Decathlon Aerobatics

[Splinter562]

Here are some pictures I took a few weeks ago in the Decathlon. They aren't the best quality, but it's really hard to fly maneuvers and take pictures at the same time. For the self portraits rested the camera on the glare shield and just started clicking as I flew the maneuver, those shots are what the camera picked up. I was hoping to get some more shots this weekend, but the plane's down for maintenance, maybe next weekend.



How most people fly.



How I fly.



Before the loop.



First half of the loop.



Second half of the loop.

Any ideas for good shots to take next time? I know I want to get some wing shots of the hammerhead, but I don't know what else.

[Theis]

What about external shots?

[beaky]

Less of you; more pilot's POV...

Some shots along one wing during maneuvers would be cool (or shots that show the panel as well as the horizon), but I won't encourage you to be fiddling with a camera when doing aerobatics (!)
What you really need is a camcorder, strapped  in some safe way to the other seat, with a wide-angle lens. That would be cool!!

[TSC.]

[quote]
What you really need is a camcorder passenger, strapped

[Splinter562]

I suppose someone in the back seat with a wide-angle would make for some cool shots. I don't know of anyone around here that has that equipment though. We can try with a regular digital camera though. I don't think it'll be much trouble to find someone who wants to ride in the back and take pictures.

As for external shots, I'll get some of the plane on the ground next time. To get airborne external shots would be an event. I'd have to find another pilot who's comfortable flying formation and then a camera man as well. If I was still at Riddle, that wouldn't have been a problem, but out here it'll be a bit harder to arrange that.

[beaky]

I suppose someone in the back seat with a wide-angle would make for some cool shots. I don't know of anyone around here that has that equipment though. We can try with a regular digital camera though. I don't think it'll be much trouble to find someone who wants to ride in the back and take pictures.

As for external shots, I'll get some of the plane on the ground next time. To get airborne external shots would be an event. I'd have to find another pilot who's comfortable flying formation and then a camera man as well. If I was still at Riddle, that wouldn't have been a problem, but out here it'll be a bit harder to arrange that.

I'd go if it were closer to home... back-seater or air-to-air shots... I happened to pass near  an Aerobat  doing loops over the beach on Long Island once- wish I'd had a camera with me...

I've had an idea for a seat mount for awhile now, but haven't gotten around to making it:
Just a piece of thin plywood about the same dimensions as the face of the seat back, with straps attached and a 1/4"-20 bolt or threaded rod on top for the camera.
A proper camera mount with more adjustaibilty would be nice, but not necessary.

A digicam or camcorder with a remote would be ideal, but I've taken a few in-air shots with an old-school shutter cable (and an SLR camera sort of nestled on top of bags in the back of a C172); that can work pretty well.
With the right straps it'd be safe even for aerobatics... might even be a way to strap it to the back of a seat that is occupied.

[C]

Here are some pictures I took a few weeks ago in the Decathlon. They aren't the best quality, but it's really hard to fly maneuvers and take pictures at the same time.

Don't try this at home kids...

[Jared]

reminds me of adam and jamie fro mythbusters....

[CSM]

woah thats awesome wanna trade lives for a few days how often do you get to do stuff like this?  :o

[BFMF]

cool

[Splinter562]

I try to get an hour or so in every week or two. Get out and do some maneuvers then come back and do 3 or 4 landing to keep proficient. Plane was down last weekend though, so I didn't get to fly.

[Alonso]

Don't try this at home kids... ;)

>:( You should have said that much before!!!, I tried it   :-/

 :P