YAK 52 aircraft mount

Tokkelossi

Tokkelossi

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I have the chance to take some shots of a Russian YAK 52 in the air. Its a 2 seater and i will be aboard. I want to get some shots from the wing tip looking toward the cockpit.

I have some old cameras that i can 'waste' and am just wondering if anyone has done or tried to fix a camera to an aircraft wing.

I have had lots of experience with taking photos in the air (used to be a skydive cameraman) and am aware of safety etc.

Im after the more practical side of things.

I know its a long shot ... but one of you may just work :-)

or is the CAA the best port of call?
 
I can't see it being possible I'm afraid. If you came up with a camera mounting bracket you would have to apply for a CAA design modification and pay a large application fee and for any flight testing needed.

I can't see many owners letting you just (illegally) gaffer tape one on either, as it is a bit of an unknown quantity as to how the airflow near the wingtip would be affected by the camera, crucially at low airspeeds eg. landing.

Why not enjoy your flight in the Yak and then photograph it from another aircraft? Most Cessnas and some other types are cleared for flight with windows open or doors removed as you would likely know.

Sorry I cannot be more help. :)
 
WaspJunior has it right. Apart from the legal ramifications concerning external modifications of the airframe, at worst stall characteristics could be affected resulting in a bent plane:eek:
 
Mmmmm... not looking good is it :-(

Im going to 'try' and give the CAA a call and see how far i get.

The YAK is a bit of a rugged beast and if it can take machine gun bullets through the wing .. maybe .. just maybe .... it could take a camera.

The pilot is a good friend of mine and says the yak has a very forgiving stall range. Even landing without flaps is not a problem.

Shes not saying she will just go ahead and do it but if we can try ..... it would be a bit of fun.

We could do the shoot over the sea which will solve the camera hitting someone/thing problem.

I also have been thinking of rigging up a 'cutaway' lanyard that would release the camera from the wing just before landing. Much the same way that a skydiver cuts his main chute away to deploy the reserve.

As i said i dont mind trashing the camera as long as i can get the card out.

I also dont hold up much hope of it going ahead ... but if i can do it ... i think the shots would be fab, and may set a trend :-)

Will let you all know how it work out .... talk in a few months/years hahaha
 
Trouble is it's a monoplane. Most wing towards the cockpit type shots are done on a biplane with the camera fixed to one of the struts, or from a chase plane. It's not like you can just clamp to the wing.

Is this where photoshop comes to the rescue? Camera on a tripod by the wing, take the shot on the ground and add sky later?

Great planes though. There's an aerobatic team using them and I've seen a few other pilots do displays with them.
 
Byker28i said:
Trouble is it's a monoplane. Most wing towards the cockpit type shots are done on a biplane with the camera fixed to one of the struts, or from a chase plane. It's not like you can just clamp to the wing.

Is this where photoshop comes to the rescue? Camera on a tripod by the wing, take the shot on the ground and add sky later?

Great planes though. There's an aerobatic team using them and I've seen a few other pilots do displays with them.
Click to expand...


A little close to home ;)

The shot i want is of a team in flight .... wing toward cockpit with 2 other yaks in background. these pilots know their stuff so i know they will go by the book/CAA

At worst it will keep my mind young ... find myself looking at the wall when people are talking to me :naughty:
 
I recall, many moons ago, a photographer with the BBC fixing his Nikon to leader's aircraft in the Red Arrows and getting pics of the rest of the team.
However, there was a technical evaluation first.

Don't think that even a pilot if qualified to assess the effect of fixing apparatus to the exterior of an aircraft.
A bit risky I fear, but hope you get it resolved.
 
Seriously, I would not do this without permission from the CAA. If the camea falls off on the way to the sea it could kill someone. Then a manslaughter case would be a cetainty.

Yes the YAK is a sturdy aircraft, any unauthorised mods could have an unknown affect. It would also invalidate the aircraft insurance. If there is an unrelated incident that causes damage AAIB take a look CAA informed, no pay out.

Any aircraft can land without flaps, just a higher approach speed needed and a longer runway. Most high performance aerobatic aircraft don't have flaps.
 
problem isn't the weight of the camera on the wing its the disruption to the airflow, talk to the CAA considering the nature of the use of yaks someone may have done it before in which case you can follow their procedure and calculations ;) if not it will be 'complex'
 
Tokkelossi said:
A little close to home ;)

The shot i want is of a team in flight .... wing toward cockpit with 2 other yaks in background. these pilots know their stuff so i know they will go by the book/CAA

At worst it will keep my mind young ... find myself looking at the wall when people are talking to me :naughty:
Click to expand...



Right - so if we're talking Aerostars those guys are excellant. I've no doubt using these guys then the best way to get the shot is to get them lined up with you in a chase plane. (I take it they've got two seats?)
 
I guess if you did get the authorisation to attach it to the end of a wing your best bet would be to stick it inside an aerodynamic pod? There may even be a fixment on the end of the wing for this, although I guess they would probably be under the wing, not on top?
 
Made some calls and waiting for call backs. Email to the CAA’s Safety Regulation Group ... gulp :-)

Been told a group in the USA have done this. Confederate Air Force. Dropped them a mail also.

This wont happens without the CAA so im at their mercy.

But .... the wing tip is the place of most turbulance? where the low/high pressure meet forming vortex .... disturbed air. So if there were any place to put something ... why not there?

A pod sounds like a good plan and I still have a riggers certificate so all 'cut' handles etc ... I could do. Also I can attach a pilot chute in case the camera comes away. .... which it wont.

God ... what am i getting into hahaha

Will let you all know

cheers for the thoughts/advise
 
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