Freefly Tech

[freeflytech]

20 Pound Payload / 40 Pound All Up Weight

The ALTA 8 has a 40 lb AUW that allows for payloads up to 20 lbs, or larger batteries for lighter weight payloads.  Here it is loaded up with 3 FIZ motors to control Focus, Iris, and Zoom while flying.  Precise control of the 3 pointing axes, plus FIZ allows for shots the world simply has not seen before.  

[freeflytech]

Vibration Isolation

Freefly pioneered the adjustable o-ring isolation system on the CineStar.  It was the first system that truly delivered vibration free footage in a wide range of shooting situations. With the ALTA we improved the system to make it quick release and interchangeable so that pilots could adjust the system for a variety of camera, lens and industrial applications.   Tiny details that make the your quest for perfect footage easier.

[freeflytech]

Accurate, predictable, agile

ALTA 8 is accurate, predictable, agile. Every detail has a purpose. Every ounce we saved in design, increases performance and removes barriers in getting the shot you want. By maintaining precise control of the prop RPM at all times, the ALTA is able to go from a slow, precise move, to ripping across the sky without changing a single setting. 

[freeflytech]

Top and Bottom Mount

With the ALTA's modular payload mounting system, you can mount a camera / sensor to the top or bottom of the aircraft. The ALTA features our innovative 'Toad in the Hole' quick release which makes mounting payloads quick, easy, and tool-less. ⠀ When we prototyped the very first ALTA top mount test mule the team thought it would be a fun novelty. As it turns out, people around the world have used #SkyView to capture the world in a completely new way this past year. ⠀ Each and every time we fly an #ALTA in SkyView we see something new. ⠀ If you want to capture even more, you can mount cameras on top and bottom of the ALTA… we call it the 'Double Dragon' internally.

[freeflytech]

High-Bandwidth Height Hold

The ALTA features a high-bandwidth height hold that fuses the readings from the accelerometer and barometer to derive a highly accurate and reliable height estimate. ⠀ This means that the pilot can focus on framing / composition / and making sure the bugs are not landing on his eyeballs without ruining the shot aren't just for backpacks and boots. ⠀ For many of the shots in the #ALTA8 promo video, the pilots at Freefly were using Height Hold to keep our shots very consistent in elevation, or to command very precise climb / descent velocities. ⠀ A height hold the pilot can count on drastically reduces pilot fatigue and stress... which we know you have plenty of.

[freeflytech]

Weather Resistant

Each ALTA features a vacuum-formed, lightweight plastic enclosure to protect the flight control, power, and distribution boards from the elements. The #ALTA8 features fully-enclosed receiver mounting bays to protect your critical flight equipment from moisture / debris. Creating stunning aerial imagery is stressful and requires incredible planning, focus and execution. The ALTA keeps you focused on making shots, not stressing about how your gear is holding up...

[freeflytech]

Hand Built and Assembled

Every ALTA is hand built and assembled at our facility just out side of Seattle, WA.  It takes around 12 hours to build each ALTA which includes a barrage of component and system level tests. After passing this gauntlet of tests, each ALTA is test flown by a Freefly test pilot to ensure each ALTA flies as well as our personal machines. The ALTA engineering team custom builds assembly and testing fixtures to ensure consistency, reliability, and repeatability. We know that these machines will carry precious cargo, and be tested to the limits by our customers.....we test, plan, and agonize over each ALTA because of it

[freeflytech]

Precision

Daring, dynamic camera moves are made repeatable and predictable by the Synapse intelligent flight controller.   Highly precise flight paths turn into compelling camera moves

[freeflytech]

Precise control of the propeller rpm is what allows the ALTA to be accurate, predictable, but incredibly agile when needed. The sine wave silent drive motor controls found on the ALTA allow for very fast step response which allows the Synapse to maintain accurate control of the aircrafts attitude in all flight regimes.   Our favorite aspect of the silent drive's found on the ALTA is the lack of 'screeching' found on normal motor drives.

[freeflytech]

SYNAPSE Flight Controller Testing

Throwback to the days where Freefly was focused strictly on shooting the worlds most compelling aerials....

Freefly has been shooting car commercials with the Synapse flight controller for years now.  Slowly and methodically refining the feature list, making it easier and easier for pilots and camera operators to delight their clients.   All our learning was captured, condensed and refined into the MoVI and ALTA, and is now available to anyone in the world. It has been a wild and exciting ride blazing the trail for cinema drones 

[freeflytech]

SkyView vs GroundView

Isolating the battery tray and gimbal from the airframe on the ALTA allows pilots to quickly mount the gimbal on top or bottom of the aircraft without sacrificing performance.

Look to the Sky. Capture the action below. The decision is yours.

[freeflytech]

Travel with ease...

Six quick release latches allow the ALTA to fold down to just over 20inches (515mm) diameter, making it the most packable drone in its class. ALTA is a fully capable cinema drone with top and bottom camera mount options.  Its designed to go from pelican case to flying in minutes and allow pilots to focus on creating the next great aerial sequence.  Ultra portable | Ready to fly | Ready to film

[freeflytech]

Accurate, predictable, agile.  

By maintaining precise control of the prop RPM at all times, the ALTA is able to go from a slow, precise move, to ripping across the sky without changing a single setting.  

[freeflytech]

COMPLETE CONTROL

The SYNAPSE flight controller on the ALTA uses high quality calibrated sensors and proprietary control algorithms to allow the pilot to navigate a smooth and precise path through the trees while maintaining complete control of the aircraft.   The camera in this shot is being controlled using MIMIC Mode through the MōVI Controller - the MIMICS' sensors are taking readings hundreds of times per second and smoothly transmitting them to the MōVI thus allowing for the execution of complex moving shots while still maintaining the organic feel of actually having a camera in your hands - or in this case personally flying through the treetops!

[freeflytech]

VELOCITY CONTROL 

Using the sliders on the side of the transmitter allows for very accurate control of the ALTA's ground and vertical velocities - ensuring smooth, consistent, and repeatable climbs or descents. Pilots can lower the velocity and vertical maximum speeds .1 m/s, such that a full stick command moves the machine at that maximum speed and climb rate. A very slow camera move / climb can be executed reliably and repeatedly by lowering the velocity clamps to a low setting which gives incredible fidelity and control on the cyclic stick.

[freeflytech]

DEPENDABLE

The ALTA features an enclosure inside the carbon frame to protect the SYNAPSE, distribution, and power board from the elements. The SYNAPSE mounts to the chassis using 4 vibration isolation mounts so that the gyros and accelerometers are protected from the prop and motor vibrations. The distribution board handles the routing of power to each motor, as well as the redundant motor control and telemetry signals. The distribution board also provides for routing the FPV and OSD signals from the SYNAPSE to the camera and transmitter. While the owner should never even have to look inside this weather proof enclosure, it's nice to know the team at Freefly agonized over the selection and placement of every wire and connector.

[freeflytech]

SYNAPSE

The Synapse flight controller takes readings from accelerometers, barometer, and GPS and fuses them together to create high-bandwith velocity control mode. This means pilots can command smooth, consistent, and repeatable climb or descent velocities with ease.  The max climb or descent rate is also adjustable in real time using the sliders on the flight radio.   What this means for filmmakers is you now have a dolly in the sky.....