AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2011 - 89

such a way that the operator can’t reach it in flight. It’s also the only one of the three cameras mentioned here that has a jack for an external microphone. And even though the Drift is physically larger than the competition, it can still be easily attached to an aviation helmet or headset, or mounted inside the cockpit. Rules and regs FAA regulations on the legal requirements related to carrying external video gear on Standard-category GA airplanes (FAR 43 Appendix A) don’t specifically address attaching video cameras to the airframe, and experts disagree about whether such actions are “major repairs or alterations” that require FAA Form 337 field approvals, or “minor” alterations that can be addressed with logbook entries from qualified mechanics. There’s also the possibility of putting the aircraft in the

Restricted category when a camera is mounted externally, then moving it back to the Standard category later. Even under the strictest interpretation, however, video cameras are allowed for Part 91 operations in Standard-category airplanes as long as the cameras are temporarily affixed inside cockpits (using Velcro or suction-cup mounts); the cameras aren’t hard-wired to aircraft electrical systems (cigarette-lighter adapters are OK); and pilots take common-sense precautions against cameras blocking their view, limiting control deflection, or becoming dislodged and fouling flight controls or other aircraft systems. Sophisticated multi-camera systems mounted to airframes and wired into aircraft electrical system (DataToys www. datatoys.com and Onboard Images www. onboardimages.com are experts in this area) typically require field approvals. And large external camera systems such as those used by TV networks and movie studios require STCs and detailed engineering studies. Experimental-category aircraft owners and pilots have much greater flexibility in this area. Most are only required to notify their local FSDOs of

“significant” structural or aerodynamic alterations, and mounting tiny video cameras generally hasn’t met the threshold of significant alterations. (Aircraft Spruce sells a variety of Motocam systems of varying complexity starting at $765.) Anyone flying with video gear, whether it’s inside or outside their aircraft, should be aware of the hazards. Art Scholl, a legendary airshow performer and movie pilot, was killed during the 1985 filming of Top Gun when a large film camera mounted in his Pitts S–2A apparently changed the flight characteristics of that aircraft in such a way that made it impossible for him to recover from an inverted spin—a maneuver he’d performed countless times in that same aircraft. Consider the ways that the mere presence of video gear can affect our own behavior and judgment. YouTube contains a horrifying menagerie of buzzing, scud running, and other bad pilot behavior that seems as though it was scripted by the makers of the Jackass movies. How many of these actions would have taken place had cameras not been present? E-mail the author at dave.hirschman@ aopa.org.

http://www.datatoys.com http://www.datatoys.com http://www.onboardimages.com http://www.onboardimages.com http://www.lasergrade.com/ http://www.lasergrade.com/

AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2011