Most private and recreational pilots enjoy being able to share video and audio clips of their flying experiences with others. While Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Regulation (CASR) Subpart 21.M is very clear about the restrictions on installing GoPro-style cameras to the outside of aircraft, the use of high-quality recording devices from the cockpit is allowed as long as they don’t interfere with the operation of the aircraft.

With smartphones already widely accepted as navigation aides and electronic flight bag (EFB) devices, it’s only logical that their HD-quality video would also make them the perfect choice for cockpit video, as well as intercom and ATC audio recording. Pilots who elect to use smartphones as recording devices have a responsibility to make sure that they’re secured as firmly as possible, though; and that means using cockpit kits and accessories that offer maximum stability, without becoming a hindrance to flight safety.

High-Quality HD Camera Gear for Safe Smartphone Recording

It doesn’t matter if you like recording memorable approaches to new destinations, performing aerial surveys, or just enjoy capturing spectacular sunsets when you’re at altitude, a secure mounting cockpit kit for HD cameras is what you need for perfectly positioned video capture. Companies like Nflightcam and Pilot Communications are known for producing some of the highest quality cockpit kits, cables, and general aviation (GA) accessories in the industry; and that’s why it’s no surprise that their smartphone and action camera gear selections are in such high demand. It’s becuase they’re designed for pilots who never cease to be captivated by the thrill of flying, and are enthusiastic about sharing that joy with friends and family.

Today’s HD camera kits and accessories make it possible for fixed-, as well as rotary-wing pilots to effectively link their cockpit activities with the everyday carry convenience that’s afforded by smartphones. The ability to use a single, pocketable device to capture high-definition, wide-angle video together with clear, noise-cancelled cockpit comms is perfect for:

• Instructor pilots who want to review individual training lessons with their students;
• Aerial surveyors who can use a cockpit-mount HD camera system to capture more brilliant images than by satellite; and,
• Recreational pilots who want to preserve, or even live stream their most memorable moments and destinations.

In each of these instances, an HD video camera kit frees pilots from the kind of distractive, non-essential camera-juggling that could lead to dangerous cockpit oversights. Location is the key to how effective those kits are though, and they’re designed to give you maximum camera aiming options without jeopardizing safety or cockpit management.

What are the Benefits of a Cockpit Smartphone Capture Kit?

Precision HD camcorder and smartphone cockpit kits are designed to mount easily to windscreens, side or door windows, or rear bulkheads, and they offer a range of advantages that include:

• Instant convenience. The suction cup mounting hardware used in premium cockpit kits make for easy, non-destructive installation that allows them to be positioned where they don’t impede visibilty and can be removed quickly if necessary.
• Proven performance. Turbulence, changes in aircraft pressure, and cockpit noise don’t make for a prime recording environment, but top quality kits offer optimal stability and noise-cancellation.
• Maximum safety. With the installation of an HD action video camera kit, a pilot can stay fully focused on flying without worrying about their smartphone falling off, or whether the camera angle has changed.

Considering that smartphones are used in commercial aviation for everything from controlling cabin temperature to verifying overhead storage space, it goes without saying that their full HD video camera capabilities should find use in the cockpit as well. The challenge for recreational pilots, however, continues to be ensuring that they’re able to use them without affecting their ability to fly. This is where Nflightcam’s superior assortment of HD action camera kits really has a chance to prove themselves.

Innovative Light Modulation Gives Nflightcam Kits the Video Advantage

Since 2010, Nflightcam has been on the leading edge of innovative cockpit mounting kit design, and they’ve developed an array of HD videocam mounts and cable accessories for standard-sized smartphones, as well as GoPro, Sony, DJI, and Garmin action cameras. They understand how important it is to pilots to be able to record the crispest and clearest video and audio cockpit recordings, and they offer the tools that allows them to do it without risking their control of the aircraft.

Nflightcam’s lineup of HD cam and smartphone mounting kits are built around a core of features that include:

• An articulated, stainless steel arm and smartphone cradle;
• A vacuum-supported pump-action suction cup; and,
• A smartphone propeller filter adapter.
  

Nflightcam’s revolutionary light modulating propeller filter has been instrumental in making their mounting kits adaptable to the broadest range of old and new smartphones. They allow pilots to get full HD digital video camera results from any grade of camera; and when used with one of Nflightcam’s noise reducing audio cables, pilots are also able to capture everything that’s heard or said through the headset, including intercom and ATC traffic.

Pilots Trust Their Hearing to Pilot Communications Audio Cables

Pilot Communications has over 40 years experience in the aviation industry, and they manufacture some of the best GA and helicopter communications cables on the market for recording audio directly to full HD camcorder devices. And while Pilot cables are designed to connect any iPhone / iPad, or Android device to a 3.5mm / 4-pole headset, they’re keenly aware that protecting pilot’s hearing is the most important aspect of any connectivity option.

Pilots are routinely exposed to prolonged, intense, and repeated periods of noise, and the integrated noise-cancelling circuitry built into their audio cables is designed specifically to:

• Reduce the level of low-frequency aircraft noises;
• Reduce the propagation of unwanted cockpit sounds; and,
• Increase the clarity of essential comms at reduced volume.

In short, Pilot makes cables that ensure cockpit audio and intercom captures are just as clear as the best smartphone video. That’s because they want you to make the most memorable recordings possible.

The Final Word

At the end of the day, today’s smartphones are capable of producing better quality video and audio recordings than a lot of the professional equipment that was available only a decade ago. If you’re a pilot who wants to take advantage of the HD advancements they have to offer though, you need to have a way of ensuring that your device won’t interfere with your what has to be your primary focus: flying.

A secure mounting cockpit kit for HD cameras will give you everything you need to safely make the best cockpit captures you’ve ever made. You’ll be impressed by how easy they are to install, and you’re going to appreciate making and sharing your recordings almost as much as you enjoy flying.