The Gyromaster 7 is a
helicopter camera side mount designed to fit the Bell 206A, B and L helicopters. Based on
the Continental Mount, which was originally designed by Bob Nettman in 1970, this new version
has significant improvements which allow you to use longer lenses than any mount like it.
You can use a doubler on your 16mm and 35mm motion picture cameras! Video cameras
work well also, since the design of the handgrips solves the problem associated with other
sidemounts that do not have the exclusive EQUALIZED FORCE HANDGRIPS.
The description of this mount is as follows:
A counter balanced, fully gimbaled arm is attached to the top of a vibration isolated frame arrangement,
which is also connected to an isolated seat for the operator. The operator, when seated on the mount, is
looking out either rear side door of the helicopter. This arrangement places the camera in front of the
operator in a weightless, and fully orientable manner. By grasping the handgrips, the operator steers the
camera to the desired view. Viewfinding is done via a high resolution monitor located beside the camera.
Camera or Vtr run/stop is at the top of the handgrips. Zoom and focus controls are conveniently located
near the operator's thumbs. When filming or taping at longer focal lengths a separate focus system,
operated by an assistant, is recommended.
Ranges of view are as follows:
Range of pan is over 100 degrees. With the helicopter in forward flight, you cannot steer the camera to look
straight ahead. If the pilot will fly with the nose of the aircraft pointed to the left, then a nearly straight ahead
view is possible, for a short distance. Range of tilt is over 120 degrees. With the helicopter in level flight the
downward view is to about 80 degrees (almost straight down). With the aircraft in a banking turn, the view
will easily be straight down. Horizon can be rolled to plus or minus 90 degrees.
Other technical points:
Maximum camera package weight is 45 lbs. Maximum usable focal lengths are 400mm for 35mmcameras,
200mm for 2/3 inch and 16mm cameras, 100mm for 1/2 inch and 8mm cameras.
Why this mount works so well:
The operator, when seated on the mount, adds to the mass which is isolated from the helicopter. That mass
includes the weight of the operator, the camera package, the arm and the counter-balancing ballast. This
primary stabilizing advantage works because a basic rule of physics states that the heavier an object is, the
harder it is to move. These combined masses resist unwanted movements which are created during the
helicopters' flight. Secondly, since the operator is isolated from the helicopter, and seated on the same frame
that supports the camera, there is minimal differentiated motion between the operator and the camera.
Therefore, less unwanted motion can be passed on to the camera by the operator when grasping the
handgrips to aim it. Thirdly, the patent pending EQUALIZED FORCE HANDGRIPS do not create an off center
leverage disadvantage. the handgrips are located in line with the tilt pivot point, and are equidistant from the
pan pivot point. This increases the amount of leverage that is required to actuate the tilt axis, thus reducing
unwanted motion. Since most of the camera aiming activity is in the pan axis, the handgrips allow for higher
leverage there. A fourth advantage is that all viewfinding is through a high resolution video monitor. With this
system, eyepiece contact does not create another pathway for unwanted motion to transfer through the
eyepiece to the camera. Also, it is much easier to perform deep pans and tilts this way, because the operator's
eye does not have to stay with the camera.
