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FREEFLY ALTA 8 UAS for Aerial Cinematography

BH #FRALTA8 • MFR #950-00049
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FREEFLY ALTA 8 UAS for Aerial Cinematography
Key Features
  • Designed for Aerial Cinematography
  • Up to 20 lb Payload Capacity
  • Works with MoVI Series Gimbals
  • Gimbal Top- & Bottom-Mounting Supported
The ALTA 8 from Freefly is an octo-rotor configuration UAS for aerial cinematography. Designed to work in conjunction with a MoVI gimbal (available separately), the ALTA 8 will support payloads up to 20 pounds, making it ideal for today's lightweight cinema cameras. The ALTA 8 allows the gimbal can be mounted above, as well as below, the aircraft, enabling "sky view" shots.
More Details
No Longer Available
WARNING: Carefully read instructions to ensure proper configuration before use. Failure to use this product responsibly may result in loss, damage, or injury.
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FREEFLY Alta 8 Overview

The ALTA 8 from Freefly is an octo-rotor configuration UAS for aerial cinematography. Designed to work in conjunction with a MoVI gimbal (available separately), the ALTA 8 will support payloads up to 20 pounds, making it ideal for today's lightweight cinema cameras. The ALTA 8 allows the gimbal can be mounted above, as well as below, the aircraft, enabling "sky view" shots.

For fast setup and breakdown, the ALTA 8 employs Freefly's Toad in the Hole (TITH) quick release gimbal attachment mechanism. For extra portability, the prop arms retract and props fold in half for a smaller footprint that is easier to transport.

Performance
Efficient Design
18-inch props, optimized propulsion system, and a lightweight carbon fiber frame together allow flight times comparable to quadcopters while being able to carry the weight of a cinema camera and gimbal.
Flight Time
The ALTA 8 supports flights of over 15 minutes when using two 16 Ah batteries with a payload of 15 lb.
SYNAPSE Intelligent Flight Control System
Precise Positioning
By fusing GPS data with the IMU and Barometer, the ALTA 8 is able to hold position even in difficult weather conditions. For industrial users, this gives the ability to execute complex flight paths while keeping pilot fatigue low.
Velocity Clamps
The SYNAPSE features velocity control with an adjustable real time speed limit. This means pilots can alter the vertical and ground velocities to ensure precise, repeatable camera moves.
Height Hold
The SYNAPSE flight controller takes readings from accelerometers, barometer, and GPS and fuses them together to create high-bandwidth height-control flight mode. This feature is designed to give filmmakers a "dolly in the sky."
Return to Home
Alta 8's return-home function features a "safe height" parameter. With this set, on return home the aircraft will fly at a fixed elevation to avoid collision with obstacles below the pre-defined limit.
Automatic Data Logging
The ALTA 8 allows you to monitor and analyze performance and health using Freefly's proprietary high-speed data logging via microSD card. Data can be inspected using Freefly's data viewer application.
ALTA App
Functions
Functions accessible through the app include:
  • Flight Pack Voltage
  • Satellite Count
  • Flight Mode
  • Attitude
  • Pilot Checklists
  • Vibration Levels
  • Height
  • Temperature
Works with MoVI Gimbals
Top Mount Camera Option
In addition to traditional bottom ("Ground View") mounting, the ALTA 8 supports mounting the gimbal on top of the aircraft ("Sky View"). This enables capturing distinct camera angles from beneath an elevated subject.
Quick Release Gimbal Attachment
The Alta 8 supports Freefly's Toad in the Hole (TITH) mounting system, the same mount found on MoVI gimbal. This reduces setup and breakdown time, and makes switching between "Ground View" and "Sky View" modes easy.

Note: MoVI gimbal available separately.
Air System Design
Folding Frame
The frame and propellers fold for a footprint that is 50% of the Alta 8's size in operational configuration. This makes it easy to pack up and carry along, even to remote locations.
Vibration Isolation System
A vibration-isolation system rejects high-frequency disturbances, adding further image stability on top of what the gimbal provides.
Weather Resistant
The ALTA 8 features a lightweight molded plastic enclosure to cover the flight control and power distribution board to protect them from the elements.
Receiver Mounting Bay
The ALTA 8 provides two fully enclosed receiver mounting bays to keep these sensitive components protected and dry.
Silent Drive
The ALTA 8 utilizes sinusoidal drive motor controls, and the motors are custom tuned to match the F45 flight controller, with optimizations for speed, reliability, and robustness. The motor drives are constantly monitoring a variety of parameters and reporting status to the SYNAPSE.
Required for Completion
    The ALTA 8 comes as an ARF (almost ready-to-fly) bundle. It features a hard transit case, Quick-release top handle, and inverted landing gear for top-mounting the gimbal. In addition to these included items, typical use cases may require the following:
    MoVI gimbal
    Transmitter (radio controller) and compatible receiver
    At least two flight batteries
    Aero Landing Gear (lower landing gear for flying a MoVI in the bottom mount configuration)
    An FPV system

    FREEFLY Alta 8 Specs

    Performance
    Payload Capacity
    Up to 20.0 lb / 9.1 kg
    Specific Power
    145 W/kg
    Thrust Ratio
    1.85:1
    Frame
    Payload Mounting
    Mounting Locations: Bottom and top mount
    Mounting System: Freefly Toad in the Hole, (TITH) Quick Release
    FPV Camera Mount: Between Booms 8 & 1
    FPV Transmitter Mount: Boom 2
    Isolation System
    Vibration Isolation System: Silicone O-Rings
    Soft / Light Payloads: Red O-Rings
    Medium / Medium Payloads: Teal O-Rings
    Stiff / Heavy Payloads: Black O-Rings
    Lighting and Indication
    Status Light: 1 W red, 1 W white LEDs
    Orientation Lights: 3 W RGB LED
    Orientation Light Color Options: Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, White
    Motors
    Model
    Freefly F45
    Quantity
    8
    Type
    Direct Drive 3-Phase PMAC Outrunner
    Max Continuous Power Output
    350 W
    Max Instantaneous Peak Power
    950 W
    Maximum RPM
    6300 rpm (flat rated)
    Motor Velocity Constant
    384 Kv
    ESC
    Model: Freefly Silent-Drive Sine Wave ESC
    Flight Controller
    Model
    Freefly SYNAPSE flight controller
    Number of Channels
    Transmitter must support more than 5 channels
    Supported Radios
    Futaba S.Bus & S.Bus2
    DSMX
    DSM2 (Spektrum/JR)
    PPM
    PPM Invert
    PPM Graupner
    Supported Telemetry Systems
    Futaba w/ built-in voltage sense port
    Connectivity
    Inputs: DSMX, DSM2, S.Bus, S.Bus2, PPM, FPV SD
    Flight Modes
    Manual
    Height Mode
    Position Mode
    Return-To-Home
    Autoland
    GPS Support
    GNSS: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
    SBAS: QZSS, WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS
    Telemetry
    Installed Transceivers
    Wi-Fi
    Data Logging Rate
    25 Hz
    FPV and Monitoring
    Supported FPV Transmitters
    Skyzone
    BOSCAM
    ImmersionRC
    Fat Shark

    Note: NTSC and PAL FPV devices supported
    Supported FPV Cameras
    Ready Made RC
    OSD Support
    Depends on installed telemetry system (available separately)
    Propellers
    Model
    Freefly ALTA
    Type
    18 x 6 folding
    Configuration
    4 x CW and 4 x CCW propellers
    Material
    Carbon fiber with balsa core
    Flight Battery Requirements
    Voltage
    6S / 22.2V
    Maximum Battery Size
    9.44 x 7 x 3.14" / 240 x 180 x 80 mm
    Battery Quantity
    2 battery packs (parallel)
    Connector
    2 x EC5 (parallel)
    Discharge Rate
    Per Pack: 250 A / 500 A peak (or better)
    General
    Dimensions
    Unfolded Diameter: 52.16" / 1325 mm (does not include Props)
    Folded Diameter: 25.98" / 660 mm (does not include Props)
    Height to base of Toad in The Hole (TITH): 10.35" / 263 mm
    Weight
    Maximum Gross for Takeoff: 40 lb /18.1 kg
    Maximum Useful Load: 26.4 lb / 12 kg
    Maximum Payload: 20.0 lb / 9.1 kg
    Typical Standard Empty Weight: 13.6 lb / 6.2 kg
    Packaging Info
    Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
    67 x 33 x 23"

    FREEFLY Alta 8 Reviews

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