AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - October 2018 - 80

These rugged little cameras are available in a
range of prices and capabilities, so if you're just starting out, there's one to suit your needs-and plenty of
models to move up to. But a savvy buyer needs to do
some research. For example: Which action cam is for
you? How will you mount it inside and outside the
airplane? (Can you mount it outside the airplane?
Yes-but with caveats that we'll explore.)
Four pilots who regularly use action cams in flying (and scuba diving, and riding motorcycles) share
their best practices and offer tips on making a wise
buying choice.
BIRD'S-EYE AEROBATICS

Susan Bell, a competition aerobatics pilot with the
International Aerobatic Club, mounted a camera
above the instrument panel of her Extra 300. She
likes to record the aircraft's three axes of movement
as viewed through the canopy and reference those
images in her preparation for a competition.
Bell mounted her camera above the instrument
panel via a custom bracket attached to her aerobatics sequence card holder, using a small RAM ball and
arm mount on top. "The camera screws down onto a
tripod mount and holds well up to the 8 Gs I typically
pull," she said.
Like Bell, you can install a camera or two inside
the cockpit using temporary mounts. An inexpensive cable that connects the camera to your airplane's
audio panel will ensure you get clear radio communications along with exciting footage. You'll want to
make sure the camera doesn't block any views, interfere with flight controls, or become a distraction. Use
a secure mount to prevent the camera from coming
loose. As always, fly the airplane first.
Although an avowed fan of 360-degree cameras,
Bell warned that they work best when mounted with
lots of space and interesting things around them-
which is why the Extra makes an excellent platform.
Its canopy puts the viewer in the virtual pilot seat.
Other caveats for this type of camera: The files are
large, extra processing is required to produce a video,
and only a few platforms support 360-degree videos.
JUST THE BASICS

If you're not ready to plunge into 3D photography,
that's fine. Plenty of pilots are content with a more
basic setup.
Gene Mohr of Trenton, South Carolina, likes to
shoot day trips to local public-use airports in his home
state. He enjoys documenting his entries for the South
Carolina Aviation Association Ambassadors Passport
Program.
Mohr uses two cameras on a Van's RV-6A. His
longtime favorite is a GoPro Hero 3 Black-an older
GoPro that still functions well in the cockpit, he
said. He added a Drift Ghost 4K for exterior shots,
80 | AOPA PILOT October 2018

SUSAN BELL'S CAMERAS
Ricoh Theta S; Polaroid Cube to record
altitude gain and loss during aerobatic
figures.
What she likes: The Ricoh's back-to-back
fisheye lenses allow Bell to capture every
aspect of the aerobatic maneuvers she
flies. She can zoom out and view both
wings relative to the horizon to ensure
she is not dragging a wing on a vertical
line. The Theta S is "easy to use even with
gloves on, and its bright function indicators on the front panel clearly can be
seen in daylight," she said.
Bonus: Friends can experience aerobatics by viewing the video in a virtual
reality headset. "The reactions and commentary-'Oh my, I'm spinning and now
pointed at the ground!'-are priceless."
Price: $299.95 (Theta S); $124.95
(Polaroid Cube)
www.theta360.com; www.polaroid.com

http://www.theta360.com http://www.polaroid.com

AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - October 2018

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