2 years coming...

**Kilroy** · 10-05-2005 05:16 PM

The OG heli-cam finally made it's golf course debut...

The Meadows was looking dapper this morning, draped in it's coat of fog.

**Big Johnny69** · 10-05-2005 05:20 PM

Those are some nice pics Dan. Anymore plans to snap some pics of other courses?

**Kilroy** · 10-05-2005 05:25 PM

Oui Oui.

It has always been a frustration that ground level pictures are kinda featureless in a lot of cases. I really believe that this is something that will set our websites well "above" the rest. I have been working toward this goal for so long. It feels really good to finally have some tangible results.

**Big Johnny69** · 10-05-2005 05:29 PM

Well I have to say very impressive. If you start a section with pics of courses for people to browse that would be awesome. If you haven't played a course before perhaps some pics will either convince or deter you to play it. Can't wait to see some more.

**Golfpeasant** · 10-05-2005 05:40 PM

Not only is that wild and wonderful, but you should consider selling them to courses to display on their web sites. It gives a fantastic better-than-normal perspective.

**Sakuraba** · 10-05-2005 05:49 PM

A unique perspective, really: your chopper can fly much lower than the other aerial shots as well. even lower I think than the chopper shots of the holes wee see on the pga courses on tv. Great idea! keep the pics coming.

Can you take video with it as well? I know weight is a big issue with those model choppers, but with the ever shrinking cameras...

**Golfbum** · 10-05-2005 08:26 PM

Dan that Heli Cam is sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

I have never seen anything like that and it really does a great job.
Thanks for sharing those photos with us.
Now if I could ask, and I am sure others might be interested. What were the costs involved to put that thing together?
Thanks
Rick

**dbleber** · 10-05-2005 09:05 PM

You mean you have never seen anyting like that in your "24 YEARS OF GOLFING"??? LOL Just kidding. Great pics Dan, I have to get out and play that course. I have heard great things from you guys about it but I have still yet to play it.

**1972Apex** · 10-05-2005 09:37 PM

Honest to God Dan, those are amazing pics. The top right photo in particular is postcard perfect. Haven't played the Meadows yet, and now I want to.
Nice work. Of this is the debut I can only imagine how nice the shots will be once you get the hang of it...

**Kilroy** · 10-06-2005 05:51 AM

Now if I could ask, and I am sure others might be interested. What were the costs involved to put that thing together?

I have $3000 invested in the Heli itself.
The camera and video downlink adds another $850
So I am throwing just under $4k in the air when I fly.
Add another $2k for ground gear.

As I said, this took 2 years to get it all together, learn to fly it and to shoot effectively with it.

**EDSGOLF** · 10-06-2005 07:45 AM

WOW Dan, bravo to you! Very nice pictures, especially the one with the leaves changing colors.

Do you think Hootie Johnson (The Masters) will let you fly over Augusta? I wonder what the PGA Tour would do if your helicopter was at one of their events? Maybe they would call the FBI?!?!?!

beatnik58 · 10-06-2005 12:39 PM

Great pics Dan! Do you have the capability to do video as well?

**Kilroy** · 10-06-2005 12:50 PM

No video, unless you like motion sickness.

**Golfbum** · 10-06-2005 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by dbleber

You mean you have never seen anyting like that in your "24 YEARS OF GOLFING"??? LOL Just kidding. Great pics Dan, I have to get out and play that course. I have heard great things from you guys about it but I have still yet to play it.

Hahaha, nope never seen any Heli Cams flying over my course. I have seen the cops flying over looking for dope in the near by corn fields though!

As for Dan's investment into the project, that is a lot of cash to say the least. I wonder if he can get contracts to take overhead photos of the local Ottawa courses? Seems like that would be a good way to make back some of that investment.
Or flying over nudists camps

**Big Johnny69** · 10-06-2005 01:06 PM

He could make a lot of money flying over nudists camps if he happens to find any celebrities...

**nice_lag** · 10-06-2005 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by Dan Kilbank

No video, unless you like motion sickness.

Bah.. motion sickness...

Well done Dan. That is a great initiative and I sincerely hope that you'll generate interest within the community. I know that Tangle Creek here in Barrie has used an helicopter to map their course and provide video and it's really nice.

Andru · 10-06-2005 02:45 PM

That's impressive Dan you shoudl package that up and sell it.

BTW: nice business invensment. Not many courses can afford to hire a helicopter to take those pics.

Best of Luck with it.

Andru · 10-06-2005 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Golfbum

Hahaha, nope never seen any Heli Cams flying over my course. I have seen the cops flying over looking for dope in the near by corn fields though!

As for Dan's investment into the project, that is a lot of cash to say the least. I wonder if he can get contracts to take overhead photos of the local Ottawa courses? Seems like that would be a good way to make back some of that investment.
Or flying over nudists camps

The question is why just Ottawa?

**jmr73** · 10-06-2005 03:24 PM

Cool!!! Great looking shots. I would think shots like this would be benificial to courses. What kind of altitude can you get with that thing? Video or shots from higher up should really give a good impression of some of the holes.

**Kilroy** · 10-06-2005 03:48 PM

The pics are taken from 50' - 120'.
This is a small lightweight heli. For video and/or higher altitude you are looking at a full size helicopter equiped with a gyro stabalized video camera, like the cops use.

What this offers is a unique perspective on the course at an affordable price.

It can also be used for real estate etc...

Commercial

Advertising - your facility from above. Overhead views make lots and buildings look much bigger and more impressive.
Auto Dealership
Strip mall
Factory
Race Track
Stadium
Office building

Residential

Residential home and surrounding property - best for larger "estate" properties due to the confined space in standard lots on suburban streets which can be impractical or impossible to do.
Farm house, barn and fields
Land use determination - Property line dispute "encroachment"
Environmental studies

Insurance

Damage assessment
Weather, Flood, Fire
Estate Agents
Appraisals and land surveys.
Aerial photography can be overlaid with property lines and can assist in documenting the appraisal process.

Tourism

Landmarks, Historic Sites and Attractions
Events

**LobWedge** · 10-06-2005 04:10 PM

Nice "shootin" Dan.

dH · 10-07-2005 10:38 AM

Wow,

You have to start charging for that use; it's a very unique and expensive piece of equipment and I think all courses would like it! That's an awesome idea and pictures.

**The Shtick** · 10-07-2005 11:51 AM

Nice work Dan.

You could easily sell (or provide) photos to local courses to advertise in their brochures or fronts of scorecards.

**Kilroy** · 10-07-2005 12:02 PM

This will definately be offered to courses for next season. I have not decided on a price for a shoot yet. I will be doing some more tests - samples over the next 2 weeks.

**EDSGOLF** · 10-07-2005 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by Dan Kilbank

This will definately be offered to courses for next season. I have not decided on a price for a shoot yet. I will be doing some more tests - samples over the next 2 weeks.

Careful during your tests Dan, I believe hunting season starts soon

**leftylucas** · 10-07-2005 03:21 PM

Not to sound redundant but if i was a GC owner or manager I would be jumping on this opportunity. It is the best thing to get an idea of the course Good luck Dan, tremendous innovative thinking!!!!!

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