Freefly Systems drone with 15.9 kg payload capacity and integrated MōVI gimbal for cameras like RED Dragon or Alexa Mini.
Technical Details
Maximum Take-off Weight: 24.9 kg with 15.9 kg payload. Eight T-Motor U8 KV100 motors drive 29-inch propellers. The carbon fiber chassis measures 1,270 mm between motor axes. Integrated MōVI gimbal system stabilizes cameras such as RED Dragon, Alexa Mini, or Sony FX9. Redundant flight control with dual IMU and GPS. Operating temperature: -10°C to +50°C. Battery system: 6S 22000mAh LiPo batteries, hot-swap capable during operation.
History & Development
Market launch in 2016 as the successor to the Alta series from Freefly Systems, founded in 2011 by Tabb Firchau. Originally developed for their own MōVI gimbals, the Alta X quickly established itself in Hollywood productions. In 2018, Freefly expanded the system with the Alta Pro variant, featuring improved weather resistance. In 2020, RTK-GPS was integrated for centimeter-accurate positioning.
Practical Use in Film
Used in "Blade Runner 2049" (2017) for complex tracking shots through skyscraper canyons. "1917" (2019) utilized the Alta X for seamless transitions between ground and aerial shots in the famous one-shot sequences. Typical workflow: Gimbal operator controls the camera separately from the pilot, allowing precise image composition during complex flight maneuvers. Disadvantages: High power consumption at maximum payload, noise pollution from eight rotors during interior shots.
Comparison & Alternatives
Directly competes with the DJI Matrice 600 Pro (6 kg payload) and heavy lift systems like the Shotover F1. Bridges the gap between consumer drones and manned helicopters. Modern alternative: DJI FPV for smaller cameras or specialized custom builds for extreme payloads over 20 kg. The Alta X is used in medium to large productions where gimbal quality is more important than pure flight time.