Everything You Need to Know About Cameras on Aircraft.

[@RightRudder]

This is Really Great info! It does a awesome job answering the questions I and friends have had about the legalities of putting action cams on our aircraft. Thanks for taking the time to put this together and summarize all the diverse information that's found on the internet.

[@JimForeman]

I was a freelance photographer and a glider pilot and wanted to mount a 35mm camera on the leading edge near the wingtip to photograph the cockpit in flight. There would be no structural changes as it would be mounted using gaffer's tape (high classed duct tape) I still had to obtain a STC covering the installation because it was in the airstream in front of the aileron. I had to demonstrate that the installation did not decrease the control or safety of the aircraft.

[@FlightFlix]

Yes, I would personally say, on a glider wing tip, some people may view a camera that size and weight affecting aerodynamics and flight characteristics. Personally, a small hero session sized camera with gaffers tape would be suitable as temporary of the pilot is okay with it.

[@JimForeman]

The mount I came up with was made of 12" square piece of .032 aircraft grade aluminum formed to fit over the leading edge of the wing with a camera tripod mount to hold the camera. I also had to add a safety cable in case the camera came loose on the mount. I'm a Glider CFI so they allowed me to check the flight parimeters of the glider with the camera mounted. It also caused enough drag that with the 25' moment arm of where it was mounted that it required constant left rudder to overcome it.

[@FlightFlix]

Sounds like they were right to want a STC given it did effect flight characteristics. It is a good thing today's cameras are so small. Thank you for sharing your info. I hope you were able to get great shots.

[@JimForeman]

Drop me an email, [e-mail] and I'll send you one.

[@FlightFlix]

Jim Foreman [e-mail]

[@aerospacenews]

Really good job on this! I've been planning a video on this topic for a long time - perhaps instead we should do a live stream interview + Q&A?

[@FlightFlix]

Thank you! I would be happy to work with you. Ryan

[@CNT12696]

great info! So if you cannot mount a gopro on the left wing of a g1000 172, can it be mounted on the right wing tiedown without affecting the magnetometer?

[@FlightFlix]

Yes, that is just one example of showing a person needs to take a minute to consider every alteration or attachment separately. Thank you for the question.