Alta 8
Heavy-lift octocopter
The Freefly Alta 8 is a professional heavy-lift octocopter designed for high-end aerial cinematography, capable of carrying substantial cinema camera payloads.
Mission Profile
The Alta 8 is engineered to serve the demanding requirements of professional film and television production, providing a stable and precise aerial platform for capturing cinematic footage. Its primary role is to carry large, high-quality cinema cameras, such as those from RED Digital Cinema or ARRI, along with their associated lenses and accessories, offering filmmakers unparalleled flexibility in aerial shot composition. The platform integrates seamlessly with Freefly's MoVI gimbal systems, allowing for sophisticated camera movements and highly stabilized imagery.
Employed extensively on film sets, commercial shoots, and live events, the Alta 8's design prioritizes quiet operation and robust performance, making it suitable for environments where sound and reliability are critical. The platform enables cinematographers to achieve dynamic and complex aerial sequences that would be challenging or impossible with smaller drones or traditional crane systems, thereby expanding creative possibilities in aerial filmmaking.
Key Features
- ▸Heavy-lift capability, supporting cinema cameras up to 20 lbs (9.07 kg)
- ▸Unique "Freefly T-Motor" propulsion system for quiet and efficient flight
- ▸Foldable design with quick-release props for rapid deployment and transport
- ▸Integrated MoVI gimbal support for top or bottom mounting configurations
- ▸High-precision GPS and advanced flight control system for stable operation
- ▸Robust carbon fiber frame construction for durability
- ▸Integrated FPV camera for pilot's perspective
- ▸Customizable power distribution system for various accessories
Specifications
- ceiling
- Not publicly disclosed
- configuration
- Octocopter
- endurance
- Approximately 10-25 minutes (payload dependent)
- mtow
- Approximately 33 lbs (14.8 kg)
- payload
- Up to 20 lbs (9.07 kg)
- propulsion
- 8 electric motors, 8 propellers
- range
- Not publicly disclosed
- speed
- Up to 55 mph (88.5 km/h)
Notable Operators
Comparable Platforms
About the Manufacturer
Freefly Systems began as a leader in cinema gimbals and grew into a major US drone manufacturer with industrial multirotors used across defense, public safety, and film. Its Astro and Alta lines are widely fielded for ISR, mapping, and heavy-lift filming.