The Paralight system - very compact

Paralight was designed specifically for purposes of aerial photography. The craft can carry standard photographic equipment, which is connected to a transmitter for relaying the pictures to recording devices such as video cameras, VCRs, or DVDs on the ground. Standard video or digital still cameras can also be mounted on the craft, with the desired photography mode selected prior to takeoff.

Paralight’s inventors say the aircraft can be used as a reliable and speedy means to observation in service of various rescue forces, as well as a supervising tool for officials of national parks, nature reserves, and safaris. Paralight can also be useful for those wishing to capture quality aerial photographs or video in a cost-efficient way; the received pictures can be used to map and track animal movements on the ground as well as provide terrain information for trekkers, farmers or security professionals. Paralight developers say that the system can also be used to serve as an aerial communication antenna, as well as a high-standard photography kit for nature enthusiasts.   

The Paralight system - simple operation

Roimi told TFOT that Paralight’s technology has a distinctive advantage compared to existing technologies such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), both in terms of purchase and in terms of maintenance and operational costs. Unlike UAVs which usually require a trained personal to operate and maintain, the Paralight can be operated in the field by a single person with very minimal training. The low cost of the system can also make it perfect for use as a backup to more expensive aerial photography systems. 

Paralight Aviation looks forward to making additional upgrades to their system – one of the goals the company is pursuing  is to improve the aircraft’s abilities to operate in extreme weather conditions. The company also strives to further decrease the device in both size and weight, and to make it easily configurable in a way which will allow it to be ready-to-work within minutes. The inventors say that Paralight’s future model is planned to be controlled by such means as a cellular phones, GPS, or dedicated software, which would have been fed the mission layout and requirements in advance.

Paralight engineers are currently working on the next generation prototype of the airborne craft, which they say will most likely be ready in 12 months time. The estimated price for such a system falls somewhere in the range of $5,000 – $10,000, far lower than most existing UAV solutions. 

TFOT has covered a number of impressive aerial crafts including a bat-inspired spy plane and the “L15” airship that is fully optimized for surveillance missions. TFOT also recently covered another innovative Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle named TCUAV, developed by the Israeli Company Planum Vision. The TCUAV is powered by electricity from cables installed on dedicated electric towers transmitted to the device through a wire, laid out as an aerial railway on which the vehicle moves.  

More information on the Paralight can be found on Paralight Aviation’s website.

TFOT and Paralight Aviation are offering a 5% discount coupon for any of the aviation systems on Paralight’s website. Simply enter the TFOT code (T070815) when you are asked to on the Paralight website online order form (in the “Coupon Number” line).