Forward flight angle for 3DR Solo - Aerial Photography

[Jonty]

Does anyone know the forward flight angle of a 3DR Solo?

Given I am using a belly mounted camera (mounted horizontal),
I would like to modify the camera angle to compensate for forward flight angle.
Basically, I would like modify the camera angle to be truly horizontal during flight.

Perhaps if you have a photo of a Solo in full forward flight, the forward flight angle can be approximated.

FYI, I usually fly my Solo at speed of 10 m/s during aerial survey flights.
(Modified in Tower Parameter, WPNAV_SPEED = 1000 cm/s).

 

[User Name]

There is no specific angle, it all depends on the speed you're going and any wind Solo is encountering. The higher the speed and the more headwind it's flying I to, the more it'll pitch forward.

I believe there is a parameter to limit the max pitch angle under any condition, but that won't necessarily tell you what it's likely to be at any given speed.

If you can aim your camera or a different one forward, you could experiment adjusting it's pitch until the horizon is center when you're flying at your survey speed. might take a few flights, but then just measure how far it's pitched up from level when on the ground. But again, environmental conditions will make it a rough estimate at best.

 

[Jonty]

I flew a successful trial and got some rewarding results

Aim: Determine forward tilt angle of mounted camera angle to compensate for forward tilt of flying 3DR Solo.

Method:
I flew at constant height along a straight road,
By changing the forward tilt angle of the camera,
I managed to get a rectangular photo (90 degrees on all corners) of the road (not a trapezoid).
This achieved with forward and return flight (Very little wind).

Results:
With a forward flight speed of 10 m/s;
and camera tilted forward at 7 degrees,
photography appeared horizontal to the flat ground (proven by lack of perspective distortion).
See resultant photo attached.

 

[JoelNewman]

Jonty, small world, how's things?
I've sent you a PM, or email me using the form on www.elevo.com.au

As a rule of thumb I use 1 degree of tilt per m/s airspeed, but any sort of wind will mess with that so it's only a rough estimate.

 

[BobPhoto]

I flew a successful trial and got some rewarding results

Aim: Determine forward tilt angle of mounted camera angle to compensate for forward tilt of flying 3DR Solo.

Method:
I flew at constant height along a straight road,
By changing the forward tilt angle of the camera,
I managed to get a rectangular photo (90 degrees on all corners) of the road (not a trapezoid).
This achieved with forward and return flight (Very little wind).

Results:
With a forward flight speed of 10 m/s;
and camera tilted forward at 7 degrees,
photography appeared horizontal to the flat ground (proven by lack of perspective distortion).
See resultant photo attached.

@Jonty what camera are you using and at what altitude? Very nice image. Clean!

Bob