Spirit in the Sky have invested significantly in the very latest aerial film drone with 8K HD technology to expand our aerial platform offering. Using the Freefly Alta 8 drone we are able to carry an 8K HD camera weighing up to 20lbs, with our favoured hardware being the Red Epic-W Helium 8K S35. We also pair the Alta-8 platform with the Alexa Mini and a host of other cameras as requested by our clients.
The Alta-8 is the leading camera drone currently on the market, offering film makers the flexibility to mount the camera on top of the drone, or below it. Such versatility opens up numerous additional shot opportunities not previously achievable on standard drone camera platforms.
Our operators are FAA approved Commercial pilots with extensive time spent in Film and TV environments. Such is the simplicity of this drone, we can be on site and ready to fly within 5 minutes of arrival. In addition we have the in house expertise to obtain relevant permits to ensure all operations are cleared in advance.
Of course we are still able to provide traditional helicopter camera platforms such as the AS350B2 and AS350B3, however our state of the art drone offers production another option should the need arise.
Lenses:
To complete our aerial camera capability we are able to offer a wide range of lens to fit the task. Whilst we have 8K ability we can of course shoot in 2K, 4K, 5K, 6K, 7K and 8K where file size is not an issue.
For more information on our camera drone services contact
Top mounted camera – Alta-8 HD Camera drone

Low mounted camera – Alta-8 HD Camera Platform

Specifications
DIMENSIONS |
|
Unfolded Diameter (does not include Props) |
1325 mm |
Folded Diameter (does not include Props) |
660 mm |
Height to base of Toad In The Hole (TITH) | 263 mm |
POWERPLANT |
|
Number of Motors | 8 |
Motor Type | Direct Drive 3-Phase PMAC Outrunner |
Motor Make and Model | Freefly F45 |
Motor Max Continuous Power Output | 350 W |
Motor Max Instantaneous Peak Power Output | 950 W |
Max RPM (flat rated) | 6300 RPM |
Equivalent Kv | 384 |
Electronic Speed Controller | Freefly Silent-Drive Sine Wave ESC |
PROPELLERS |
|
Make and Model | Freefly ALTA Propeller |
Material | Carbon fiber with balsa core |
Propeller Orientation | (4) CW and (4) CCW Props |
Propeller Type | 18 x 6 Folding |
BATTERY |
|
Nominal Battery Voltage | 6S / 22.2V |
Maximum Battery Size | 240 x 180 x 80 mm |
Maximum Battery Quantity | 2 Battery Packs (Parallel) |
Minimum Battery Quantity | 2 Battery Packs (Parallel) |
Battery Connectors | 2x EC5 (Parallel) |
Required Minimum Battery Discharge Rating | 250A / 500A Peak |
WEIGHTS |
|
Maximum Gross for Takeoff1 | 18.1 kg (40.0 lbs) |
Maximum Useful Load2 | 12.0 kg (26.4 lbs) |
Maximum Payload3 | 9.1 kg (20.0 lbs) |
Typical Standard Empty Weight | 6.2 kg (13.6 lbs) |
SPECIFIC LOADINGS |
|
Typical Specific Power4 | 145 W/kg |
Thrust Ratio at Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW)1 | 1.85 : 1 |
FLIGHT CONTROLLER |
|
Model Name | Freefly SYNAPSE Flight Controller |
Flight Modes | Manual |
Height Hold Mode | |
Position Mode | |
Return-To-Home | |
Autoland | |
Supported Inputs | DSMX, DSM2, S.Bus, S.Bus2, PPM, FPV SD |
Supported Radios | Futaba S.Bus & S.Bus2 |
DSMX, DSM2 (Spektrum/JR) | |
PPM, PPM Invert, PPM Graupner | |
Supported Radio Controller Telemetry Systems | Futaba w/ built-in voltage sense port |
Minimum Radio Controller Channels Required | >5 |
Supported GNSS | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo |
Supported SBAS | QZSS, WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS |
First-Person View System Video Formats | NTSC, PAL |
Supported First-Person View Transmitters |
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Supported First-Person View Cameras | Ready Made RC |
First-Person View OSD Telemetry | User Configurable |
Installed Transceivers | Wi-Fi |
Data Logging Rate | 25 Hz |
LIGHTING AND INDICATION |
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Status Light | 1-Watt Red, 1-Watt White LED |
Orientation Lights | 3-Watt RGB LED |
Orientation Light Color | Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, White |
ISOLATION SYSTEM |
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Vibration Isolation System | Silicone O-Rings |
ISOLATION SYSTEM OPTIONS: |
|
1. Soft/Light Payloads | Red O-Rings |
2. Medium/Mid Payloads | Teal O-Rings |
3. Stiff/Heavy Payloads | Black O-Rings |
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 |
POWERPLANT LIMITATIONS |
|
Maximum RPM | 6300 RPM |
Maximum Battery Voltage | 25.2 Volts |
Minimum Average Battery Voltage | 19.2 Volts |
FLIGHT CONTROLLER LIMITS |
|
Maximum Pitch/Roll Angle | 45° |
Maximum Yaw Rate | 150° / second |
SENSOR TYPE | HELIUM 35.4 Megapixel CMOS |
---|---|
EFFECTIVE PIXELS | 8192 x 4320 |
SENSOR SIZE | 29.90 mm x 15.77 mm (Diagonal: 33.80 mm) |
DYNAMIC RANGE | 16.5+ stops |
MAX DATA RATES | Up to 275 MB/s using RED MINI-MAG (480GB & 960GB)
Up to 225 MB/s using RED MINI-MAG (120GB & 240GB) |
MAX FRAME RATES | 30 fps at 8K Full Format (8192 x 4320), 30 fps at 8K 2.4:1 (8192 x 3456)
30 fps at 7K Full Format (7168 x 3780), 40 fps at 7K 2.4:1 (7168 x 3024) 75 fps at 6K Full Format (6144 x 3240), 100 fps at 6K 2.4:1 (6144 x 2592) 96 fps at 5K Full Format (5120 x 2700), 120 fps at 5K 2.4:1 (5120 x 2160) 120 fps at 4K Full Format (4096 x 2160), 150 fps at 4K 2.4:1 (4096 x 1728) 150 fps at 3K Full Format (3072 x 1620), 200 fps at 3K 2.4:1 (3072 x 1296) 240 fps at 2K Full Format (2048 x 1080), 300 fps at 2K 2.4:1 (2048 x 864) |
PLAYBACK FRAME RATES (PROJECT TIMEBASE) | 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60 fps, all resolutions |
REDCODE SETTINGS RANGE FROM 2:1 UP TO 22:1 | 6:1 REDCODE for 8K Full Format (8192 x 4320) at 24 fps
7:1 REDCODE for 8K Full Format (8192 x 4320) at 30 fps 2:1 REDCODE for 4K Full Format (4096 x 2160) at 24 fps 4:1 REDCODE for 4K Full Format (4096 x 2160) at 60 fps |
REDCODE RAW ACQUISITION FORMATS | 8K Full Format (8192 x 4320), 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 14:9, 8:9, 3:2, 6:5, 4:1, 8:1, and Ana 2x, 1.3x, 1.25x
7K Full Format (7168 x 3780), 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 8:9, 6:5, 4:1, 8:1, and Ana 2x, 1.3x 6K Full Format (6144 x 3240), 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 8:9, 3:2, 4:3, 6:5, 4:1, 8:1, and Ana 2x, 1.3x, 1.25x 5K Full Format (5120 x 2700), 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 8:9, 6:5, 4:1, 8:1, and Ana 2x, 1.3x 4K Full Format (4096 x 2160), 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 8:9, 3:2, 4:3, 5:4, 6:5, 4:1, 8:1, 1:1, and Ana 2x, 1.3x 3K Full Format (3072 x 1620), 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 3:2, 4:3, 5:4, 6:5, 4:1, 8:1, and Ana 2x, 1.3x 2K Full Format (2048 x 1080), 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 3:2, 4:3, 5:4, 6:5, 4:1, 8:1, and Ana 2x, 1.3x |
APPLE PRORES | ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes 422 and ProRes 422 LT at 4K (4096 × 2160) up to 29.97 fps
ProRes 4444 XQ and ProRes 4444 at 2K (2048 × 1080) up to 120 fps ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes 422 and ProRes 422 LT at 2K (2048 × 1080) up to 120 fps |
AVID CODECS | DNxHR HQX at 4K (4096 × 2160) 12-bit up to 29.97 fps
DNxHR HQ, SQ and LB at 4K (4096 × 2160) 8-bit up to 29.97 fps DNxHR 444 at 2K (2048 × 1080) 12-bit up to 120 fps DNxHD 444 and HQX (1920 × 1080) 10-bit up to 120 fps DNxHD HQ, SQ and LB (1920 × 1080) 8-bit up to 120 fps |
CONSTRUCTION | Magnesium and Aluminum Alloy |
WEIGHT | 3.35 lbs (BRAIN with Integrated Media Bay) |
OPERATING TEMPERATURE | 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F) |
STORAGE TEMPERATURE | –20°C to 50°C (–4°F to 122°F) |
RELATIVE HUMIDITY | 0% to 85% non-condensing |
COLOR MANAGEMENT | Supports 33×33×33, 32×32×32, 26×26×26, and 17×17×17 3D LUTs
Variable number of 3D LUT outputs with DSMC2 expander module User programmable shaper 1D LUTs Tetrahedral interpolation, 16-bit processing |
AUDIO | Integrated dual channel digital stereo microphones, uncompressed, 24-bit 48 kHz
Optional 2 additional channels with DSMC2 expander module, uncompressed, 24-bit 48 kHz |
REMOTE CONTROL | Integrated R.C.P. WiFi antenna
Ethernet, RS232, and GPI Trigger with DSMC2 expander module |
MONITOR OUTPUTS | 3G-SDI (HD-SDI) and HDMI with DSMC2 expander module
1080p RGB or 4:2:2, 720p RGB or 4:2:2 480p RGB or 4:2:2 (HDMI only) SMPTE Timecode, HANC Metadata, 24-bit 48 kHz Audio |
MONITOR OPTIONS | DSMC2 RED Touch 4.7″ LCD, DSMC2 RED Touch 7.0″ LCD and DSMC2 RED EVF (OLED) with cable-free connection.
RED Touch 9.0″ LCD, RED Touch 7.0″ LCD, RED Touch 5.0″ LCD, RED PRO 7″ LCD, BOMB EVF (OLED) and BOMB EVF (LCOS) compatible with DSMC2 LEMO Adaptor A and LCD/EVF cable. |
REDCINE-X PRO DELIVERY FORMATS | 4K: DPX, TIFF, OpenEXR (.RED via RRencode plugin)
2K: DPX, TIFF, OpenEXR (.RED via RRencode plugin) 1080p RGB 4:2:2, 720p 4:2:2 : QuickTime, JPEG, AVID AAF, MXF 1080p 4:2:0, 720p 4:2:0 : H.264, .MP4 |
VIDEO EDITING SOFTWARE COMPATIBILITY | Adobe Premiere Pro, AVID Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, Edius Pro, Final Cut Pro, Vegas Pro |