Comments on: POV.1 Progress http://www.marialanger.com/2008/03/07/pov1-progress/ Web site and blog for Maria Langer, freelance writer, commercial helicopter pilot, and serious amateur photographer Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:42:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Maria Langer http://www.marialanger.com/2008/03/07/pov1-progress/#comment-96729 Maria Langer Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:56:48 +0000 http://www.marialanger.com/2008/03/07/pov1-progress/#comment-96729 I understand your concern. I was concerned, too -- although not about anything getting sucked IN. I was worried about the whole thing breaking loose at my standard 110 knot cruise speed and bashing itself against the helicopter's paint job. But I tell you one thing: this camera isn't going <i>anywhere</i> without the entire door going with it. It's mounted very solidly with a clamp to the vent opening. There's a small lip on the top of the vent opening and the clamp is tightened below that. So not only would it have to work loose from the door panel, but it would have to work loose enough to get over that lip. Also, I covered the darn thing with electrical tape, making sure the lose ends were facing backwards. I did a 1.5 hour flight from E25 to PHX to SDL to E25, averaging at least 100 knots the whole way and the tape is still good as new. So I'm confident that the camera is well attached. I'm pretty paranoid about anything on the outside of the aircraft, so I really worked hard on this one. Since testing it, I've worked out a new audio connection and have secured all the loose wires to the inside door frame where there's no chance of anything getting caught up in my feet. The last step is the Velcro I'll be putting on the back of the recorder unit to further arrest any sliding around it might want to do in flight. Where'd you fly Hueys? I understand your concern. I was concerned, too — although not about anything getting sucked IN. I was worried about the whole thing breaking loose at my standard 110 knot cruise speed and bashing itself against the helicopter’s paint job.

But I tell you one thing: this camera isn’t going anywhere without the entire door going with it. It’s mounted very solidly with a clamp to the vent opening. There’s a small lip on the top of the vent opening and the clamp is tightened below that. So not only would it have to work loose from the door panel, but it would have to work loose enough to get over that lip.

Also, I covered the darn thing with electrical tape, making sure the lose ends were facing backwards. I did a 1.5 hour flight from E25 to PHX to SDL to E25, averaging at least 100 knots the whole way and the tape is still good as new.

So I’m confident that the camera is well attached.

I’m pretty paranoid about anything on the outside of the aircraft, so I really worked hard on this one. Since testing it, I’ve worked out a new audio connection and have secured all the loose wires to the inside door frame where there’s no chance of anything getting caught up in my feet. The last step is the Velcro I’ll be putting on the back of the recorder unit to further arrest any sliding around it might want to do in flight.

Where’d you fly Hueys?

]]> By: Bob Lawrence http://www.marialanger.com/2008/03/07/pov1-progress/#comment-96693 Bob Lawrence Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:39:41 +0000 http://www.marialanger.com/2008/03/07/pov1-progress/#comment-96693 Nice setup but was wondering if not better to mount on one of the skid braces? Seems if rain or anything can be sucked into the PIC's open vent there might be a problem. Just a thought from an old 7300 hr Huey driver. Nice setup but was wondering if not better to mount on one of the skid braces?
Seems if rain or anything can be sucked into the PIC’s open vent there might be a problem.
Just a thought from an old 7300 hr Huey driver.

]]>