Strapping a Tri-pod into a Cardinal...

I've been successful in using a tripod in my Warrior. I just filmed
some night ops two nights ago successfully. What I do is set up the
tripod to have two shortened legs and one long leg. I put the two
shorter legs against the back seat's bend and adjust the long leg to
the floor to get a somewhat level position. I secure the back two with
the lap belt and use a bungee to secure the front attaching it to a bar
under one of the front seats.

Unless you're doing aerobatics, it will stay put. Actually, it should
stay put even in aerobatics given a tight enough bungee/seatbelt setup.

I've had no problems with the focus using a common Sony DCR-TRV18
MiniDV camcorder. I find that I don't have to put it on the Focus on
Infinity setting to get both the panel and outside in focus but you can
try it if you think it will help.

A couple of things I learned through trial and error:
1) put the camera as close to the headliner as possible to get a good
view of the outside. Anything lower will get you a frame full of panel.
2) unless you want to listen to the engine drone, I'd suggest plugging
the back headphone jack into the audio-in jack. Just make sure to get a
good sound level through adjustment of the passenger volume in the
intercom (if you can). Otherwise you can easily end up with distorted
audio (although it does give it an "antique" flavor...or maybe a New
York City Subway announcement flavor--it's a fine line)

I'm sure there is the "proper" way according to audio/video philes but
this worked for me.

Marco


wrote:
So I've decided to film some of my flights now during the rainy season
(really fun flying in Hawai'i during that time), and I was wondering if
anyone has any advice on how to strap a camera on or not on a tripod
into a plane, preferable on the tripod so I can move it around as I
desire (pan it left to right). Thanks for your guys help.