Tail Mounting of a Video Camera

[sonex1284]

OK all you Steven Spielbergs out there...
I've been successful at 1) cabin, 2) glare shield, and 3) wing-mounted video cameras. But, I'm really scratching my head over the best way to mount a camera up on the tail (of a Sonex). What have all of you video "aficionados" done that has worked well? Are you using GoPros, or a "lipstick style" like a Contour HD? Pictures would be appreciated!

[kevin814]

I haven't done this, but what about cutting a wooden "V" block to mount the camera on, and liberally duct taping the mount to the forward edge of the tail. I think a mount would need to be fairly rigid to avoid camera shake from the prop wash.

Kevin K.

[daleandee]

I'm really scratching my head over the best way to mount a camera up on the tail (of a Sonex).

I'm sure Bob will chime in here and give his version which works very well:



Dale
N319WF

[planeolbob]

Hi everyone,
Here is what I did:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/53052604@ ... 302274895/

Each camera will have different mounts but note the velcro "Packing Straps" I use. I found these excellent in damping out vibrations.

Bob (sitting in Juneau waiting for Charlie on the Cruise Ship I missed) Mika

PS Don't ask...........

[sonex1284]

Sorry about your cruise...Missing out on all that food too! My wife and I did the Alaskan cruise several years ago in June. We had 1 day of sun, and 5 days of cool drizzle. Not our favorite place to go...

Thanks for your photos. I hadn't thought abought 'glassing' something up. How did you fasten the mount to the tail tip? I see the button head screws, but are they into rivnuts? I am NOT pulling the tip to put in nutplates! I did include nutplates in my wingtips before I sealed them all up though! :D

[fastj22]

I used the standard shoes that came with my GoPro. The 3M tape that came with them is very strong. I just used some solvent to make sure there wasn't any wax or grease on the paint and stuck them down. I have three shoes now. One on the tail, one on the wing and one on the belly. Just clip the GoPro and go. Many hours of filming and they still are strong. I also figure if they ever let go, its a good excuse to get a new camera!

[rbarber]

I am fairly certain that you have seen my mount. But just in case :

[rbarber]

You can also see it on my YouTube channel...

[sonex1284]

Thanks Robert! I've never seen it close up. Is that fiberglass contoured (no pun intended) to the tip? What holds the camera to the mount? Is the orange item rubber...and does it have a fastener through it? Lastly, what is that big honkin' philips-head screwed into?

I'm having a hard time just trusting tape!

[rbarber]

Yes, the fiberglass was formed over the tail tip so it fit well. I covered the tail tip with masking tape, added a foam "platform", and some vinyl tape to add shape. I laid fiberglass directly over this. Fill and sand. The camera mount is held in place on the fiberglass mount with a 1/4-20 screw (standard camera mount). The fiberglass mount is held in place with two screws into riv-nuts I added to the tail tip. I used 1/4-20 screws to do this, but could have used maybe #8. It held well. The Orange you see is just rubber cowl seal bits to dampen the vibrations. As you can see in the video, it did not eliminate all of the vibrations, but did a fair job, nonetheless. I have never seen a video tail mounted without any vibrations, so concluded it was good enough. That help?

Rob.