Here is a preliminary list of platforms journalists may use to obtain aerial imagery, along with their advantages and disadvantages, as experienced and observed by DroneJournalism.org developers.
Rotary Based:- Pros
- Stationary Positioning
- Agility to move around, above obstacles
- Small size
- Cons
- Short flight times (typically 10 minutes using batteries)
- Advantage Offset:
- Relatively slower horizontal speed but increased vertical speed
Fixed Wing: - Pros
- Higher altitude
- Easily scaled for increased payloads
- Longer flight times depending on wingspan, battery and motor combination (60 minutes)
- Cons
- Low altitude obstacles
- Requires larger space for launch and land; paved depending on size/weight
- Lacks stationary positioning for a single camera view, but can provide a 360 view
Balloons / Dirigibles / Lighter than Air: - Pros
- Steady and smooth platform for video and still photography
- Portable (deflate and inflate)
- Long flight time (30 to 90+ minute)
- Cons
- Large in size (10 to 30+ ft.)
- Potentially higher investment (availability and cost of helium)
- Susceptible to strong winds and inclement weather (10mph wind limit for most systems, approximately)
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