GoPro or Drift Camera on a Helicopter

[Dick Smith]

Any ideas on how to remove the jitter caused by vibration? I thought perhaps some lead on the camera and some form of rubber or spring mount. Has anyone experience with this?

[SimFlightTest]

We use GoPros a lot during flight testing, and we get the best results when the camera is mounted as rigidly as possible to the aircraft.

If you're trying to video the cockpit as a whole, then the broom closet is a good place to mount.

If you're trying to video specific instruments, then mount as close to the instrument as possible. We often reinforce the glareshield and then mount to that. To get the zoom factor correct we replace the stock GoPro lens with one with a narrower field of view.

[That lights normal!]

I'd be interested in experiences with mounting too.

Intuitively, I’d have thought an “isolating” (soft mount) might be the answer, but potentially, oscillations could be magnified.

Backed up by SimTestFlights actual experience, it seems.

The rigidity possible with a single point mount on a plastic case (GoPro) is limited, and many of the mounts available (clamps, extensions, etc) would introduce less rigidity.

Experience on Motorcycles, Mountain Bikes and skate boards – helmet/head mounting is a good option as far as vibration reduction goes. (Even seemed smoother than chest mount on the off road MTB – must be the gyros in my {aging} head)

Pre HD/GoPro, I had good results in a helicopter with a hat mounted “Helmet Cam”. I can’t recall any vib issues with that setup in a machine with 2 big blades.

What’s been the best solution to “piping in” the ICS/Radios (A mike stuffed in a spare headset achieved predictably poor results.)

[heliduck]

For an AS350 we've had good results mounting as rigidly as possible to the skid tube. Avoid the mirror bracket, too much movement.

[Dick Smith]

I have seen one mounted very rigidly on the nose of a Jetranger looking forward.
There is a very annoying jitter in the video even though the aircraft
was quite a smooth one!

[Nubian]

As for the the 350, you can use a Handlebar/seatpost (gopro)mount and fix your camera to the cargoswing if you have, which give you really good stabilized film.
Also use the highest framerate in your camera.

[airlens]

When you say jitter do you mean the rolling interference, through the picture? or do you mean like a harsh vibration.
I have been using GoPro's professionally for years and have had them mounted on various machines. One tip i did learn early on to get rid of the rolling jitter is to use some bits of aluminum foil to act as a pseudo faraday cage.
It worked and stopped some penetration of that nasty roll.
As for mounting vibration, it can vary on the same type of aircraft. I have mounted down the main seam of an R44 with perfect results. People commenting on how stable it is on some YouTube footage then take it to the next machine and its jittering like crazy, so it can be somewhat trial and error.

[John Eacott]

Dick,

I gave up on the GoPro and have a Contour +2 which is far easier to set up, adjust and use. The mount is all important, the shorter the arm and the more rigidly it is mounted the less likelihood of shake. I guess that you are mounting in the cockpit of your A109E? There aren't a lot of 'good' spots in a 109, especially with covered panels, so it may need a bit of tin work to come up with a location: maybe in the roof between the pilots?

[GyroOz]

Get the Sony Action Cam HDR-AS15, I reckon it's better than the GoPro's and it has built in stabilization, Works really well.

[fatmanmedia]

one very useful supply to have with any action camera is zip ties, good for tieing to any exposed crossmember or to any other part, cheap and easiey remoavable, i've used them on a number video projects. go with the 4.5mm wide ones and use nothing less than 200mm long, if you can get longer go for it. i use the ones from screwfix.

fats

[SimFlightTest]

One of the keys to getting rid of vibration is making the object being mounted as light as possible. With our GoPros, we have manufactured our own mounts that are much lighter and stiffer than the vendor supplied mounts. We also run ours without the battery installed. The battery is a huge percentage of the weight of the camera. Without the battery you'll have to power the camera through the high-density connector.

[farmpilot]

On the Top Gear job we did it was all gopro's on and in the cars.

[Tupperware Pilot]

One tip i did learn early on to get rid of the rolling jitter is to use some bits of aluminum foil to act as a pseudo faraday cage.
It worked and stopped some penetration of that nasty roll.

You mean this.....
watch from 3:10 on......i thought is was an effect from the prop when at that rpm..?
It's all yellow... GoPro: Piper J-3 cub - YouTube

[PPRuNeUser0179]

Hi there everyone
Could someone please tell me as to which is the best recording device to record flights in an R22?
I believe the Go-Pro is one to consider,but Im not too sure as to where I would place it.
Reason I ask this is because I would like,at the end of my training flight,to review my T/o's /approaches/landings and general flight.
The only two places I can think of would be:1.)above the panel.(but you wont get a great view of the cabin).

2.)attach it to the headset resting bar.Just below the rotor brake.
____________________________________________________________ ___

Most clips I have seen of R22 flights seem like they are attached to the headset bar.
But are there any other areas where you could place a rec device?and which device do you recommend?

Thanks in advancehttp://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/thumbs.gif

Daniele

[topendtorque]

D-f. Training flights+camera, please no.

[Dynamic Roller]

Replay XD 1080 is a tiny, light lipstick HD camera which mounts easily and unobtrusively on many headsets (e.g. above the left ear for right seat heli flying). I have used it that way for heli (R22 and R44) as well as FW flying, and it works great. You do need to adjust it to point the right way, but after a couple of attempts you should be fine and the adjustment remains stable.
I would also highly recommend adding a direct connection to the aircraft's audio. In my case, I am using a FW headset with a heli audio connector adapter, so I inserted a 2.5mm output splitter which then goes into a small digital audio recorder. This way I have two audio recorders: the built-in one inside the camera for "ambient sounds", and the digital audio recorder for very clear ATC and intercom conversations. (I merge the two audio channels with varying weights in the final editing).
Regarding the concept of heli training with video recording, it has been extremely valuable to me. I was able to review each lesson at home many times, and the solo CC flights were a pleasure to re-live at high res on a big HD screen.
I did turn the video off during my heli check ride in the 22, since I didn't want to distract or impose on the examiner.
I have chosen this after reviewing virtually all heli videos on YT, and feel (at least for me) this solution is optimal.
Overall I have been extremely pleased with the quality of both video and audio, and feel it has added immensely to my heli training and FW flying.

PM me if you'd like more details and sample videos.

Replay XD1080 HD Video Camera is the Best Action Camera. (http://replayxd.com/cameras/replay-xd1080-camera/)

Optional digital voice recorder that I use for intercom/ATC:
Amazon.com: Philips 2GB Digital Recorder with clearvoice: Electronics


DR

[SuperF]

you guys that are using a gopro, and talk about hard wiring a feed, or power to it, do you just buy another case and punch holes in it to get access where ever you want?

i just brought a gopro and have tried it in a few places, but the biggest problem is lack of battery power and memory. adding external power should be good, then its just a matter of getting more big cards to hold the vid, and i can work all day. i was talking to the guy that sold me the camera the other day, he said that they are having a few issues with the new internal batteries....

i know that i could reduce the quality to get more memory, but ive always believed that you film and shoot pics on the highest quality available as it can always be reduced later if needed.

[mickjoebill]

D-f. Training flights+camera, please no.
I second that...
Primarily because you are planning and rigging it yourself, you'll find it hard to forget about it... and since you are still building your aircraft handling skills the thought of it recording could actually delay or alter your decision making (playing to the camera takes many forms) and it could be a general distraction for the first few flights.

I say "could" to be PC..but I really mean "will"!



Mickjoebill

[MLH]

Best location I ever mounted a video cam without vibration isolation was the tow ball under the belly on the R44: flying.m4v - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9vZfkMhq9Qw)

If your looking for a passive way of isolating from vibration, heres the stuff to use: Shock and vibration solutions | Sorbothane (http://www.sorbothane.com/)

Mike

[SimFlightTest]

SuperF,

You shouldn't have to punch holes in the case to get external power to the GoPro. There are pins on the high-density connector that can be used for supplying power, as well as for getting video and audio feeds and interacting with the camera.

[SuperF]

Thanks SFT

I'll have to have another look when I get home. Vegas at the moment...

All work.:E

[cbox chip]

Has anyone thought about the legality of attaching a camera to the exterior of the aircraft with somewhat questionable mounting procedures?

What if it were to fly off and go through your tail rotor?

I have been asked numerous times to mount a go-pro in various places and have always declined on the basis that it is not an approved part and cannot therefore be mechanically fixed to the exterior of the aircraft.

[Flyting]

http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/419945-goprohd-outside-helicopter-faa-rules.html

but it is definately not approved or allowed... yet we are all doing it. It will be something to try and explain when it does finally come off and damage either the machine or someone/thing on the ground.
:eek:

[sendtoab]

A few of the regional HEMS aircraft have a variety of fixed cameras mounted within (Yorks Air Ambulance, for example, to allow cabin shots for Helicopter Heroes). Four nominally I think, two mounted at the front looking back at the pilot and front passenger and then another two just in the centre behind two front seats, one giving a pilot's eye view and the other facing into the rear.

If you were that interested you could contact the BBC team that work with the YAA and ask for the spec, I'm sure they will be glad to help. They're only very small cameras from memory, but full HD etc.

[twistair]

When I was to choose action camera I bought Contour GPS for some reasons. It show good results though we used it on helmets only. Anyway it looks like its math is good enough to eliminate vibs from video. Something like these:

MTOsport cross-country

Перелет автожира через Воробьиные горы - YouTube

One more MTOsport cross-country

�втожир летит в Первушино на фе�тиваль СЛ� - YouTube

What I didn't like was this camera has no remote control. Next gen is Contour+2 which us able to use iPod/iPad as a remote control&visor via Bluetooth.

This is a sample: Xenon gyroplane demo flight

Just fly gyroplanes... - YouTube

Note that outside views are very stable - rigid mount. Cockpit view is a trash since it was mounted on a 2-inch lever.

So - rigid mount on massive airframe elements. One more suggestion is that vibs are less when camera is closer to aircraft CG.

Fly fun,

Alex