Mounting lightweight cameras. LAA Info leaflet

[Brian Hope]

Recent CAA guidance has highlighted the safety concerns of mounting lightweight cameras, such as GoPros and indicated that LAA PtF aircraft were subject to specific guidance from the LAA.
That guidance has now been specified in a new Technical Leaflet, TL3.24 which is available on this website under Aircraft & Technical/Data Library/Technical Leaflets.
A press release has also been prepared:

LAA Produces Guidelines for Mounting Cameras on Aircraft
The LAA has supplemented the guidelines issued by the CAA CAP 1369, Policy and Guidance on Mounting Cameras on Aircraft, with advice specifically covering small, light cameras attached to LAA aircraft, such as GoPro units.
With the availability of lighter, cheaper cameras it’s natural that owners will consider installing such a device to record their aviation adventures. Technical Leaflet 3.24 is available via the LAA Engineering website and describes how camera installations are dealt with in the LAA system and offers advice on safe and secure methods of mounting

http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co. ... ations.pdf

[P5151]

Hi Brian

I have just read this and of course in principal it makes sense where a camera is placed externally on the airframe. What though about a camera placed in the cockpit say above the panel, or other fixed internal part of the aircraft where it does not interfere with any control system, avionics or block the pilots view?

In other words one which is in effect similar to a helmet mounted camera in effect. I would suggest that such mounts could have been dealt with in that way, but as things are would be subject to inspection and a MOD 2 submission. Could these not just be cleared by an inspector?

[Brian Hope]

Hi Steve, I think you have misunderstood TL3.24; it gives details of a number of attachment criteria for mounting a camera inside or outside of the aircraft and pretty well covers most normal requirements. Provided your inspector is happy that the attachment complies with the requirements of the Technical Leaflet, he only has to issue a Permit Maintenance Release and make a note in the aircraft log book:

Installations conforming to the requirements above must be checked prior to flight by an LAA
inspector that they meet the requirements, and the inspector must then sign a Permit
Maintenance Release (see TL2.04) in the airframe logbook to that effect, quoting that the
installation has been fitted in accordance with TL 3.24 issue 1.
Initial flights with the camera in place must be carried out with due caution. For externally
mounted cameras, this should include checking whether the installation has any effects on the
flight handling or control feel, buffet, vibration, stall characteristics, high speed flight, etc. Check
the behaviour of the aircraft in normal flight prior to any aerobatic flight. In the event that
adverse effects are determined the installation must be removed.

Only installations falling outside the TL requirements have to be referred to LAA Engineering and could require a mod.
Rgds, Brian.

[P5151]

Hi Brian,

Thanks you are right, I misread this.

[weirdfish]

I'm wondering where we stand with temporary mounts that for instance velcro around a strut. Would it need to be signed off every time it was fitted?

[Chris Martyr]

I'm wondering where we stand with temporary mounts

Steve , "Temporary Mounts" is for when you attach the camera to the 4130 steel bracket that your Inspector has approved .
After he has done this, then you can attach your Go-Pro , as often as you like. But preferably with aircraft quality AN or NAS bolts.

.....Velcro...? ? ?

[weirdfish]

Chris, I think you misunderstand me, I'm not talking about just a velcro patch, but a webbing strap with hook & tape sown into it that goes fully around the strut holding onto itself in all areas other than the part the Gopro attaches. It is a far more solid way of mounting than the adhesive mounts regardless of what they may be stuck to.

I'll have another read of the document but how it reads to me is that it is fine to use adhesive mounts direct on the wing strut, subject to proof load testing. It seems unnecessary to fit a steel plate and then stick an adhesive mount to that. However, I do not discounting that I may be misinterpreting the requirements.

[Chris Martyr]

Actually Steve, my previous post wasn't intended as a 'put-down' as I believe that there could be a bit of ambiguity when reading requirement no.9 of TL3-24.

"Proprietary self adhesive mounts may be used in accordance with manufacturers instructions". Does rather imply that the manufacturers are giving details of how to install the material on an aircraft, which could be a little open to interpretation [ and a bit of a legal minefield].
Also, " may only be used in positions where no harm will be done to occupants, propeller, structure or controls/control horns should the device become detached" . Well, to answer that one properly either requires a crystal ball or a flight test using a purposely frangible mount to induce a deliberate failure in flight.
I'm not trying to be Mr Clever Clogs here and if people who can see another interpretation of this can advise , then it would probably be of great help to guys who wish to pursue this and the Inspectors who will be signing for it , as we're not talking about wrapping one onto the rollcage of ones Westfield or the handlebars of a mountain bike here.
I do apologise , but you'll find that most LAE's are a bit 'dyed in the wool' when it comes to these matters and I still find myself erring towards aircraft spec.materials for fitment of these type accessories.

[weirdfish]

And in that we are in agreement