GoPro airplane mounting

[chanavorn]

Hello,

I'm now flying Socata TB20 Trinidad and using GoPro Hero3 to capture my flight in cockpit.
I wondered that my GoPro can mount outside my airplane but I'm not sure which mounting kit that i've to buy.
TB20 is a low-wing aircraft so it can't mount on strut like high-wing airplane.
I've heard that it can mount at tiedown ring or mount with the screw with the wing.
I've found these two brand that might suit my aircraft but i'm not sure which one is better and how to install it.
Nflightcam GoPro Billet Mount
GoPro HD Mounted to Airplane
Can anyone give me some advice?

Thanks,
Chanavorn
Bangkok,Thailand.

[T28D]

GAFA Tape best of all 50 mm rolls.

[VH-XXX]

You'll need to use the search function. There was a tread in this about two months ago or so and included the legalities of this for use in Australia.

[Old Akro]

Is this one of the TB20's at BangPra?
I would think that you wouldn't have much trouble finding someone at the Thai Flying Club who could help.

[chanavorn]

I'm flying at Civil Aviation Training Center Hua Hin.

[Old Akro]

I'd think about putting it behind the landing light perspex with an ordinary suction mount.

[truthinbeer]

These blokes specialise in mounting camera gear to anything that goes fast. I'd get in touch to see what they can do - Camzilla Universal Camera Mounts, GoPro Hero3, Drift HD Ghost, Sony ActionCam, DJI Phantom & BlackVue DashCams

[training wheels]

Here's the thread that XXX was referring to;

http://www.pprune.org/pacific-genera...xternally.html

chock dee, sabai sabai

[Old Akro]

Truthinbeer, those guys are really just reselling RAM mounts. RAM are not bad, but the professional gear is Manfrotto which you need to buy from one of the professional film production supplies.

The beauty of the GoPro is that at about 150 grams weight, it doesn't need much to secure it.

Removing the perspex leading edge cover from the landing lights is pilot permitted. So long as that wasn't too arduous, it would be my first choice. Inside the perspex cavity you could just about use blu-tack to hold it in place. But I'd try a Gopro suction mount on a light lens first.

Alternatively, I know some guys who pick an inspection cover in an appropriate place under the wing and obtain a second one to which they hard mount a gopro. Removing & replacing an inspection cover is pilot legal. Adding the gopro is probably not.

Laew tae khun

[truthinbeer]

Perhaps Old Akro but they supply a lot of gear to motorsport generally including Manfrotto and have a fair reputation because of it. I am purchasing some Manfrotto gear this week for a motorsport application and which will also get underwater and surf usage.

It is always good to hear a voice of experience regarding external aviation mounts.

[Mr_Pilot]

Ask these guys...

This video link may come in handy... just give them a call and ask them what kind of gaffer they used etc.

http://io9.com/5893615/absolutely-mi...-during-launch

[Ultralights]

i just want to know where the report is on how dangerous external cameras are? thousands of planes flying all over the world with cameras mounted externally, you would think they would be falling out of the sky on a daily basis.. its amazing the fleet in alaska still exists, bikes, snow mobiles, boats, all hanging off lift struts...

[Old Akro]

i just want to know where the report is on how dangerous external cameras are?

So its not dangerous unless someone says so in a report?

The first issue is that it is illegal in Australia without an engineering order. This is CASA pedantry at its best, we are one of the only countries in the world that does not allow minor modifications to be signed off by a LAME. But most camera installations are illegal. I doubt that this stops most people, it just makes them careful not to be found out.

The second issue whether or not its safe. The answer to that is that many installations are safe. Some are safe with some augmentation (eg aerodynamic housing) some are potentially unsafe if the is a failure and some are just plain unsafe. If you can't discriminate between these, then you are someone who should leave it to a LAME.

[Ultralights]

So its not dangerous unless someone says so in a report?

well, where is the data, and statistical evidence to support the ruling and its requirement?

how many accidents have been caused by this apparently dangerous addition or a camera here of there?

[Volumex]

well, where is the data, and statistical evidence to support the ruling and its requirement?

There isn't any, but we are dealing with CASA - the shadow boxing champions of the universe. They can develop regulations now for safety concerns that haven't been discovered yet.

[Old Akro]

well, where is the data, and statistical evidence to support the ruling and its requirement?

I can't help repeating this. CASA don't require, or typically use, any objective data for their rulings.

[A. Le Rhone]

Awesome article from the fantastic EAA

EAA Sport Aviation - February 2013

[djpil]

In this case, CASA pretty much copied the USA FAA's rules (as indicated in that EAA article).