The great folks over at NFlightcam were kind enough to let me try out their cockpit video system, the Nflightcam1080P.  I have to admit, the first time I saw the Nflightcam in the Sporty’s catalog, I was skeptical and assumed it was another example of an otherwise available product marketed specifically to the aviation community, along with a hefty price increase.  I found that this was not the case with the Nflightcam.  

The folks at Nflightcam take a high definition camera made by Contour and add the necessary components and cabling necessary to record cockpit audio along with amazing 1080p video.  The result is a simple and very effective cockpit video system.

Here’s a couple videos I made using the system:

As a student pilot, I wish I had been using the Nflightcam from the very beginning of my training.  I wish I could keep on using it for the remainder of my training too.  The videos produced may not become viral sensations, but they are very helpful in reviewing and evaluating your flights.  There are elements of my flying that I do not always fully appreciate until I see it on video.  The landing sequence always seems to go fast for me, and that’s where I need the most work (you watched the videos, right?).  Reviewing these landings give me the opportunity to pick them apart so I can do a better job in the future.

If I could make one improvement to the Nflightcam system, it would be this: make the audio cable detachable and have the ability to use the original onboard microphone.  This camera is a considerable investment, and to be frugal, I would want to maximize the utility of it.  Even with this demo unit, I’ve been so tempted to mount the camera outside the airplane to capture some of those great perspectives I’ve seen done by others.  With the permanently attached cable I don’t think this camera would work well outside the cockpit (though others have done it).  I understand that you can custom order the Nflightcam with a detachable cable.

All in all, if you have a few hundred bucks to spare, I highly recommend it.  Just one hint: Even after you’ve used the nifty lasers to line up your shot, double check and make sure you’re not recording your video upside down.  If you do, you might need this link.