GoPro and other cams in flight

[usmarinemike]

So. Let's say that a pilot were to take a camera flying on some dynamic events. What type should it be and where should it be mounted?

It would appear that GoPro is the brand of choice. Is there a certain model that's best?

Should it be helmet mounted or maybe suction cupped to the canopy? Forward on the canopy or over the shoulder? Side of the helmet? A suction cup will take 6g's, right?

 

[Reconjoe]

I like the contour line of helmet cam's myself. The shape of it seem's way more practical, and plenty of mounting options. I just always thought the Go Pro's are too boxy/bulky to fit comfortably on a helmet, and I'd imagine even tougher in a cramped cockpit. I haven't used it in the plane myself, but had mounted it to a helmet throughout TBS and it was unobtrusive and took great video.

http://store.contour.com/contourroam-1080p-camera-p65.aspx?gclid=CITJo9ic7a8CFSKhtgodaB0v0w

 

[OscarMyers]

I use this

http://www.amazon.com/PEDCO-P-UCA-P...B4HC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336360815&sr=8-1

To mount my tachyon XC to the glare shield of a 172. The clamp has a ball hinge in it, so it can be mounted in about any position and it has standard camera mount threads. It seems sturdy, couldn't tell you about the 6+ G requirement.

 

[highside7r]

Seen both GP and Contour in use, I own the GoPro Hero 2 for 2-wheel work/sports and made some flying vids this year I'm still editing. Pros/Cons to both. For the GoPro, I got the LCD screen attachment and like the new interface better for taking vid or pics. Mounting to helmets can be pain as it is boxy, unlike the Contour. Tons of accessories for the GoPro. Had a crew chief with a small lipstick cam in OIF, he could clamp just about anywhere, but needed a regular camcorder to record the vid

. One thing I wish the GP had is some sort of remote so I could tie the cam down to the tailwheel (H-60), then again some of my co-pilots are back there anyway.

 

[srqwho]

One thing I wish the GP had is some sort of remote so I could tie the cam down to the tailwheel (H-60), then again some of my co-pilots are back there anyway.

This might be what you're looking for... albeit not available yet (Summer 2012)

http://gopro.com/hd-hero-accessories/wi-fi-bacpac-remote-combo/

 

[HokiePilot]

I have used a Contour HD on a few of my flights. I just velcoed it to my helmet. It worked great. Anything attached to the airframe of the helo will vibrate to much to be of use.

 

[highside7r]

All the shots above in the vid were attached directly to the airframe, my biggest surprise was the airframe didn't shake the hell out of this little camera. Not sure who, this was pre-GoPro/Contour days.

 

[RobLyman]

I've used a suction cup mount with a GoPro on the 60M with AVCS and there was little to no shaking.

 

[fc2spyguy]

I have used a Contour HD on a few of my flights. I just velcoed it to my helmet. It worked great. Anything attached to the airframe of the helo will vibrate to much to be of use.

Not entirely true. The image stabilization software available is pretty awesome.

 

[ryan1234]

I made this with my GoPro 2 last year at an airshow, helmet mounted...I edited it with FCPX

Yes, the edit speed is a bit fast...it supposed to like that...just a quick 1:30 teaser for the team

Snort is flying the MiG-17

 

[Sapper!]

This is another good example. If you open the video on the Vimeo site then click download if gives the option to download the original 16:1 AR. The embedded video does not even come close to that quality. If you check it out and are impressed it has the cameras used in the description (sony HD cam and GoPro).

 

[usmarinemike]

This is another good example. If you open the video on the Vimeo site then click download if gives the option to download the original 16:1 AR. The embedded video does not even come close to that quality. If you check it out and are impressed it has the cameras used in the description (sony HD cam and GoPro).

Any 10 seconds of that 10 minute fighter porno is worth more by any measure than all of Top Gun and Iron Eagle combined.

 

[C420sailor]

[threadjack]
Pickle for an AMRAAM shot in an F-15C?

 

[scoober78]

Any 10 seconds of that 10 minute fighter porno is worth more by any measure than all of Top Gun and Iron Eagle combined.

Shot of the merge at 3:40 ish was sick...

 

[pilot_man]

[threadjack]
Pickle for an AMRAAM shot in an F-15C?

Yes