Hello All,

I developed a camera mount to mount gopro cameras to various Cessna struts and have not had a chance to measure a C180 yet. My mount will work with any Cessna strut with the changes between being the length of the straps. I just need to know if the Strut on the 180 is the same as used on a 182 or the larger version used on the 185. Or if you don't know that question, what is the chord length of a 180 strut..

For reference the chord lengths for the 182 and 185 are the following..

182 Chord Length: 5.0"
185/205/206/210 Chord Length: 5.7"

So which one is it?

Best regards,

Marc

The 180 strut is identical to the 182.

Had no idea that the 185 strut was a larger cross section. How much larger?

Zzz wrote:Had no idea that the 185 strut was a larger cross section. How much larger?

Not sure but has to due with the increase of gross wieght I beleive??
Also a 150 aerobat has the same size strut as the 185, just a bit shorter! I think I remember that correctly? I'm sure some one will verify or set me straight.

Hey Guys,

Thank you so much for the help. I was pretty sire it was the same as a 182, but its always best to check. suppose I need to track down a 150 aerobat to get its dimensions now. I am trying to cover all the bases on the strutted Cessna's.

Thanks again,

Marc

I think I red once the 185 has 5/8 more chord than the 180?

Is this something you are developing for sale to the flying public? How about a universal mount that fits almost any strut? That way the Maule and Cub guys out there can get one.

Rezrider wrote:How about a universal mount that fits almost any strut?

Already done, and several here are flying them...a simple hose clamp pre-bent to the shape of the strut, some pipe insulation, a small plate cut from some flashing material, a button head 1/4-20 screw, and a retaining washer. Maybe $5 end to end, plus an hour of time.

Rezrider wrote:Is this something you are developing for sale to the flying public? How about a universal mount that fits almost any strut? That way the Maule and Cub guys out there can get one.

Hello Rezrider,

Yes this is a product I have developed and have been using for 5 or so years. I have just recently began to get the word out and its currently available for the Cessna sizes at Aircraft spruce and soon to be available with other distributors as well as a website I am in the process of making. I already have a more universal version that works with a myriad of struts that I am currently testing. So far its been tested on samples of the following aircraft struts: Bearhawk (beta unit on its way to Georg), Bearhawk LSA, Bearhawk Patrol, All of the Rans struts, Carlson aircraft Large & HD size struts, taylorcraft, Cub, Champ, Carbon Cub, Interstate Cadet, Glassair Sportsman.

I am always looking for other strut samples to draw up in solidworks to test or design around if anyone has any. If anyone has a cutting off a Zenith CH750 please let me know as I would like to see if it fits as well. Or any other model.

Allen MacBean is also using my mount on his C170 to film his Adventure on the fly TV show: http://aotf.tv/

While yes you can get by with the simple hose clamp method, but my product is still affordable and can also be used on motorcycles, mountianbikes, sailboats, ATV roll bars, Hangliders, sailboat and windsurf masts and can go from plane to any of the items on the list in seconds... Also my mount meets the current rules for Semi Permanent and requires no tools to install nor does it interact with any existing holes, bolts or tie down points on the aircraft to mount so its a bit more FAA friendly as the rules are written..

Here is a link to a few videos: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPkbgRO81PVUeH7GGwV_4JA

Best regards,

Marc

Marc:

Searched Spruce and didn't find you product. Do you have a link?

Thanks!

88H wrote:Marc:

Searched Spruce and didn't find you . Do you have a link?

Thanks!

This would be the one for the 180/182
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/av/ ... -14982.php

150/152/170/172
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/av/ ... -14981.php

185/205/206/210
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/av/ ... -14983.php

The version for the smaller Vee type struts as used in Cubs, taylorcrafts, Rans, Champs and such is in testing. The design is patented. I should be able to sell direct and answer questions via my website soon as well, but until then Spruce is the place..

Marc

It's a great mount - I love it. It's very solid and easy to attach and take-off. I've been very happy with it.

amacbean wrote:It's a great mount - I love it. It's very solid and easy to attach and take-off. I've been very happy with it.

Hey Allen,

Thank you for the testimonial... I am working really hard to get this all going and ready in time for Christmas and will likely post a product announcement once my website is up...

Thanks again,

Marc

I can't remember when I purchased my mount, but I believe it may have been last spring or early summer. Used it for many trips and it has worked very well for me. VERY EASY to strap on and off the strut. Mine is on a 185. I get a slight bit of vibration at high power settings, but I think most mounts will do this. I recommend this mount. Marc was very helpful and easy to work with.

A better solution IMO is to just go with RAM parts. I use RAM Yoke Clamps. They are under $20 each and one can keep them mounted all around the A/C. They go on with a simple hose clamp so its bomb proof. I wrap the clamp with vinyl tape to keep the sharp ends at bay.

Once mounted, (say on each strut, entry step, tail stinger etc...) get a small and a large RAM arm ($14) so you can articulate the camera on any axis. Best way to get the perfect shot. The other end of the arm goes a ball with a stud which any camera can mount to. This eliminates the use of the GoPro or any stock camera mount which are pretty flimsy (have broken my fair share)

Just like some people save money by using Home Depot or Pep Boys parts inside their airplane's engine compartment, some people will want to use duct tape and zip ties to hillbilly their camera onto their struts.

Having a really high quality product available, that was designed to do this job better, to protect your airplane and your camera... something that will not piss an FAA inspector off, if it's anywhere near affordable and reasonable price for the quality I think it would probably be worth having.

Supporting a small American start-up business, that wants to offer a better product for a really small niche market is also worth considering.

EZFlap wrote:Just like some people save money by using Home Depot or Pep Boys parts inside their airplane's engine compartment, some people will want to use duct tape and zip ties to hillbilly their camera onto their struts.

Having a really high quality product available, that was designed to do this job better, to protect your airplane and your camera... something that will not piss an FAA inspector off, if it's anywhere near affordable and reasonable price for the quality I think it would probably be worth having.

Supporting a small American start-up business, that wants to offer a better product for a really small niche market is also worth considering.

Thank you EZ Flap. Yes people can support a large company with far larger resources, manufacturing quantity discounts and OEM backing like Ram but their mount will not be as specialized nor as versatile as mine. Also I have worked very hard for years to get this mount to where it is now and to be able to offer it to others. I do like and agree about RAM's philosophy to keep its manufacturing in the USA. In an attempt to compete, I could cut costs and have parts made in China, but I don't agree with that philosophy either. I have been very conscious to keep all manufacturing and sourced materials as made in USA and more so manufactured within my local community. There is only one part out of the many parts on my mount that is made elsewhere and its not China. If I could get that single part as a made in USA product I would but sadly its not an option.

Also I am not some large corporation either; I am one person. I am a pilot who has the background, skills and desire to develop a product like this with the knowledge of what a pilot would want. I am also an EAA member and plans holder for a Bearhawk LSA with aspirations to one day build that as well. So as consumers you do have a choice, support the big guy that just so happens to make something pilots can use, or support your niche manufacturer's (myself or others like me) who generally have a passion for back country aviation and will put their profits if any back into the aviation community.

Best regards,

Marc

That's a really nice looking design. I never really thought about using a simple three point mount like that...it looks stable and nice.

Did you find an extruder for it in the States? It's nice to hear about folks keeping manufacturing domestic.

Marc,

I like the fact that it is very low profile. How are the straps tensioned? How long does it take to attach and remove?

Does anyone know if the Cub struts have the same profile as the struts used on the shortwing Pipers? If not, Marc - what would it take to get a version for the shortwing Pipers?