Suitable mount for a camcorder in a PA28
 

All,
Looking from some advice in for mounting a camcorder (canon HF-S21) in a PA28.
I've tried a suction cup about 12cm in diameter on the side windows but that doesn't work as the windows are slightly curved.I've also tried a clamp on the central window pillar but it difficult to poisiton the camera as the windscreen curves in near the top.
Running ou tof ideas so wondering if someone has any ideas and has perhaps done this or similar.
Simply just want to record my flights and getting someone to hold a camcorder just 'doesn't cut the mustard'.

Any suggestion gratefully received.


[I've sussed out the sound by attaching a tieclip mic and placing this in my headset - blocks out most of the engine note but leave ATC very clear.]

How about a large sponge, wedged between the compass and the coaming? It'll be quite stiff if unused. It can be cut, and a piece of thin plywood glued on to take a screw holding the camera. I've successfully used a Canon HG 10 from a tripod head on a plank fixed to the RH seat back with bungies, in a Jodel. Would work on a Pa28'
I used a cardboard box, fixed with velcro, to hold a Fuji Finepix still camera (used in movie mode) on a Jodel coaming. A rubber band held the camera in place.
I'm experimenting with a sponge mount for the Canon HG10 on a Jodel, as the HG10 is very sensitive to vibration. The mount is now suspended from centre of clamshell doors - not suitable for Pa28.
(sample Finepix movies from coaming and centre on Youtube under username Uisgebeathamadadhrua)

I recommend having a passenger hand holding the camera - people make really good shock mounts, and hopefully you won't have the thing fall down in the works trailing cables. When I was making low cost DV programmes for the BBC we used an adaptor to listen to ATC. It consisted of a standard arircraft listen jack, from Transair or wherever, with a 120k resistor soldered in series inside the jack. On the other end was an XLR plug to fit a standard sound cable which ran to the sound input on the camera, usually a 3.5mm jack. This worked well in various aircraft from a PA28 to a 747. A similar system using a NATO jack works in helicopters.

B

In flight Video
 

In the DR400 I use a normal sized tripod in the back. Short leg on the middle of the rear seat cushion and a leg on the floor behind each seat, puts the camera in between the passenger's headset and mine. With trial and error I have found that the higher up in the aircraft I get the camera, the better the pictures are.

I have it pointing at the panel and it takes in the forward view as well as the instruments. I have a proper lead which connects to the rear intercom socket and plugs into the Mic input on the camera.

I tie the tripod down with a Bungee cord to prevent it moving, and it all works out really well.

There's a much easier way - sticky velcro, purchased from your local art and crafts store.

Slap a bit on the top of the instrument panel (or whereever you want it), a bit on your handheld device, and there you go. It won't fall off either.

:)

Heavy Duty Windscreen camera mount

I have one of these, and have used it many times in the PA28. It's best off on the passenger window, or passenger windscreen as it restricts the view a considerable amount.

The very nature of the three suction pads absorbs the shock extremely well.

Cheers

Ah, so you can't just plug in an audio cable from the headphone socket and put that straight into the camera? It needs resistors etc?

Maoraigh is obviously and ex Blue Peter presenter. The only thing missing is a squeezy bottle...;)

thanks for the replies,
The heavy duty windscreen mount looks good.So it sounds like they will work where there is some curvature such as the side window and more so on the windscreen.

The velcro also sounds good but didn';t want to leave marks behind as its not my aircraft.

Bern444, The audio side sounds interesting, so a 120k resistor in series on these leads is enough? You'd think there be a big market for a device like this , if one was available comercially, it would sell like hotcakes - obviosuly don't want to damage the mic input on your camocorders. As I'm pretty rubbish as anything electrical, might be something I could ask an avionics expert to 'knock up'.

re the sponge, yes perhaps worth a try.I'll get my sticky back plastic, toilet rolls and washing up liquid bottle out!

thanks all for the responses, if anyone else has suggestions, shout.

One non-suggestion - I'd not put it too close to the compass, just in case its internal wiggly-amps muck up the calibration, either temporarily or permanently - particularly if running it off aircraft 12V where the same applies to the cable.

G

Have a look at RAM Mounting Systems, Inc. and aircraft/camera mounts
Whatever you do make sure the camera has a safety strop in case of detachment in flight and jamming controls or personal injury

In the interests of science I just took apart the fixed wing adaptor, not having opened it since I made in in 1996 - and yes, it's 120k, with the resistor inside the XLR plug. All the parts are easily and cheaply come by, so unless you're totally ham fisted you don't need a commercial version.

I still don't know why you want a clamp in a PA28. With Jeremy Clarkson in an F15 or James Mays in a U2 you do, because there's no room for anything else, but these days they'll probably mount at least two cameras to give them variety. In a PA28 you have the freedom to get lots of different shots if you have a passenger hold the camera. Watch a normal documentary and you'll rarely see a shot that lasts more than about six seconds because after that it gets boring, and so will your film. Handheld solves all your problems and gives you a much better result. Here's one I made earlier - YouTube - Piper PA28 Flight from Fairoaks to show you what I mean.

B

Check this out - it may help:ok:
YouTube - How to - Video Audio Recording Setup in Piper Warrior LBL