The AirCam

Mike Bell and Mark go over Mike's incredibly well built Lockwood AirCam, twin engine (Rotax), homebuilt aircraft.
Let us know what you think of the "B-roll" at the beginning of the video.

[@j.gregory5669]

love the gauge overlay during takeoff and flight! Very cool!

[@boots_n_coots]

I used to poke fun at these, but I see now that this is a far more sophisticated aircraft than I thought!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

If you'd seen this one up close, you'd be impressed by the quality of Mike's work. It is perfect in every way.

[@dgs0011]

Climbs like a homesick angel

[@KevinSimon-j8o]

Seen this before in my other channel & I still enjoy watching the "Air-Cam" in action.

[@garyowen9044]

I have great respect for those that hand build their own airplane. Fascinating presentation, thanks to you both!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Many thanks!

[@ben3989]

I really like it and appreciated Mikes attention to detail and safety.

[@JimWreyford]

As an AirCam owner since 2003 I love this video! Great one to send to folks that I take flying before or after the flight. I have done Young Eagle over the years and this is particularly a good followup video for them. Thanks.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thank you for supporting Young Eagle flights, Jim! That is a true service to aviation.

[@thekatblue8119]

wow what an amazing aircraft, Mike has done an awesome job. Mark I must say i look forward to your videos, there is nothing else on the web that even come close to your videos. thx and kind regards from New Zealand

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Glad you like them!

[@AndyRRR0791]

That looks like a beautifully built aircraft and quite a tool for sightseeing! Congratulations Mike on your choice, workmanship and airmanship!

[@wayneschenk5512]

Such an unassuming owner just knows his stuff.

[@gtr1952]

I've been looking at them for a long, long time. That looks like an outstanding build! Congrats!! 8) --gary

[@justinc5284]

Another cracking video, Mark - love the HUD overlay, and thanks to Mike for making his plane available.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Many thanks!

[@ackack612]

...that just puts a smile on your face. Cool Mark.

[@esr243]

I flew one of those but open cockpit for we were in Kenya and over the Rift Valley. Loved her and Alexis, my instructor

[@chriskiwi2601]

Hi Mark. Unusual but very interesting and practical aeroplane. Great performance. Thanks to Mike.👍

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@moriver3857]

Awesome airplane and superb for a photo/film platform. What a view!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

It really is!

[@jeffmorton9220]

Seems like a rock solid performer, well built, beautiful finish. Sweet aircraft!

[@bruceperry6315]

An amazing air plane thanks for the review. A interesting foot note, I live in FL, my daughter has place not far from the airport. It is nice to see that area from the air, as well.😊

[@balsumfractus]

Thanks for sharing a ride in that very unique aircraft......very different speed spectrum from what most of us are used to..............

[@markthibault8579]

Cool aircraft. The acceleration on takeoff looked very impressive.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

It pinned me to the seat.

[@bunakkaptan]

Excellent design very useful plane.Kudos.

[@ronboe6325]

What a cool plane! Never heard of one before so this was a great video to learn about it.

[@aaronbaird3533]

Loved it. The plane certainly certainly fits the bill for it's intended purpose.

[@tedanderson463]

Yes look at all those wonderful ideas incorporated into one that's such a beautiful aircraft thank you very much for presenting that sir... Then the owner builder is it true airman...

[@billadams8795]

Very cool aircraft.

[@rangefreewords]

That is so AWESOME!

[@blancolirio]

Nice Instrument Overlay!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thank you, Juan! The program we used is called "Telemetry." It takes the GPS data from the GoPro and converts it. Not 100% accurate, but does give a good indication of what the aircraft was doing. - Don the Camera Guy.

[@eliasdaka3989]

This one it's a beast love it

[@stevecagle550]

Great video, thanks !

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

You are welcome, Steve!

[@JM-nt5fm]

I remember Chuck Yeager checking one of these out... fascinating history... truly interesting aircraft. This is a gorgeous example.

[@dronepilot260rc]

This is an amazing concept! Definitely gives you a good front view having the motors in the rear. Probably would gain more efficiency using a single pusher setups

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

The whole point of it's design was to be a twin for flying over the canopy in the Congo while filming for national Geographic.

[@FloridaFlying]

Your videos are SO GREAT. I have watched every single one (since you started taking them seriously) and they are everything a true aviation enthusiast is looking for. The accent helps too. Please don’t stop making them anytime soon

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Ha ha OK, so you are my "viewer" Thank you though.

[@JohnKenIRB233]

Now you have 2!!!! In my earlier time, I enjoyed flying with a friend around Kalamazoo in a Maxair Drifter, even got to Lockwood in Sebring Fl once to fly.

[@Steve-ui1ej]

Very interesting aircraft and good video

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Thank you for the compliment, Steve!

[@louissanderson719]

I saw Juan post a video of an open top one of these! I was like “WTF IS THAT?”… interesting aircraft. Looking forward to watching

[@superwinkta4682]

Great video, however, there's just one thing: I used to be a professional photographer and most people's "good side" is their left side. So you should give it to your guest If you want to make them look good and feel better about the photo shoot. Just a thing I used to do.

[@ngodline12]

Also; I like the B reel and the instrument overlay.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

The dopamine is flowing freely! Thanks Fear! - Don the Camera Guy

[@AviatingPassion]

5000 hour build time seems extremely high. Compared to a Vans Rv this is twice the time as an RV. The Aircam uses pull rivets that are much easier and quicker to install than AD rivets used in Rv’S. I think this may have been an accident as far as build time. A very pretty and well built experimental plane.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Maybe Mike was just taking his time and doing a perfect job and did not just want to churn it out and get it in the air.

[@gangstaparadise-qu3su]

Wow what a great toy .

[@jpaulkepler4638]

The gauges are a wonderful touch. Was this specific to this airplane?

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Hi JPaul! The gauges are generic. Data from the GoPro GPS is used to create the effect. It isn't 100% accurate, but gives a good indication on the performance of the aircraft. Glad you liked them!

[@RIP5582]

Glad you asked, was wondering about them. Nice touch.

[@thimuoimotmai464]

Cám ơn video chia sẻ của bạn rất hay và hữu ích, chúc bạn sức khỏe và hạnh phúc.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Cảm ơn bạn đã xem chúng

[@bennietipton2820]

awesome

[@klrmoto]

I really liked watching the instruments during the flight on the video. How is that done?

[@cducote6257]

By using an app

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Hi klrmoto! I used "Telemetry" to generate the instruments. - Don the Camera Guy.

[@Jerry10939]

For an observation and filming plane. It looks great and the twin engine redundancy in case of failure over questionable terrain. But it seems a bit slow for serious cross country flights. But great for building air time.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

But very very economical even for a twin.

[@captarmour]

Great Video! Man O Man any plans of making a wider fuselage to accommodate side by side seating!? With the 140hp Rotax 915 it should manage 6 people easily. Great for Tours and even basic Air Ambulance

[@shockflyer71]

Amazing and beautiful plane. 😍👍

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

We agree!

[@hogey74]

This actually flies like a plane with a spare engine.

[@GoatMan-dl5ds]

There was one of these at an event at my little airport. It didn't have a roof though it looked like a flying canoe.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

The canopy is removable. When we first saw Mike's plane, the canopy was not on it. It makes winter flying more enjoyable!

[@rileysmith8980]

Nice video , one of my favorite planes. How did you overlay the flight data?

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

We use an app called Telemetry Overlay. It takes GPS data from the GoPro and translates it into gauges. - Don the Camera Guy.

[@ngodline12]

I had a long comment describing the flight in an AIrcam I went on out of Sebring. For some reason, it wouldn't post. The short version is, it was one of the most fun flights I've ever had and I need to figure out how I can afford one.

[@pilotmiami1]

Bravo

[@infinitefray8067]

so with the second seat removed would this be FAA part 103 compliant because I like the enclosed cabin and I hope the engines are 4 stroke because I would totaly get one if there was a 1 seat option with a carry some suit cases I would totaly buy it.

[@glennllewellyn7369]

Yep. Super handy to move the bodies around!

[@robertlafnear7034]

Part 103🤔...............Yeh, ....sure.

[@EricSimoneau]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. Out of curiousity, what airport is that? It looks awesome.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Hi Eric! We are in Placerville, KPVF.

[@dronepilot260rc]

I have an Rc glider that’s similar to this design. It uses a single pusher but I think im going to make it a dual pusher just so I can experience it 😎

[@chennemeyer]

What an intersting plane

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

We agree!

[@r0cketplumber]

It looks like a twin Breezy with a cabin.

[@AV8R_1]

Do you have to burp these or is the oil system different than a single engine application?

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

You only have to burp them if you want to check the oil. It gets the oil back into the reservoir and onto the dipstick.

[@AV8R_1]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 no, I get how it works, because I have a 912 ULS on one of my aircraft, I was just curious if it was something that still had to be done on the air cam. Being at the engines are a pie and a little harder to get to, I didn't know if the oil system was configured a little differently.

[@guilhermetomazini5179]

That's one massive rudder

[@Jetairplane]

What category of aircraft does this fall under?

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Experimental Home Built

[@marcgoff7881]

With the canopy up it’s sorta looks like a Gotha GV WW 1 German bomber.

[@Neil_]

I see these as an "I'd like to fly one" to say I have, but the price for such a niche mission... buy an old cub, or four.

[@veritas6466]

Mike: “This aircraft can take off on one engine, at gross because those engines stop.” Mark: “They go bang and just stop?” Mike: “Yeah they’re Rotax they just stop.” Me: Dayum! Speed is life. Altitude is insurance.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

What is meant by this is that when you shut down a rotax, it just suddenly stops. They literally just stop like they have hit something, meaning that if you shut one down in flight, it will not windmill. We are talking about how they shut down.

[@peterxyz3541]

How much?

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

The Owner preferred not to say.

[@FlightSimDude]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@bjs2022]

Great report, thanks. “…very unique…” Error.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Glad you liked it, but you have created a bit of confusion with your closing. "... very unique..." Error. Perhaps you can clarify for us?

[@bjs2022]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 Unique is an absolute (or finite) adjective and should not be modified with another adjective. (For example, you would not say someone is “very dead“.) You are not alone. It may be among one of the most common errors, like “graduated college” or “graduated high school”. One does not graduate college, the college graduates you.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

@@bjs2022 This channel is about Aircraft not incorrect syntax.

[@bjs2022]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 Constructive criticism is an act of love. I like you and I like your channel and I want you to continue to succeed. Someone once said (paraphrasing) a private pilot license is a license to continue to learn. If you hear someone with bad grammar they seem lazy and unprofessional. Why not be the best you can be? You already have the advantage of a great accent that some Americans perceive as highly educated.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

@@bjs2022 Thank you but I maintain that is is a channel for aircraft and not syntax police. Just FYI. "unique" can be used as an expression of rarity and still be in context. No-one actually thought that this is the only air-cam in existence.

[@Laodell]

Pretty much a modernized and miniature PBY Catalina.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

The Catalina is an amphibious aircraft, while the AirCam is completely terrestrial.

[@Laodell]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 Obviously. Outside of landing on water, there are strong similarities in their general layout. With obvious differences. Push vs pull etc.

[@kkiwi54]

Cruising at 3200 to 4200 won't do the Rotax gearbox any good

[@andresgonzalezcerda7635]

Why?. I don’t see any Rotax limitation about that…

[@vandungvo216]

Think, place for Propeller is a good idea, place for Engine isn't good for airflow. Engines integrated in wings and you can fly in all weather.

[@kevinmurphy3464]

And I thought the Wren 460 was unique.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

I know. Strange and interesting was the AirCam

[@rrad3926]

Need to feed that plane more. It's ribs are showing!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

We attribute the anorexia to sipping 4.5 gallons an hour!

[@dcavidflyer3073]

Mark you make good stuff..... but I just can't with AirCam. I just don't understand this at a price of $150-200k.

[@jjjjjjjjrifufjssjosskenf]

Check the price of a Carbon Cub…. I’ll take an Aircam at 150k

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Not every airplane is for everybody. This one filled a very specific need. Glad you like our stuff!

[@oldschoolmotorsickle]

Yes, for its mission, it’s the only thing available at the price. It’s designed for low and slow, with the safety factor of two engines.

[@dcavidflyer3073]

@@oldschoolmotorsickle Quicksilvers, Challengers almost any ultra lite, just missing an extra engine is all. All I am saying is I do not see it. Tons of great planes for this mission.

[@dcavidflyer3073]

@@jjjjjjjjrifufjssjosskenf Why not a Super cub at $85-120k then? Just saying.

[@memestopyoutubeless3157]

Steven Kingg

[@PRH123]

Have seen this aircraft’s predecessor for I don’t know seems like 30 years, and it never made any sense to me then, and to be honest it still doesn’t…. only watching this video today after so many years of seeing it in magazines and videos did I learn that it was specifically developed for inflight filming for National Geographic…. other than that single specific purpose it seems to me that any other 200 hp single would make more sense for any application…

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Any mission that requires low and slow flight will benefit from the additional engine since the aircraft can fly very well on one engine. Imagine if you were flying 100' above a power line, surrounded by tall Pine trees while doing a line inspection and your ONLY engine went out. You'd probably think the AirCam is a great choice for that mission at that moment!

[@cannon440]

OMG over $200,000.00 for a home built which takes more than two years to complete? The dollar ain't worth nothing!

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Mike is a perfectionist. The work he did on this aircraft is absolutely perfect.

[@scottnathan7907]

While I guess that this plane, won't need crow flaps, lol, Look it don take long, to see why.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

I'm not sure what this means.

[@scottnathan7907]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 The engines have no covering because they are outside, of the plane. There is no engine cowl, on it.

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

The engines have no "covering" because they are liquid cooled and therefore do not need to forcefully duct cooling air through the cylinders to cool them. Cowlings are not just for looks, they are for cooling. In this case the water cools them in a radiator like in a car.

[@ngodline12]

I asked that question at the factory. they said cowlings weren't necessary due to the engine design, added extra weight and most importantly, if the cowling comes off it goes through the prop and look out!

[@scottnathan7907]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 Ok thanks.

[@zackriden79]

SOO SLOW SOOO UCH MONEY 300K ISH just not that much airplane

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

If you were flying at treetop level over the Amazon, making documentaries for NatGeo, you'd probably think it was exactly the aircraft for the mission. Different aircraft for different missions.

[@zackriden79]

@@skywagonuniversity5023 yeah because everyone flys over the Amazon dude you could buy a really nice House and a Brand new truck or a toy that does 70 knt and carries 2 people? and no one that watched this video, has a mission unique enough for this aircraft its just too overpriced for what it is I'm sorry that's the truth , or if you want to go places you can buy a Baron , you want off field ? this is the same price range as a carbon cub dude

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Flying over the Amazon for NatGeo is exactly what this was designed for. Not because everyone does it, but because that was what they needed for that mission. Some people learned about the plane and wanted them. Not everyone is you. Not everyone has the same mission. Not everyone has a limited bank account. You are looking at it from your lens, and that is fine, but it is a very interesting, very capable aircraft and we were glad to be able to make the video of it.

[@avalanche9026]

Noop. Don’t like it. Turning in to expensive complicated machine. Not for average people .. quicksilver Gt 500. Much better. A fraction of the price. The best u light in present

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

To each their own.

[@FlyingNDriving]

If most planes are women is this an Air Cam girl!?

[@skywagonuniversity5023]

Nope. Not gonna touch that one.