, which I adapted from a design by Michael Andersen. It is a cross between a Sled kite and a Flare, hence "FLED". This is a diagram showing proportions which can be scaled to whatever size kite you wish. It is not a detailed set of instructions, but if you've made a kite before, you won't have any problem. Easy to make, simple to assemble, a pleasure to fly — it's a very satisfactory KAP kite.
How to tie 8 simple knots that are useful in kite aerial photography.
This knot is more secure than the usual knot used to attach the towing ring for kites such as the Flow Form and others.
Questions, comments, suggestions? EMAIL ME or drop me a note at POST OFFICE BOX 34, PACIFIC GROVE, CA 93950-0034.