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The use of radio control helicopters for aerial photography photography has a number of advantages and disadvantages when compared to the use of full-sized helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft. Four-rotor designs, such as the small model shown below, have proved to be stable and hence popular.

QuadrocopterTechnology has moved on very rapidly, and off-the-shelf helicopters are now available with cameras mounted in three-axis gimbals. Movement of the camera is controlled by a servo linked to the helicopter's radio receiver. This gives a remote operator the ability to tilt the camera up or down, and even rotate it on it’s axis by 360 degrees. A digital camera's shutter can also be operated remotely, and a video downlink can be provided so that the operator can see the shot live as the helicopter is positioned.

Principal advantages are: