Nelson's eye in the sky

COLIN SMITH

IT'S A BUZZ: Craig Dickie of Aerial Imaging at the controls of his Unmanned Aerial Vehicle miniature helicopter.

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In Canada, it helps to solve crimes. In the United States, it is illegal. But in New Zealand, it is brand new and unmanned, and its name is Skylark.

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) miniature helicopter is the most recent purchase by new Nelson company Aerial Imaging.

It has 11 on-board sensors, three gyros, three accelerometers, three magnetometers, a barometric pressure sensor, a global positioning satellite (GPS) system and a high-definition camera. Translation – it is incredibly easy to fly and is able to take unique photography and video footage, according to Aerial Imaging manager Craig Dickie.

Mr Dickie started the company as a way to combine two of his hobbies – remote control helicopter flying and amateur photography – and to fill what he saw as a gap in the market.

"There is nothing like this being operated commercially in New Zealand at the moment. There are people with remote-controlled helicopters, but nothing to this degree."

It costs about $50,000 to purchase and fully kit out a UAV, but Mr Dickie said that was the price of innovation.

He envisages his services being used for everything from commercial building and real estate photography, road works and aerial surveys to traffic accident investigations and police tactical updates.

The helicopter's camera can be remote-controlled, with thermal imaging and low-light functions available.

The "pilot" can don digital goggles that allow him to see exactly what the camera is seeing, so he can manoeuvre the helicopter into the perfect position. The client can also see the footage on a display unit on the ground.

The stability and ease of control allow Mr Dickie to fly the helicopter into areas that otherwise would be extremely difficult to reach.

Mr Dickie's father and business partner Colin said it took a while to research what was on the market.

"If you are going to do something, you have to find the very latest in technology. If you don't, you are behind the eight ball before you start."

Craig Dickie said it was exciting when the helicopter arrived from Canada, because there were only one or two others in the country.

"There was no-one to teach me how to do it all, but once I got a hang of it, it was fine."

The helicopter has about a 500-metre radius of operations, but Civil Aviation Authority requirements mean it is restricted to 120m. Once it goes out of range, it initiates a self-landing. "So you don't want to be out of range when you are over water."

Craig Dickie has two helicopters, one named Skylark and the other Falco, and both have already been in demand, with a major car magazine already signing on for their services and a demonstration for Nelson police scheduled for next week.

- © Fairfax NZ News