Need tips for shooting from small airplane
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Jeff Anderson
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Doubt you'll have enough room to operate a steadicam (even a small one). The way the windows are situated (I'm thinking C182) its kind of hard to get a good look at the ground without doing some odd flying. Find a skydiving school in your area and see if they'll take you up in something that has a good view. Much easier to see with the door flung open and those pesky seats out of the way.
It is a Piper Saratoga. No options for using different plane. The owner said we might be able to remove a window.
I agree, Steadicam not a good idea.
I am trying to arrange that we be up in the air during magic hour, probably in the afternoon. I am assuming magic hour from a plane will be better (prettier) than mid-day light. Is that true?
I agree, Steadicam not a good idea.
I am trying to arrange that we be up in the air during magic hour, probably in the afternoon. I am assuming magic hour from a plane will be better (prettier) than mid-day light. Is that true?
I used to own a 1996 Saratoga II HP before I traded up to my Malibu Mirage. Don't count on the owner removing a window, it is actually a felony for anyone other than a FAA certified airframe & powerplant (A&P) mechanic to remove any bolts or fasteners unless this guy does it cowboy style and if so I'd be more worried about a wing or something else falling off when your up in the air.
Pipers suck for aerial photography because of the low wing design if they don't have a camera port underneath, don't even waste your time trying to use a steady cam.
I have flown my plane with the back door open, you shouldn't have any problems in slow flight. If this guy is really willing to remove a window just have him remove the back door and you can sit in the rear of the plane and get some decent shots that way.
There are not a lot of good angles you can shoot from out of that plane unless you want the wing in the frame.
Ideally you should mount the camera to the front landing gear and run a monitor inside the plane.
Wish I could give you better advice, Saratoga's aren't the best planes for aerial photo stuff unless they have a camera port installed.
Pipers suck for aerial photography because of the low wing design if they don't have a camera port underneath, don't even waste your time trying to use a steady cam.
I have flown my plane with the back door open, you shouldn't have any problems in slow flight. If this guy is really willing to remove a window just have him remove the back door and you can sit in the rear of the plane and get some decent shots that way.
There are not a lot of good angles you can shoot from out of that plane unless you want the wing in the frame.
Ideally you should mount the camera to the front landing gear and run a monitor inside the plane.
Wish I could give you better advice, Saratoga's aren't the best planes for aerial photo stuff unless they have a camera port installed.
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If there is a light cloud layer anywhere from 1,500 AGL to 6,000 AGL the light reflecting off it from the sun setting is incredibly vivid especially if your 500 feet under it. I took my mom flying with me around sunset one evening and she couldn't believe how beautiful the sunset was, WAY more redish gold and vivid than being on the ground. Don't go to early so you have to fly around for an hour waiting for it but don't wait to long where your in the twilight hour (remaining light after the sun has set). Make sure you go over the sectional with the pilot about what directions you want to fly over your locations, angles of attack etc.
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If your not paying for the Toga then I'd proceed but if you are start calling around to small airports looking for a plane that has a camera port or a Cessna (they have high wings). A cessna 172 or even one with a camera port if you can find one will be much cheaper than the Toga costs.
So how would you "Mount it" to the front landing gear? Just bolt it in somehow? I'm going to be doing one of these shoots soon myself so pretty keen to know if you can use for example, a car stabilizing kit or equivalent when mounting to the undercarriage?? I'm going up in a skywriting plane and there's a hatch in the floor...
Use the hatch in the floor and build some custom mounts that clamp on to some supports, car mounts might work, you can't be drilling holes in someone plane.
I really can't tell you how to do it because I'd have to see some pics of the plane and the hatch in the floor.
Is it a pitts stunt plane?
I really can't tell you how to do it because I'd have to see some pics of the plane and the hatch in the floor.
Is it a pitts stunt plane?
LeftyLarry
Member
I don't think I'm being overly cautious when I say don't even think about mounting your camera to the outside of a plane unless it's in a protective housing and bolted on by an A&E mechanic. If you haven't any idea of the force of a 75-95 mph airflow, just think "hurricane." I would hate to have you staring at the empty spot where your camera used to be, or to have your camera whipped around by the force, not to mention what it could do inside your camera through even the smallest openings.