To meet the demanding payload requirements and environmental challenges of professional aerial filming, U.S.-based drone filming team Skyecam designs a custom heavy-lift multirotor drone with a 1200mm wheelbase and 30mm arm tubes.
When selecting a propulsion system for their UAV, Skyecam prioritizes flight stability, payload capacity, resilience to harsh conditions, and compatibility with various flight controllers. Moreover, their search leads them to the HOBBYWING H8M integrated propulsion system, which combines a motor, ESC, and propeller into a single, optimized unit.
Rigorous Testing for Real-World Demands
Before deploying the H8M system for commercial drone filming, Skyecam conducts a series of test flights to validate its performance:
1.Test flights with no payload
2.Test flights with a 30-pound payload
3.Performance testing with an integrated LED lighting system
“This all-carbon-fiber, 1200mm-sized quadcopter is capable of lifting heavy cinema camera gear, large gimbals, LED lighting, a descender system, and more,” explains Trinidad, Founder of Skyecam.
Proven in the Nevada Desert: A Summer 2024 Case Study
The system’s capabilities shine during a film project in the Nevada desert. For instance, Skyecam equips the filming drone with four H8M units, a heavy 360° cinema camera on a Freefly Movi Pro gimbal, a DJI A3 flight controller, and two 6S 10,000 mAh batteries in a 12S configuration. Consequently, this setup enables it to carry a total payload capacity of 21.5 pounds with a flight time of 10 minutes.
Despite the extreme heat and strong winds, the HOBBYWING H8M propulsion system maintains an optimal operating temperature without any overheating issues, while consistently delivering sufficient thrust and stable power output.
Powering Innovation: On-Set Lighting Drone
Following the success of initial tests and the desert mission, Skyecam integrates the H8M system into other critical roles, including an innovative lighting drone for night scenes. Furthermore, they deploy a custom quadcopter equipped with a powerful LED lighting system for on-set illumination. Powered by the H8M system, this lighting drone operates with high efficiency and stability throughout long shooting sessions.
“On set using our custom-built heavy-lift lighting drone, using the HOBBYWING H8M motor, ESC, and propeller system. HOBBYWING products are real workhorses,” Trinidad reflects.
