Tips: GoPro Filming In-Flight (Commercial and Private Flying)

Not only is the GoPro a cool thing to have, but it can be a very helpful asset for any pilot. You can (and should) record your landings, takeoffs, maneuvers, and radio calls, so that you can review your decisions post-flight. I've found this to be extremely helpful post-flight.

Here are some reasons why you should consider using a GoPro:

• You can review your flights and procedures, to double check what you did
• See what errors you made
• See what you did right, and keep doing it!
• The GoPro can be plugged into the radio system of the aircraft 

• I began to notice mistakes that I made early on in my training, in particular, during landings. For me, I saw that on a few landings, I was coming in slightly too fast which meant that by the time I began to flare, the ground effect would be greatly multiplied. The plane wouldn't want to settle down at all, and a few times, began to climb slightly. Nothing bad happened as a result of that small mistake, just an extended roll down the runway and a little bumpier landing than I would've liked. 

I've tried mounting my GoPro in different areas of the plane which can be challenging sometimes. It doesn't always work out, which is OK!

Below are a few photo examples of mounting a GoPro to the interior of a plane. There are also two videos attached, which demonstrate good angles for GoPro use.

Flight Training:

Personally, I've found it to be a big asset having the ability to use the GoPro camera in flight, for training purposes. Below are some videos from my training including my first solo flight: 

Accessories:

Over time, I've collected quite an amount of accessories for the GoPro. I hope that this list will get you started on finding the perfect tools for your new GoPro! 

1.) Audio adapter: To record aircraft audio, I purchased an adapter from "The Crazed Pilot:" Click Here (*note: you'll need a GoPro skeleton case to use this)

2.) Suction Cup Mounts and a head-strap mount. 

You can see the above accessories represented in the photos below: 

3.) Prop filters from "N'FlightCam:" these help eliminate weird propellor distortion in filming.

4.) GoPro Battery Pack: for extended battery life, click here.

Commercial Flights:

On my way out to Los Angeles, I tried flying using my GoPro to record the majority of a flight from RIC to CLT in a time-lapse style video. It turned out really well. In this case, I was sitting next to my brother (who sat middle); there was another man on the aisle. After the initial climb, I noticed that the man on the aisle had fallen asleep, so I decided it would be a good time to try a GoPro video. The camera mounted on the plane window obviously looks pretty strange and out of place. Because of this, the flight attendants kindly asked what it was. After I explained what I was trying to do, they were fine with it and complimented me on the idea. I'm sure it could go either way... I got lucky this time! :)

Below, I have included photos of how I mounted the camera in addition to the time-lapse video from the flight.

Thanks for reading and watching! 
Swayne Martin
Twitter: @MartinsAviation