Side Mounts

As the name implies, these mounts are positioned to film from the side of the aircraft and are commonly used in helicopters. The camera operator sits in the rig and operates directly by looking through the eyepiece rather than via a remote control. This allows for more active and rapid camera movement such as whip pans, which cannot be achieved with other camera mount systems.

Some side mounts can be gyro assisted to give very steady pictures almost equal to ball mount quality when used for a reasonably wide shot.

It might also be possible to reload the camera in flight which means more filming time and less down time so they can represent good value for money.

They take all standard production cameras including 35mm, 16mm, Standard Definition and High Defintion video cameras.

On the down side, a side mount cannot look straight down and can only achieve a forward looking shot by crabbing the aircraft sideways which usually restricts the forward airspeed to around 40 knots.

See Tyler , Continental

Points to note:

Flying with the side door off causes turbulence so airspeed is restricted

Try to mount the camera on the pilot's side of the aircraft so you are both looking in the same direction

Better with wide focal length lens setting. High magnification lenses can be unstable

May be possible reload in flight

Possible to clean the lens in flight.