Helicopter mystery solved

Last week we reported on a mysterious helicopter flying low over Chapel Hill.

Jan-Michael Frahm, research assistant professor at the UNC-Chapel Hill computer science department, told me this week he's using the helicopter to collect aerial video footage for a 3-D model of Chapel Hill. Eventually, the model may allow users to explore Franklin Street in detail - like Google Maps on steroids.

Missy Wood, a department spokeswoman, said the project may require more helicopter flights.

"We will do a better job in the future of publicizing it," she said.

See examples of Frahm's modeling projects here.