Record a flight

Hi I would like to record a flight. What are some good ways to do it do I buy a iPhone mount and if yes where can I get one or do I use a camera and what do I need to get what kind of mounts or stands do I get

German,

I know recording a flight is cool and people these days have to photo document every aspect of their lives, but I’ve never been a fan. As a student pilot you have more important things to worry about and there have been multiple incidents where people start messing with the camera or it comes loose. That said I know people do it and apparently it’s not even illegal so if you want to please do it safely.

Adam

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Ok I’ll be safe but what supply’s do I need

Most of the “cool” aviation youtubers use GoPro cameras. There are also adapters to plug into the gopro to record cockpit audio. I agree with Adam though if you’re goal is to become a professional pilot you shouldn’t worry too much about filming the process.

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German,

I would recommend against doing this. I see no reason for it and it will likely cause you some distraction. Being distracted in an airplane is the last thing that a pilot needs.

Chris

German,

None of the mentors on here support filming flights, so none of us will recommend equipment to use.

Chris

I would suggest getting in the habit early of keeping a sterile cockpit. Don’t be like everyone else.

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Ok I think I’ll save the recording for later on

German,

Not to sound like a broken record but I absolutely agree with the mentors and Arthun about not doing it. The best thing you can do is work on honing your skills and getting through your ratings.

While it looks cool (keep in mind those you watch on YouTube have been doing it for 5+ yrs and they have a lot more flight time than a student or newly minted pirvate pilot) there are so many factors you have to take into account (safety, FARs, etc) and a great example I heard was what if your on short final in a strong crosswind and a camera drops making a noise (startling you) or hitting you. You now have to explain to the owner (if you rent), insurance, FAA and NTSB why you wrecked a Cessna/Piper and then explain to any future aviation employer that you wrecked a plane over a $150 camera and to have a cool YouTube channel.

I’m going to go against the grain here. I recorded a lot of my PPL training with a GoPro and sticky mount that was affixed to the top middle of the aircraft, near the overhead lights. It was completely out of the way and that mount isn’t falling off of anything. I found it very useful to review my flights, and I had audio plugged in so I could hear all the comms. I used the nflightcam audio + power cable in addition to my GoPro 5. Many trainers already have the GoPro mount fixed on the ceiling, so if there isn’t one I would either ask the owner of the airplane/flight school if you could use it, or you could use a suction mount in the top center of the windshield.

Hate to beat a dead horse… But Recording while in ATP aircraft (apart from the intro flight) is against the rules anyway.