Mounting a camera to a/c externally
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Mounting a camera to a/c externally
Hi,
I am wondering if there are any rules / regs that I may have over looked regarding the mounting of a camera externally to an aircraft such as a C172?
ie a GoPro camera which many of you may be familiar with. It comes with a suction cup which is fine to 300km/h. There's lots of videos on youtube of people mounting them externally without the suction cups failing. (Altho, I'd tether it to the tie down ring just in case, which raises the following question as well: if the suction cup fails, will the camera swing around and possibly hit the underside of the wing damaging it?)
I've been told through word of mouth lots of people do it, ie friends who know others who do it. No issues in terms of it falling off etc.
That aside if I do this, I'd like to do it legally.
A quick google search led me to a former pprune thread which talks about Reg 35 but a search of the casa website didn't really help me unless I'm looking incorrectly.
Thanks
I am wondering if there are any rules / regs that I may have over looked regarding the mounting of a camera externally to an aircraft such as a C172?
ie a GoPro camera which many of you may be familiar with. It comes with a suction cup which is fine to 300km/h. There's lots of videos on youtube of people mounting them externally without the suction cups failing. (Altho, I'd tether it to the tie down ring just in case, which raises the following question as well: if the suction cup fails, will the camera swing around and possibly hit the underside of the wing damaging it?)
I've been told through word of mouth lots of people do it, ie friends who know others who do it. No issues in terms of it falling off etc.
That aside if I do this, I'd like to do it legally.
A quick google search led me to a former pprune thread which talks about Reg 35 but a search of the casa website didn't really help me unless I'm looking incorrectly.
Thanks
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Presuming that you are in Oz, it's the same as for any other mod. Easiest way to tick the boxes is to pay a few dollars to your local CAR35 guy or gal.
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I am in Australia.
Civil Aviation Regulations 1988
What am I missing here in the CARs?
or am I looking in the wrong place?
It goes from 33 to 37
also would you know a rough figure as to what it costs?
Civil Aviation Regulations 1988
What am I missing here in the CARs?
or am I looking in the wrong place?
It goes from 33 to 37
also would you know a rough figure as to what it costs?
Speed isn't the issue , pressure differential is. It's a suction cup, remember?
Also, I'm not 100%, but I'm pretty sure tethering it to a plane is the worlds stupidest idea. Good luck with that.
Also, I'm not 100%, but I'm pretty sure tethering it to a plane is the worlds stupidest idea. Good luck with that.
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Tethering isn't an issue, it won't fly around and hit the wing. you don't see the ropes on sea planes flapping against the wing, they just hang about 45 deg to the airflow and stay there, with the added weight of a go pro, they do the same, but spin around a bit.
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The cameras I've seen have been mounted either in the cockpit/cabin or a fair way back further along the side along the fuselage.
Not sure it's a good idea to mount them on the wing or anywhere else where airflow is critical.
It's way over the top to spend $1,000+ for an Engineering Order on something like this.
One tip is avoid suction cups, which might release as the altitude increases and density decreases.
Not sure it's a good idea to mount them on the wing or anywhere else where airflow is critical.
It's way over the top to spend $1,000+ for an Engineering Order on something like this.
One tip is avoid suction cups, which might release as the altitude increases and density decreases.
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foodstamps - check your PM's.
Been there - done that. A CAR 35 Approval will set you back around $700 and it's aircraft specific.
If you use a suction mount and it loses it's grip, a safety tether will allow the camera to swing wildly in the slipstream and flail whatever surface it happens to come into contact with. There's video of just that occurrence somewhere on the web.
Been there - done that. A CAR 35 Approval will set you back around $700 and it's aircraft specific.
If you use a suction mount and it loses it's grip, a safety tether will allow the camera to swing wildly in the slipstream and flail whatever surface it happens to come into contact with. There's video of just that occurrence somewhere on the web.
Saw one where a GoPro mount was attached to one of the Inspection Panels under the wing allowing it to be very easily taken on and off as required and was far more secure than any suction pad.
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The inspection panel is the best idea if it suits.
You WILL lose your Go-pro if you rely on the suction mount. 8,500ft is when they usually drop off, about the same time that your iPad suction mount will fall off too.
You WILL lose your Go-pro if you rely on the suction mount. 8,500ft is when they usually drop off, about the same time that your iPad suction mount will fall off too.
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Remember the plate that the GoPro came mounted on in its packaging? That is perfect to duct tape to a smooth surface like a painted wing. Just four 20cm bits of tape is all you need. When you are done just rip it off but be careful if your paint is not very good as it may take the top layer off!
I read that this has been used at 600mph at the reno races. I personally have only used it on a surf board as I haven't had the opportunity to stick it to the plane yet but I would trust it ten times more than Id trust the suction mount.
I read that this has been used at 600mph at the reno races. I personally have only used it on a surf board as I haven't had the opportunity to stick it to the plane yet but I would trust it ten times more than Id trust the suction mount.
How about if one simply mounted a camera to a head-band, and wore it?
Or to shoulder epaulettes....some guys have LOTS of bands to attach them to....
Not attached to the aircraft - so no engineering order..??
You look outside - it photos outside.
Hands free....
Any probs with this guys and gals...??
Cheers
Or to shoulder epaulettes....some guys have LOTS of bands to attach them to....
Not attached to the aircraft - so no engineering order..??
You look outside - it photos outside.
Hands free....
Any probs with this guys and gals...??
Cheers
If you are stupid enough to attach a camera to the outside of a non experimental aircraft, and post a video to Youtube that allows your aircraft to be identified, I would imagine that the CASA video police will ask you for an explanation of how that camera got attached to your aircraft, and you had better have the approvals documentation and certification by the LAME who made the modification.
"CAR 35 & 36" went out about a year ago.
It's CASR 21.M now for modification approvals.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority - CASR Subpart 21.M authorised persons
It's CASR 21.M now for modification approvals.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority - CASR Subpart 21.M authorised persons
Probably cheaper to head over to that first world aviation country where you can bolt this sort of stuff to your wing strut no questions / engineering mods required.
