Instruction manual

135
11.6 Prepare the Aircraft
• Clean the aircraft windows before you leave, and make sure you have
cleaning supplies on board. This is for safety reasons, not photography
purposes, as you should avoid shooting through windows. Windows are
made of Plexiglas and are not flat. With telephoto lenses they often will
cause distortion that makes the images wavy.
• If you will be shooting out the right front window of the aircraft, remove the
window holding screw. Be careful to retain the screw’s bushing or washer
as you remove the screw; place the screw in a secure container (e.g., a
35mm camera plastic film case works great, or use a small zip-lock bag)
and put it where you can find it later (e.g., the aircraft glove compartment
or in the camera bag).
• Enter any waypoints into the GPS before takeoff.
• Set up the Audio Panel and Intercom. Check the operation of the
intercom (all positions) and perform a communications check of the CAP
FM radio from all positions.
• If applicable, turn on the laptop and check for full battery charge and
proper settings.
• If applicable, connect the portable GPS to the camera and check for
proper operation.
• Check the imaging equipment. If you will be shooting video, test the
camcorder and audio connection for proper operation.
Note: A shot of the aircraft ‘N’ number with the camera or camcorder
provides a good “starting photo” for the sortie, particularly if there are
photos on your media card or tape from a previous sortie.
• Arrange your equipment for easy access, but ensure lightweight objects
such as charts and logs are not lying loose where they can be blown
about the cabin when you open a window to take pictures.