Aerial photographing device and ground target height measuring method based on unmanned helicopter

The invention relates to an aerial photographing device based on an unmanned helicopter. The aerial photographing device comprises a machine body and range finders, wherein communication connection is established at a ground control center of the aerial photographing device; the machine body is internally provided with a protection box; the protection box is a transparent glass chamber; the protection box comprises a first chamber and a second chamber; a rotation range finder is arranged in the first chamber; a fixed range finder is arranged in the second chamber; an included angle alpha is formed between a detection head of the rotation range finder and the horizontal plane; alpha is greater than or equal to 45 degrees; the detection head of the fixed range finder is perpendicular to the horizontal plane. When the unmanned helicopter is applied to aerial photographing plotting, the cost is low, large range measurement on the height of a ground target is rapidly performed, moreover due to adoption of the protection box, a damping device and a buffer structure, the aerial photographing range finder is comprehensively protected, the use period of the range finder is prolonged, the cost is lowered, and the efficiency is improved.