Capturing my first solo on video

[Blonde-Ambition]

This is my 1st post as a new member of Pprune. I am a student, 7 hours into training and nearing the time of my 1st solo flight. I want to canvas opinion as to the practicalities & safety/legality of capturing my first solo flight on video. I have already read a few threads on the subject & understand that there are options to capture the RT as well as the actual flight. Any advice is gratefully appreciated.

[Pilot DAR]

I know it's exciting and everything, but please consider the importance of just keeping your mind on flying. Not checking to make sure the video is recording properly, and then fixating on how your flying will look on video later. If someone would like to video you from the ground, so be it, that's where the camera belongs. When you are a very experienced pilot, you can explore video while airborne.

A lot of really bad things have happened with pilots saying or even just thinking "watch this!" just before it happened. Your skills will not be developed to the point where you can manage the slightest distraction, come first solo time, so keep them to the utter minimum.

Tell us when you do your first solo, and we'll all believe you, and congratulate you. We've been there, and we remember the feeling. We don't need the video proof. Many of first soloed back when the plane we were flying would not even carry a video camera of the day, so don't worry, we don't expect video from you!

[derekl29]

Getting my first solo recorded on video was something that was really important to me as well.

I just left the camera with my instructor and he did a cracking job of it as he watched from the tower. I don't think an in flight video would have been as good, plus you'll have far too many other things to occupy your mind.

When I show it to people now I think they've got more interest in seeing it from the outside than they would have had if it was a cockpit view.. Plenty of time for in flight videos after you've done it

[flyinkiwi]

Derek is right, leave the camera with your instructor. The less distractions in the cockpit the better.

[Piper.Classique]

Second DAR here. You don't need a video, you don't need to invite your friends to watch. I did my first solo in 1981 and I can remember it very well. Enjoy it, you really only do one first solo. I've flown a lot of other stuff (gliders, balloons, microlights) since then but the first is special. Much better than losing my virginity, and I don't have a film of that either. :)

[peterh337]

Much better than losing my virginity, and I don't have a film of that either

Yes but how can you be sure the "other person" didn't make one :E

[BackPacker]

Second the advice about the camera being a distraction.

If you do decide to video yourself, get a completely autonomous, hands-off solution. Turn the camera on, then completely forget about it while you start the engine, do the flight and stop the engine. Only then remember that the camera is still running and turn it off.

For that purpose, my choice is the GoPro. Various other threads about that camera here on PPRuNe.

[172driver]

+1 for the solution Backpacker suggests, if you absolutely have to do it. First solo isn't really the moment to fiddle with a camera in the cockpit.

You can rig a GoPro (ideally out of your view so you don't get tempted to adjust it during the flight!). Depending on the memory card, these things can record several hours of video, definitely more than your flight will last.

Anyway, good luck with your solo!

[BackPacker]

Depending on the memory card, these things can record several hours of video, definitely more than your flight will last.

If you get a 200-plus pound camera, don't skimp on a 20-pound memory card. Get the largest the GoPro supports (32 GB) and make sure it's fast enough (class 4 or better).

A 32 GB card is sufficient for about five hours of HD (1920x1080) footage, while the GoPro battery will last for about 2.5 hours. (If you get the GoPro battery backpack you can actually use two batteries simultaneously, which brings the endurance to about five hours as well.)

Yes, that is well beyond the duration of a typical first solo flight. But you might also want to use this to record your QXC, and that might take three hours total.

[lenhamlad]

I recently passed my skills test and have my PPL in my pocket. I learned to fly, not to impress others, but purely for my own satisfaction. It is now ticked off my bucket list. I agree with those who say you don't need to video your solo. There is enough on your plate without adding to the excitement. The best video is the one that will be recorded in your brain and you can replay it over and over again and not just when sitting in front of the TV or computer.

[Blonde-Ambition]

Thank you all for the feedback. The video would just be for my personal use but I guess you are all correct in the fact that my first solo will be stressful as it is and will be burned onto my memory for ever. Point taken :)

[NorthernChappie]

If its anything like mine, you won't have any prep time as my instructor simply hopped out without any warning and sent me on my way. Wouldn't have been a good idea to start fiddling with a video at that point given everything else that was going on!

[Pilot DAR]

My first first solo was extremely spontaneous, and definitely not briefed. Indeed, it was such a poor weather day, that I was sure I would not be going solo, so I asked for and got the brand new aircraft. He sent me solo, and was chewed out for sending me in a brand new plane.

My second first solo was thoroughly briefed the day before, so I knew I would be doing it. However, if I had started rigging up a camera in the cockpit, my instructor would have not let me go. Even if the new pilot is not fiddling with the camera, the sheer distraction of thinking to "perform" for it, would be a significant safety reduction.

I have since used the "GoPro" cameras with excellent success for collecting cockpit flight test data.

[fattony]

7 hours into training and nearing the time of my 1st solo flight


Wow. Well done! I think I had more than double that when I did my first solo.