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How Aerosight began...

In early 1998 I thought it would be interesting to begin experimenting with building my own aircraft designs. I started building a larger scaled airplane and chose to make the
fuselage out of PVC pipes and/or rain gutters. I liked using this method because it was cheap and I could cut it up as needed. Friends would tease me calling me the PVC king and
so on. Regardless, this method was great for prototyping designs and saving money I didn't have.

I have been in the Police / Security and Private Investigations for nearly 22 years and love playing with video designs. One day I decided to attach a low end still camera to my
airplane. I didn't have a lot of experience doing this, nor did I have a lot of money to make it happen so I simply used a rod off of my rudder servo to activate the camera shutter
mechanically. It worked but I had to "Knife edge" the plane to snap a picture. I had no way of seeing what the camera was looking at so I solved the problem by painting the outward
facing edge of the wing red. When I angled the wingtip downward that was only when I could see the red color. When I did this I could get the shots I wanted. I remember taking the
camera to a Walmart store and developing the prints. I was so excited seeing my pictures even though it took about 20 pictures taken to get me two great shots! I was hooked and
wanted a better way.

I began to get online and discovered that people have been doing this for years, some were experts and others were still trying at it. I got their advice and experimented a lot!

In 2001 I saved a ton of money and bought a camera mount from a company that made them for helicopters. (They're no longer in business)
I began to take pictures with their system and made a few bucks. I also landed various large contracts but was limited due to customers needs and so on...

That's where it all began!

In 2003 I began to develop a powered parachute system to take pictures with. I needed a device that was safe and easy to fly and VERY visible. The client needed shots of a 40 acre
mall, twice a month for two years. My heli was hard to see at the altitudes he wanted so I had to do more research.

Research lead me into GPS Telemetry software, video links of all sorts and more. I began to study up a bit to keep perfecting my own designs of aircraft. Financially it was hard and
continues to be due to a loss of a lucrative business years before this current project. With no funding, no credit and no space to work on the designs I converted my bedroom into a
shop space. Sleeping in my room was a chore to say the least!

As of April 2006 I have 3 great designs for the most part, ready to roll but weather, and contractors lack of dedication to the project began to slow me down again. I located a
machine shop and convinced them I had great ideas and they came on board to assist me as did a local hardware store who helped me get parts at cost. I have suggested uses of
my designs to include search and rescue, Photo journalism, extreme film coverage, accident reconstruction and my current project, Emergency Response vehicle applications (A
patrol car designed to receive the video output of my devices.)

My theories and eccentric ideas take hold..

In 2006 I sent a video demo of my designs to the local SWAT team who asked if I could be on call if needed for HAZMAT etc. The idea has yet to be tested locally . In 2005 I had done
a few photo shoots for a Real Estate magazine and was interviewed in Redmond, Oregon in the newspaper where a store was done on my business. This added some credibility
to my projects and I have received some great connections this way.

In 2006, This year, I plan on offering my designs to the world! I believe my dedication and patience in these projects will pay off in one form or another.

If you are an inventor, a dreamer, or just crazy enough to believe that you have the potential to be more than you are at any given moment, pursue those dreams! I encourage any
and all "Dreamers" to give me a call or write...

Remember, 90% of all the great things being done, are being done by the 10% of people who don't know its impossible!

Dave Skala / Owner

A time line of what we have done..

1998
Experimentation begins with fixed wing planes. I've been dubbed the PVC king because it is my prototyping choice for fuselages.
2004
Dave finally locates a ready made photo heli and modifies it for his needs. He then starts Aero-photo and begins prototyping his own
unique designs.
2005
Dave spends all Winter developing and modifying three main designs.
2006
Jim James is taken on board Aerosight for his technical skills and helicopter knowledge. Production is expected to begin on the Lancer
based systems for the public.
June 2006
We begin to modify a Tower Hobby "Slinger" for use as a hand launched video drone. So far tests are great! We have also acquired
several helicopters to include a Predator Gasser, Two Raptors, a Swift Electric and another electric.
July 2006
Testing will begin on methods of flying the airborne video system via goggles, from the car observation flight deck etc.. We begin
experiments with a hot air balloon.
August 2006
Aerosight is invited to meet with the U.S. Forest service at the Maxwell, Oregon fire. Here, Dave meets with the agents to discuss UAV
roles in forestry and how Aerosight can help. Interest is expressed in having Aerosight attend future meetings to provide more demos.

December 2006
I begin working on a tour of Oregon from the air, via my drones. The concept is to offer a web resource to locate entertainment, schools,
images and more via one website..

September 2007
I have discovered a very good pilot and machinist, Dusty Perry. I have brought him on board as Vice President of Aerosight. We have
finally begun getting the prototypes in the air. This is the beginning of a great partnership.

October 2007
Aerosight takes on its first investor!

April 2008
Aerosight begins to pursue acting as a rep for other companies and products.