Screen shot of the distortion correction and cropping settings used for this project (Distortion: 124, Crop: 50, Distortion: Fisheye).įinal corrected and cropped image (approximately 800 X 600 meter ground footprint 1,900 feet AGL). PTLens software before the barrel distortion has been corrected.Īll the images can be corrected with a batch processing option. These objects will be removed when we correct the lens distortion. Notice the landing gear in the top of the image and the front wheel in the lower right corner. Sequence duration: 5 hours, 41 minutes (battery depleted)Ĭorrected image overlap (100.6 mph SOG, 1900 feet AGL): 57%Īs you can see, the GoPro wide angle lens creates some serious barrel distortion. Time interval: one image every 5 seconds (11 megapixels) Memory used on SD card: 32 / 32 GB (memory card full) Sequence duration: 3 hours, 33 minutes (battery not depleted)Ĭorrected image overlap (100.6 mph SOG, 1900 feet AGL): 85% Time interval: one image every 2 seconds (11 megapixels) (results will vary depending on battery condition and fluctuating atmospheric conditions) GoPro Hero2 camera performance bench test 20 degrees Celsius): The flying height for this test was 1,900 feet above ground level (AGL) and the flying speed over ground (SOG) was 100.6 mph (87.4 knots). Just before takeoff I simply started the camera and let it record images automatically for the duration of the flight. I pointed the camera directly down and set it to record images automatically (every 0.5 seconds for this test flight). I removed the housing’s front lens dome to achieve the best image quality possible. Plans for my Cessna 172 wing strut camera mount. I also placed a strip of duct tape across the GoPro tripod mount retaining screw to ensure it didn’t loosen during flight.

Numerous foam pads are placed between the strut and the plates, then the 6 inch retaining bolts are tightened (using self locking nuts with nylon inserts) to ensure a snug and safe fit. The mount fits along the underside of the strut and two back plates are placed on the top side of the strut. So I designed a simple ¼ inch aluminum plate wing strut mount for a Cessna 172 aircraft to hold the GoPro Hero2 camera. I was interested in testing the GoPro Hero2 camera to see if it could be used as an inexpensive, easy to use and effective aerial imaging tool. GoPro Hero2 Aerial Imaging and Mapping Project

Ptlens raw data