AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - October 2021 - 60

Gear guide
To get started, you'll obviously need a camera. It
sounds easy enough, but the choices can be overwhelming.
If money is no object, it's hard to beat a
top-end GoPro. With incredible image stabilization,
great battery life, excellent support, and a suite of useful
modes, the Hero 9 Black will set you back about
$400. Go to Amazon or check out AOPA Pilot's March
2021 report " Budget Battle " for a host of other options,
starting at a very reasonable $39.99. If you're curious
about action cameras and want to start with something
less than a $400 investment, it can be helpful to buy at
the low end and work your way up. By starting inexpensively
you can experiment with where to mount
the camera and how. Different angles may require different
mounts, and starting inexpensively will give you
good idea of how you'll use the camera and what sort
of features you need before spending the money. Then
you can pinpoint your requirements and pick the best
fit as you progress to more expensive options.
Most any camera you buy will have a selection of
basic mounts that will form the basis for experimenting
with angles. But there are two aviation-specific
accessories most people want straight away. The first
is an audio cable that captures sound from the headset.
Various options exist, but the most useful is one
that is in-line. This cable is nothing more than a male
headset plug, a plug for the camera, and a female port
for your headset. The primary advantage of using an
in-line cable is that you don't need a free set of jacks on
the airplane. Once you plug it in, you'll capture intercom
and radio audio, which is great for everything
from debriefing during flight training to legal posterity.
The other frequently requested accessory is a
neutral density filter, sometimes marketed as a prop
filter. You've seen those videos with phantom propeller
blades horizontally scrolling through the screen.
That has to do with the camera's shutter speed,
and is impossible to get rid of without a prop filter.
Nflightcam sells a kit that includes the filter, an audio
cable that also powers the camera, and a suction cup
and articulating arm for $149.99.
Other accessories, such as additional suction
mounts, chest mounts, extra batteries, and more are
good second-round purchases. Start first with experimenting
and then build up the kit later.
Once you have the camera and a few key accessories,
it's time to play. Most action cameras aren't
difficult to use, but they do require a little bit of knowhow,
and some practice. Countless great videos have
been ruined by silly mistakes, such as forgetting to
charge the battery, clean up the memory card, or turn
on the camera.
Once you have the camera and a few
key accessories, it's time to play. Most
action cameras aren't difficult to use,
but they do require a little bit of
know-how, and some practice.
60
AOPA PILOT / October 2021
AOPA Turbine Pilot Magazine - October 2021

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