Live Flight Tracking

After my solo, I realise that I should have really recorded it, but I didn't have time to come up with a way to mount my camera (Going to use my T1i or possibly my brother's Sony CX100).
I want to mount it somewhere behind the seats so it can see out the front window, but also see the occupants. I want to record my next solo flight.
Anybody have any solutions to this? I know I can buy cameras that will just mount to the seats and such, but I'm trying to keep the costs down as much as possible. Gotta use that money to fly, ya know?

My only suggestion- Fly the airplane. Don't worry about that stuff.

I offer the mantra of aviation-
Aviate
Navigate
Communicate

doesn't mention anything about videoing it so you can share it with your friends on facebook.


Please don't think I'm being a di*k... It's just advice from a seasoned vet.

Also if you do something wrong you don't want video for the FAA to review..

As a student pilot, I will be the first to agree that I really shouldn't be messing with video equipment during flight. However, for memory's sake, it'd be cool to be able to keep at least one or two videos of training. I'd start the cameras before I even started the airplane and wouldn't mess with them during flight unless they were causing a flight safety issue of some kind.

Having video footage of doing something wrong so the FAA can review is definitely not something you want!

Is the glass half full or half empty?

Another way to look at this is that a video of a lesson would be a good way to review the lesson to see what went right and what needs improvement.

I'm a big proponent of important things being recorded to help in the learning process.



Depending on how the back cabin wall is constructed you may be able to use one of these. They range in prices from about $25 to $70 or so. Check with your local camera shop to see if they may have something similar.

But above all remember what flyboy said:

I'm down with FLYING THE PLANE

stuck my GoPro Here HD wide camera
into the headrest / co-pilot view

I've got a few different helmet camera setups (4?)
between the Eye-Fi WiFi enabled SD card and the GoPro camera
its as SIMPLE as it gets

used to be able to sync video with VeoGeo.com and my GPS GPX files
not sure what www service there is to do that anymore

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0cE_K-NNx0

BTW - its certainly possible to be even more obsessed with photography
while flying - hint; busted shooting photo on final approach...

I'm with Flyboy on this one. I do video some of my flights but I typically have someone with me who can man the camera. On the several occasions I didnt, I had a suction cup GPS mount that I strapped a camera to. I started the video before I started the engine, and didn't turn it off until I was back on the ramp with the engine off. It was a little bumpy, especially at low RPM settings but it beats trying to mess with that while you're trying to fly.
As we were talking about in another thread about doors opening in flight..
above anything fly the airplane...especially when its something non essential to safety of flight
If you must video though, have it set up so that it's recording before you start and don't mess with it in flight. Get the view where you want before you start the flight. You can always edit the video later when safely on the ground.
As a student pilot though while it'd be cool to have a video, there are plenty of other distractions...and once you've got your certificate, you can take people with you who are great camerapersons!

I got some pretty good footage flying by myself recording with my iphone(4) clipped to the sun visor with a belt-case, but the view is just straight out-the cockpit, can't see or hear the pilot (me) which is what I want be able to do eventually.

I recently purchased an audio adapter, so I can plug mic input into my camcorder to record cockpit audio, and possibly also the iphone so I can talk through what I'm doing while recording it - worried about signal attenuation though, as the mic output from a cockpit audio jack is very high. I'm also intending to drag the wife along, or my mother-in-law to be a camera person if possible, otherwise I'll try to rig something up.

Of course, 'flying the airplane' is always number 1, but to be able to talk through what you're doing and review it later, that's invaluable, especially for student pilots! Flying lessons can be intense, and afterward you might forget something you did wrong. The avweb review makes the point that you can review a lesson on the ground and 'de-brief' more effectively.

As others have said in this thread and I said in my video posted on November 3rd at
http://discussions.flightaware.com/view ... etup#95717
(will need to scroll down to November 3rd, posting or just go to My video and Audio setup directly)

fly the plane from the moment you become PIC to the moment you stop being PIC.

I do all my setup (gravity is my friend) on the ground during times of no workload (before I even preflight) and depending on focus of video, start the camera before cranking or before takeoff during periods of low workload.

"Camera on" is not on the check list so check list items are first and foremost before I even think of mucking with the camera in pushing the one button to start recording.

One of the best things taught to me was talking it out of which I still continue to do 10 years later.

Your DE for your checkride will appreciate this the most. Also, the more you talk, the less chance the DE can ask a question!

Of course, when you take passengers in talking things out, try not to use the words "we are going down" when you mean descend.

[quote="Quake120"]After my solo, I realise that I should have really recorded it, but I didn't have time to come up with a way to mount my camera (Going to use my T1i or possibly my brother's Sony CX100).
I want to mount it somewhere behind the seats so it can see out the front window, but also see the occupants. I want to record my next solo flight.
Anybody have any solutions to this? I know I can buy cameras that will just mount to the seats and such, but I'm trying to keep the costs down as much as possible. Gotta use that money to fly, ya know? [/quote]

www.gpscity.com....they have a HUGE selection of Ram Mount Systems to choose from, and likely one to fit your needs.

Hi,

I always have a camera mounted behind me in my plane as a sort of 'black box recorder' in case something 'different' happens. Once it's on, I do not touch it until I have shut down at the end of a flight. Have a look at http://users.adam.com.au/kleb/welcome.html to see how my videos look. I use a Contour HD camera. I constructed a wooden stand that is strapped down behind the seats. It works fine in my plane, a J170 Jabiru. When I was learning to fly again (I got my licence nearly thirty years ago, then gave up to buy my house) I used the camera to see how crappy or good my flying and landings were. Very helpful. A GPS is good for that to when you start doing navigation. Just remember that once the camera is on, leave it until you land and shut down. Then have fun editing the video and making all your friends watch it.

Absolutely.... notable-activity/aerial-crabbing-over-central-park-t14217.html

I Have used gopro in the past but have had issues with the larger profile in different positions.
I currently use adrenaline systems cameras which I mount on various points inside and outside of the plane.
My system I use is the HD 295 DVR:
[url]
http://adrenalinecamera.com/product_inf ... cts_id=342[/url]

This kit comes with loads of mounting options.
But for fuller control of angles for position, it is well worth to get the moto suction mount:

http://adrenalinecamera.com/product_info.php?products_id=268


The video is great from this system with the added advantage that it comes with an integrated TFT screen for previewing footage as well as real time images which are great for pre-mounting and live viewing.