This kind of gives me an idea… towing a balloon as a video surveillance platform with my truck. The camera would have a cord or be wireless with a monitor and recorder down in the cab. 90 mph would be out of the question though.

Kind of like the "floatograph" balloon featured on the Mysterious Encounters show I assume? Sounds cool. I'd think you'd have to move at a very slow rate of speed and have ideal weather circumstances to get a stable image, if that is even possible. How about a walking version? Couldn't cover as much ground, but it might provide a more stable picture. Just thinking out loud... Great idea though. If I had some extra $$$$ I'd invest in your endeavors as they could really produce results IMO. Go for it...

I'd agree that you'd need a no wind day and as soon as you went too fast forward the balloons would drop and follow behind not keeping their altitude. Being there's no way to control them I'd also be concerned about taking corners if you're line is too long or the balloons would end up in the brush. It does bring up an idea though.

If you had a two person team, I see no reason why a remote controlled glider couldn't be used. There's some already flying that carry camera equipment so that's nothing to have to figure out. The person sitting in the back of the truck could let out line as your traveling along, as well as control the glider in flight. You'd still be limited somewhat in speed, but not nearly as much as with balloons.

Pictures from camera equipped glider

Sample of pic from above website.
Click to view attachment


Website with some information about "Aerial Photography" with RC Planes, Balloons, Kites, etc.

My only fear of a towed method would be entanglement. Powerlines, limbs, etc are all typical things you'd find in a bigfoot search area. A remote controlled vehicle like a copter or plane I think would be a great way to cover a a lot of area from above.

Great idea, particularly if it gives us some tool by which to observe BF over time and in the context of its surroundings. I think one of the reasons we have such a hard time investigating BF is that we can't understand their behavior. For instance, when they go away, where do they go? Are they just a short distance away fusing their stealthy woodcraft and instincts to stay out of sight, or are they using their long legs to put a lot of distance between us?

I doubt there are many powerlines etc. in the remote areas DDA has been scouting, at least from what I have been told. Remote control copters and the like are noisy (emitting an alarming unnatural whine) and would be expensive and difficult to recover should they happen to fall into a swampy area etc. Silent "floatables," such a the streamlined rocket shaped balloons in the pic DDA posted, or some form of stable glider or kite would provide much more stealth. Heck, even a stabilized extendable pole camera of some kind could allow considerable views over hills, knolls, tree patches; as well as infared detection for night ops etc. I think it's an idea worth experimenting with at the very least. From what I understand, DDA's persistent and systematic methods may just be the most likely to produce clear photographic evidence of this elusive creature. (Hint, hint...any investors out there who want to throw money at one of the current research projects that has the best chances of producing results, I'd seriously look in DDA's direction. JMO of course. If I had the extra $$$$, I'd do it.)

Good point. Then I second the glider notion, as a tow line is still attached to a large vehicle, and is restricted to only places a large vehicle can go.

Just wondering, how long do those promotional helium balloons (2-3 feet in diameter) last? Seems like one could rig a trailcam on one and tether/float it in a probable area. Put it right over a baited area. Anyway, an idea.

This is what you're referring to I believe. I think DDA was suggesting a more streamline "missile-like" version of one of these.


Skydoc Winches & High-Wind Truck-mount Balloons

How about a remote controlled blimp?

They're fairly cheap and silent. You'd have to have a super light camera that maybe can replace the weights put on it?

How about we all chip in some of our disposable incomes and launch our own satellite.

We'll have to come up with a catchy name for it.

Where do I send my $5.00 to get the fund started??