GoPro flip down mount strength?

[Scotty G]

Look at NFlight mound as well: good stuff.

[smithflys23]

I see that there are a few reports of people using the fold down legs on the GoPro up to Vne. It’s good to hear they hold up at speed.

Are you using any other special mounting hardware? Do you use the plastic hardware that’s included with the camera to mount it to the airplane, or something more robust?

I’ve seen aluminum frames that wrap around the camera, and aluminum forks (not sure what they’re actually called) that the cameras fold down legs slides into. I’m wondering if this is necessary. I REALLY don’t want to lose a brand new camera, but at the same time, I’m looking for the simplest solution. I want to film aerobatics (up to Vne) from outside the cockpit. Any help is appreciated.

[MacCool]

I use a RockSteady mount for InstaOne and GoPro cameras, mounts readily to the wingtip screws or inspection panels. Rather then relying on the plastic “flip down” mounting case, I opted for an aluminum one. It’s a very solid mount. I don’t know if it’s more solid than necessary. I didn’t want to take chances.

[smithflys23]

Originally Posted by MacCool

I use a RockSteady mount for InstaOne and GoPro cameras, mounts readily to the wingtip screws or inspection panels. Rather then relying on the plastic “flip down” mounting case, I opted for an aluminum one. It’s a very solid mount. I don’t know if it’s more solid than necessary. I didn’t want to take chances.

I have that flush mount also, and I had a similar frame for an older GoPro.
I’m wondering if that is necessary. I feel as though the additional weight of the beefed up frame adds stress under G load. Like you, I don’t want to lose the camera, so I’m trying to find a balance between strength and weight.

I guess what I’m asking is if anyone is using just the provided GoPro mounts that are plastic while doing aerobatics. Maybe Stu will chime in as he does a lot of filming, and aerobatics too.

[YellerDaisy]

I get questions like this pretty often so I created a little video of the mounting of my multi-camera setup - here.

New information since the video... I had one of the GoPro mounts crack recently. It was on my vertical stab mount and was one of the three little fingers thru which the fastener goes. The camera remained in place.

I'm of the opinion that the vertical fin mounted camera take a bit of a beating. The air loads are sufficient that it will 'push back' if not firmly snugged down and on rough airstrips, it gets jostled a fair bit. Probably not worse than mounted to a mountain bike though. I don't think the gentleman acro that I do creates any significant loads on the cameras.

Someone asked about vne. I've never ran that fast with the cameras mounted.

[smithflys23]

Thanks for that. Good information.

[smithflys23]

For anyone else who may have similar questions. I found one of Stu’s videos to be helpful.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wTIukl-tdXc