It’s really up to your pilot to make camera mounting decisions, especially if they’re on the exterior of the helicopter or anywhere near the flight controls. There’s no consensus on the legal (per FAA) aspects of exterior mounts that aren’t STCed. I don’t know any smart pilot who would allow a client to mount anything on the outside of the helicopter without extensive testing (in solo flight) first.

Good luck.

There are lots of photos and videos from the GoPro nosecam here. Here are a few links:

A Few Aerial Views from Today’s Flight
Departure from DVT Video
Desert Run by Helicopter: 100 feet @ 100 knots
Drying Cherries
Lake Powell to Monument Valley by Helicopter

I just got a RAM mount that I should be able to use to mount a GoPro to a skid. Hope to experiment with that later this month.

Did you ever try using any sort of brace or SteadyCam type device? I’ve thought about buying an inexpensive shoulder-mounted stabilizer to keep in the office for the guy who, despite all warnings, still shows up hoping to get video with a hand-held SLR.

(Oh, and have you ever posted pics of your nose-cam? Back when I had the VIO, I got some decent video from it mounted on the door frame, but the GoPro and Contour systems don’t work quite as well from that position.)

The most important thing to remember is to NOT brace the camera against anything in the helicopter that might vibrate — which is basically anything in the helicopter. Your body (hands, arms, etc.) should isolate much of the vibration, but the seat, door frame, etc. will not.

I do need to point out one thing, though: without some kind of stabilization, it’s very doubtful that you’ll get usable clips more than 5 to 10 seconds long — especially if you’re zoomed in at all. The long, sweeping shot as you fly by the target is not likely to become a reality without some sort of external stabilization. That’s why I just bought one of these: http://www.flyingmair.com/aerial-photography/moitek-video-mount/

Good luck!

I’m on a shoestring budget with these shoots, and am quite nervous about spending the dough without knowing for sure what will work and what won’t. It’s doubtful the client will even spring for any kind of gyro – so now I’m down to probably a couple passes, one with and one without the internal stabilization on, just to see what works best (without a gyro). I have a couple thoughts on building something myself to help out, and I think the bungee idea, along with maybe a counterweighted mount, might at least help. I’m not expecting much, but this certainly helped me realize there were some things you could do to help yourself along the way… including the software. That was huge. Thanks again!

>

> I picked up two Silicone Grip Pot Mitts by Canopy (each about 7X12″)at that big store that we all must shop at. They are only $4ea, and come with handy pouches (where your hands would normally go) that you can use to put Hothands handwarmers in. I just wrap them around the camcorder somewhat like two burrito shells, and fasten the tops and bottoms together at different points w/ velcro. With the top and bottom openings, you can get at accessory shoes on top (for ext. mics), and the bottom can be somewhat open for mounting camcorder on a tripod. The point is that when using two separate halves, you have flexibility to fasten them around your equipment at different points as needed. Plus, the mits are insulated!

Sam

Here is the perfect solution for you. The ATM (advanced travel mount). Low cost and only 16 pounds (30 pounds in the case).

http://www.aerialexposure.com

Take care,

Arnie

Re: handheld…I did a lot of handheld TV work in the 1980s and preferred the Hughes 500D (five blades, a bit more stable) for hand-held, stay-low and shoot-wide work, along with a custom-built harness built by Thornton Technologies in Carlsbad, CA. No stablization whatsoever, just my harness and my body and some good pilot skills (including one amazing guy who still flies at 80 years old)…Front door off was best, tho I did some seated-on-the-floor back door stuff from the left side when it was critical that the pilot see exactly what I was doing. The 500 is a great mountain machine and absolutely devoid of any creature comforts. Did a network news morning show shoot (mountain flying) in this manner years ago and the New York people were agog..calling and wanting to know what the mount was and who built it. “God built it and you can’t buy it…” was my answer.

Sounds like you have a great project going…I feel your pain, as I’ve been involved in a number of self-financed projects where you try like hell to get the best aerials possible, then feel your stomach grind as the blades turn and you see your dollars leaving your wallet as the ol’ Hobbs meter ticks merrily away…