For over a century our bounds to the earth have been cut, we’ve been allowed to roam the third dimension where dreams come to play and where we can dance with the clouds. The sky is more blue, the clouds stark white, and the ground becomes the backdrop rather than the stage. The experience of flying is like none other. Pilots around the world are joined together in this mutual experience and by the need to share the joy with the rest of the world. Now more then ever the ability to share that experience is within the realm of nearly every pilot.

Advances in digital video technology have made recording your flight easier and more affordable than ever. We have all seen the videos on TV or YouTube of daring camera angles and shots taken from the wing, tail and cockpit. This technology is no longer reserved for professional production companies or wealthy aviators with prices now with in the range of most pilots.

Flight video recording is nothing new, for decades this technology has been used by many industries from police to surveyors. Today it’s common to see video systems used by flight tour companies, flight schools and many aerobatic pilots. Adding a video system to your aircraft can be quite easy with complete systems available off the shelf.

Learning to about digital video, like most technology, can seem like an intimidating endeavor; but this task is simplified with a few basic facts. All video systems are comprised of two main components, a camera, and a recorder. These two components are most commonly combined to create what is known as the camcorder. Since it is not inherently safe to strap your camcorder the wing, tail, or horizontal stabilizer it is best to separate these components giving you a light weight camera that can capture the glory of flight from breath taking angles while your recorder enjoys the safety of the cockpit.

The most common type of camera used for on-board recording is the bullet camera. Weighing less than two ounces, these light weight, high resolution cameras can be mounted virtually anywhere on the aircraft capturing stunning video from any angle. These cameras are typically waterproof and feature exchangeable lenses that allow the user to change the field of view. Bullet cameras commonly feature exchangeable glass that can turn an expensive bug hit into a five-dollar repair.

 Recording video from your brave bullet camera is a digital recorder commonly referred to as the digital video recorder or DVR. DVR’s typically have no moving parts and can withstand high g-forces and temperatures ranges. Unlike camcorders with thousands of parts, DVR’s are designed for harsh environments and can take the punishment of flight with out issue. DVR’s can be mounted virtually anywhere, although most commonly found in a cargo hold or under the seat. The recorder reads the video signal from the camera and records it to a memory card which can then be transferred to your PC and burnt to a DVD.

 Video flight recording can be a great learning tool for many pilots. When flight time is at a premium it’s important to get as much from your flight experience as possible. Flight schools across the nation are adopting video technology to help their students get the most from their flight instruction. The use of video not only cuts down on the required flight time needed because it reinforces what the student is learning, but is also a great revenue stream for FBO’s with a tight budget.

Flight schools are not the only industry taking advantage of video as a revenue stream, the wide spread use of DVD technology have allowed flight tour companies to realize this market as well. Digital video technology allows for the easy transfer of video from the helicopter to a DVD.  In less then five minutes after landing tour operators can have a professional DVD burnt and ready to be sold to customers who were just in the air.

Video has also been a great tool for aerobatic pilots; not only for post flight analysis but for promotional purposes as well. Due to the compact size and light weight of modern video systems it is common for pilots to have cameras mounted on the wing or tail of the aircraft with the recorder capturing their awe inspiring moves in high quality digital video.

With the limitless uses of video even recreational pilots can use video systems to share their weekend adventure with family and friends. Complete systems can be had for as little as $600 and can be used to record everything from your first solo flight to a war bird formation flight at your local air show. I personally use the XM-DVR Pro to record my flight lessons in a Cessna 152, not only as a learning tool but to show family, friends and to share online. A digital video system makes a great addition to any pilot’s gadget collection.