How to Set up Your GoPro Cameras in Your Airplane!

How do I set my GoPro video cameras up in my airplane? What is the best way to get the best shots and get the audio as well? Where do I put them? How do I sync up the audio to make it match?
I'll show you where to place your GoPro video cameras in your airplane and how to get the best cockpit, pilot and instrument shots. Ill also show you how to sync your audio so it matches and what kind of Go Pro video cameras I use, as well as all the other accessories I use as well.
Setting up your cameras is really easy, provided you place them in place where they don't become a distraction. Remember, you are a pilot first!
Have you always wanted to learn how to fly but now you are over 50? Get out there and start and learn! There are so many people in there 50's and 60's who are just starting to fly so what are you waiting for?

[@Hanna144]

Thanks! Just got a couple of second hand go pro's, will be trying this out soon!

[@ForkFlight]

As a Cardinal owner, great stuff. I've also had luck using the Drift Ghost XL camera for the outside mount/shots because the Drift has WAY more battery life than the Garmin or GoPros. I can fly 2 hours to an airport, then turn around and come back with the Drift and not have to recharge. I've tried the Drift for the interior shots but found they are not nearly as good of quality image, so I stick to the GoPros and an old Garmin Virb for those. I, too, also use a Sony digital audio recorder for the audio which has been rock solid. My biggest struggle is the center backseat camera shooting out of the front because of contrast issues. It's really hard to strike the balance between getting enough light exposure inside without washing out the outside. I'm still tinkering with that.

[@JustPlaneSilly]

Great video! Showed up in my recommendations this morning. Very well done and great advice.

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

Thanks Bryan! Hope you’re well and let me know if you want to do a program together!

[@curryblackwell1769]

You’ve done a great job of explaining. I’m 55 and just got my PPL six months ago. Currently in a cirrus SR 22 and really want to get a very basic A/V set up just to document my flight to regional airports and fun places… I’ve done a couple of GoPro recordings, and they just seemed to suck!… Too far away, bad angle… Etc. and I’m still working on the audio. Would love any other suggestions. Keep up the flying!

[@williamdavis8513]

Ted , I soloed this week in my C150. Just ahead of turning 59. My Dad turned 99 last November he soloed when he was 56. Hope to have at least ten to fifteen years of flying.

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

Absolutely! I Started applying for years ago and I just have a little bit over 700 hours and my goal this year is to break 1000 hours. That’s awesome and thanks for watching!

[@Parr4theCourse]

Awesome!!!! You're never too old as long as you are in good health, I got my PPL at 60!

[@ianmooney213]

Interesting video - thanks for sharing. Here in Australia we need Engineering Certificates for cameras that are mounted anywhere outside the cockpit. This is to ensure they don’t impact the aircraft operation or aerodynamics and also don’t impose adverse risk to others eg a wayward camera falling on them from a few thousand feet.

[@smflyboy]

Great video! I am also over 50 and learning to fly (on a Cessna 172). I know that my first solo flight is coming up and I want to record it. But since I do not own the airplane, I can't affix anything permanent. I know that the sticky mounts are not permanent, but are they so sticky that they might damage the surface when being removed?

[@Parr4theCourse]

I would recommend a stand-a-lone Digital Audio recorder, I purchased one from Best Buy that will record 60 hours of audio, as I've had bad luck several times with a GoPro not saving the audio so I ended up loosing the entire video. This way you can salvage the video with the remaining cameras, may loose a view, but you'll have something to show . . . Good tips

[@JustPlaneSilly]

This is good advice. I always use two sources of audio because multiple times I've put a lot of effort into a flying video and the audio not turned out.

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

👍

[@Parr4theCourse]

@@JustPlaneSilly Ha, ask me how I know???

[@sokalsophia4687]

GREAT VIDEO!

[@saurabhanarase4083]

Amazing video and truly informative. Comment from this Student Pilot

[@flyingkub]

Thanks for that. I have flown without turning the cameras on before now, even though I fitted them :-( Always when I have had the best landing or something cool that should have shown up on camera.

[@flyvxy]

Glad I came across your video. I now have 2 cameras so looking to set up the pilot facing camera BUT I am not so clear on the syncing of the audio or video? by clapping? Can you please expand on that process? Or point me in the right direction? Thanks VY

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

Yes, by clapping and then line up the clips in Premier or whatever editing program that you use and just sync the clap and then everything else will be in sync from that point on … thanks for watching!

[@skyking643]

Hi Ted another good video...you didn't mention what software you use to edit your video..???

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

Adobe premier ...Thanks for watching!

[@WhereNerdyisCool]

It would be wise to read up on the FAA's view on mounting cameras to an aircraft. It's a little vague and as we know, the FAA can always change its mind! I would be more inclined to use the metal mounts I have seen on Sportys and other online vendors, so that the camera can not budge or pivot on those articulated areas. (I just like aluminum over inexpensive injection molded stuff). You were smart to have your A&P do the wingtip one. Fly safe

[@frazerpeterson2857]

Great video. Would you mind taking a moment and telling me how you mount your iPad? I just purchased an iPad mini and what I thought I could use a suction cup in the left-hand corner but it didn’t work very well. I don’t think I have the right mounts. Look forward to hearing from you. Frazer N34490

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

I got the iPad mount from Sportys and it’s the iPad mini mount. It works really really well and I keep it in the lower left-hand corner of the windshield and you can see in my videos it’s kind of out-of-the-way but it’s still in my field of view which I really like. I think the mount was only $79 or something like that it wasn’t much. Thanks for watching and let me know if you need anything else!

[@PilotDaveAviation]

Thanks for sharing... I have been trying to use my phone to capture videos and audio but it worked once .... thanks for sharing.....

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

I have a video called setting up your cameras. Look for it under the video list and hopefully that’ll help you. Thanks for watching!

[@PilotDaveAviation]

@@Over50andLearningToFly yes sir I watched it thanks so much..... thanks to covid my 50th birthday celebration was canceled... this year we plan to do it big for my 51st birthday.....

[@smokingspitfire1197]

Have you checked the MyPilotPro tie down mounts? Could be a safer option for external mounting.

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

Not yet but I will ! Thanks for watching!

[@MyWTFName]

Interested in how you manage the actual recordings. Sometimes my cameras shut off mid flight, the app on my phone won't connect to them although I tested on ground, and get back home some never turned on and others ran out of of card or batteries and one just decided to go to sleep. Really frustrating trying to get them all to work for a 3 hour flight.

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

It is really frustrating because the cameras are really sensitive. Number one they’re super sensitive to heat so the cameras will shut off when they get too hot and number two is I don’t mess with the Bluetooth app being able to turn the cameras on and off and flight because it’s distracting it’s best just to turn the cameras on and leave them and you won’t be able to get three hours out of it you’ll be able to get one hour of constant footage. What I do is I only have two cameras mounted inside the plain one a forward shot that’s mounted from the ceiling in the cabin looking straight out the windshield and then the other camera is mounted near the panel suction cup to the windshield facing the pilot - Just use those two cameras and turn them on clap your hands to sync them up right after you turn them on and forget about it and that should be a great place to start. I did do a program on it it’s called setting up your programs did you see that one? Maybe it’ll help thanks for watching!

[@tryfonpanagopoulos5999]

Good Job!

[@kimberlywentworth9160]

I am getting my first Go pro camera. I am a over 50 year old student pilot.

[@stevef]

This was great. For those that rent, we need to figure out a quicker kit to get on there and take down quickly.

[@johncolliasdds616]

As a Cardinal Owner....Thank you Dr J

[@CaptMoo]

Question. The battery life on the go pros cameras are usually (i think) 1 hour more or less right? Do you have a connection for them to continue being powered? Thanks for sharing awesome content

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

I get about 45 minutes from mine - you can plug them into a separate usb power supply - but the best way is just turn them off when nothing is going on and only record the interesting stuff ! Tanks for watching!

[@CaptMoo]

@@Over50andLearningToFly Awesome. Thanks for the reply

[@one_and_only_ant6641]

How do you connect the audio from your headset to the camera?

[@Stumpchunkman226]

I’d really like to know how to record the audio from the headset to capture the radio calls.

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

You have to get a special audio cable you can find them at Amazon or sportys

[@hartlandaerialsolutions2567]

Links or camera descriptions?

[@scottmiller4711]

Any recommendations on Memory card size? Also what kind of camera is the cube?

[@Parr4theCourse]

I use 256gb, the "cube" is a Session 5, they don't make them anymore, but its my favorite!!

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

Same here the session 5 cameras are my favorite you can pick them up on eBay pretty cheap and I really like them because they’re so small. Get the largest memory card you can I think I have 16 gigs - thanks for watching!

[@stevef]

Could you do a video on the audio recording and what connectors and how you record?

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

Yeah I’ll do another one I do have one on the cameras it’s called setting up your cameras and it’s in the playlist. Thanks for watching!

[@stevef]

@@Over50andLearningToFly Yes! This is the video I am commenting from. I have seen a few but none really get into the audio connection and recording flow especially to pick up the cabin and flight comms.

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

@@stevef there is a special cable that you have to buy - it is specifically designed for the go pro hero - it is available on sportys or Amazon ….

[@mickeydoolittle2057]

Yes, it amazes me how the audio is so good in a noisy airplane. How is that done? Thanks for the videos!

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

@@mickeydoolittle2057 there is a special audio chord that goes directly into the go pro camera- thanks for watching!

[@leadpan]

Can I make a suggestion? Why not add a 360 camera on the rear-fuselage? This way you don't have so many cams and still have coverage all angles. :)

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

That is actually pretty cool I’ll have to look into that thanks for watching!

[@willyuan1]

The gopro batteries don't last that long, any trick to make sure you get enough recording time? external battery pack?

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

No, I don’t really have any special tricks. I’ve tried external power packs and the problem is is that the cameras become a distraction when you’re flying. Thanks for watching.!

[@skusemepeash2910]

I've found the battery life is not very long for the hero3. What have you found?

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

Yeah, I invested in a brand new GoPro and the battery life is a lot longer so it’s worthwhile investment. Thanks for watching!

[@yurimoros]

I’m Over 50 and this is so cool name utube video you really motivated me Question s: 1- HOW YOU GET THE FORE FLIGHT Edit inside your video 2- how you set your go pro to appear the KIAS on the video … I did ones and ever could again To zinc es great even I was a Actor I did NOT KNEW !!! That 😅 3- how you zinc the out side the cámaras

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

To get the air speed on your camera you need the GoPro nine and it’s a separate feature within the camera so that’s an entirely different camera. And to get ForeFlight inside your camera inside the program you actually have to edit it from a desktop screen and you’ll need cam Tasia or some other software feature like that. Thanks for watching!

[@dh-flies]

Curious what editing software you use....

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

Adobe premier... thanks for watching!

[@wrightbrothers7777]

Are you based out of Potomac because I may have seen you around the airport and may have spoke to you before one of my fights.

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

Absolutely! I remember you I split my time between there in Tampa I’m down here for the winter I’ll be back up there in the summer -thanks for watching!

[@yurimoros]

Most important is missing the audio I did ones but my question is you can put in audio more than one

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

Yes - but you don’t need to - you only need audio in one camera

[@chrisyalanis7797]

Hello. I’m 52 and just started flying! How are you recording audio? Thank you.

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

There is a special plug that you have to get with the GoPro hero three or four look online and Google audio connector for aviation headset and pick the one that matches your camera and it’s a really easy plug and play there anywhere between 50 and $125 but they’re worth it. Thanks for watching!

[@mrtbrocks5664]

Perfect. Thank you! (maule pilot)

[@Tchown22]

I want to mount my gopro to the inside of my school's plane, with a suction mount, but if I put I on the door window, then I'm worried that the window might randomly open and my gopro will go "bye bye😭". I want to face my gopro so it faces the front cockpit and Instruments. I don't think I'm allowed to use a sticky mount because I'm at a flight school and use like 3 or 4 different planes. And plus, the sticky mount will probably be very hard to take off.

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

Ask the school if you could put a sticky mount in all the planes and then tell them you’ll give them the footage ...

[@Tchown22]

@@Over50andLearningToFly The footage is for my personal use though. :)

[@imjusttoodissgusted5620]

I always wanted to learn to fly. It would have been nice to see where i was going for a change, In military aircraft you can't see where you are until they drop the ramp and you walk out. not going to happen though. Bad news from the doctor. ALS. Still I did get to retire at 62 even...

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

I’m so sorry about the diagnosis but if you have friends who are pilots that means you have free plane rides! Check out some flying clubs and I’m sure they’d always welcome a passenger! Thanks so much for watching!

[@texastyrannyresponseteam794]

Tether exterior cameras with super thin plastic coated cable or braided nylon line to an inspection plate screw or something.. losing a camera is one thing .. hurting or killing someone on the ground is another..

[@marksill8020]

How do you mic up with your headset or multiple headsets?

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

There is a special cable that you buy - it “Y’s’ into the normal headphone jack and it has an audio out that plugs into the go pro hero 3/4 - you can buy it on sportys online or anywhere really -

[@marksill8020]

@@Over50andLearningToFly ty

[@LordBagdanoff]

Is there a wire to record the audio of the flight?

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

Yes - audio cables are available!

[@LordBagdanoff]

@@Over50andLearningToFly for the new GoPro 11?

[@Jadeyousef9566]

Need some links😭😭😭

[@joedubois3203]

The one thing you skimmed over was connecting the sound.

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

I cut that part out to make the program shorter- there is a special cable you buy -you can get it on eBay or Amazon or Sportys or aviation spruce. And it’s called a GoPro audio cable and it plugs into your audio jack and it wise off into your headset and then it has a plug that goes into the GoPro. It does pretty good just make sure your intercom volume is set so it doesn’t come out too loud. That always happens to me - thanks for watching!

[@av8or971]

its easy enough if you have your own plane, but if you rent a plane, i would not recommend putting the adhesive mounts on to any surface without prior approval or they may not let you rent from them again

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

Yes! That is true - unless they will let you and other people can use them - thanks for watching!

[@av8or971]

I asked at my flight school, it was a hard no. Lol

[@Over50andLearningToFly]

@@av8or971 🤣🤣🤣 you can always tell them that you’re going to make videos for their flight school and put it on KZbin and it would only help them!

[@av8or971]

@@Over50andLearningToFly hahahah. I used that very arguement and they wouldn't allow it. I use a suction cup on the side window just doesn't look out the windscreen very well

[@freedomflyboy]

I would not be comfortable in knowing that I may lose a camera not only because I wouldn't want to lose a camera more to the point I wouldn't want to cause damage to anyone else or for that matter any other aircraft! this is dangerous IMO