Bandit Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 While at YWOL doing hover entry\exit re-cert yesterday we also had one of the video equipped Squirrels down for familarisation training. Thought you guys would be interested... This bird has a studio\cinematic HD TV camera attached to the nose. Operated from the back seat by the cameraman, it can zoom in from over 5NM away and pick out people on the ground full screen. Once airborne it has a omni antenna that pivots down below the skids and beams pictures (and infrared) back to a base station or portable monitor. Its a tool the SES is using more and more in during flood monitoring and land searches. An amazing bit of kit. Cost you ask? Well put simply the camera is 3 times the cost of the Squirrel (believe it or not!) Firebird 255 (VH-ARQ) Axsys/Cineflex V14 Multi-Sensor mark Two Troll Camera Cockpit - note pilot has 7" video screen on right hand side Camera operator station in the rear Omni antenna mounted on the skid. Shown in the stowed position - It pivots down during operation and can beam images over 65Km range (or 200Km plus with booster) 7" hand held TV monitor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Emms Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Looks like a fantastic bit of kit and very useful i dont doubt, what an amazing range that has. Did they let you have a play with it? cheers Iain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandit Posted November 9, 2008 Author Share Posted November 9, 2008 Yes We have to learn to work in this chopper when we do flood rescue and monitoring work (the SES's combat role www.ses.nsw.gov.au). We fly with in the back with the camera operator. We navigate and observe and he drives the hardware. Its a nice aircraft to work in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Emms Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Good one, i like to see techie equipment like that put to a good use. cheers Iain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Mason Posted November 9, 2008 Share Posted November 9, 2008 Very nice bandit, I agree that the AS350 is a great helo to fly in (well I prefer being at the controls!) I have also flown a bell 407 a few times that has a similar camera aray but the camera operator sits in the front as there is a little mini studio in the back for a reporter on the left side. Great pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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