A GoPro airplane mount can capture flight training, cockpit activity, and views of the aircraft that a handheld camera would miss. The right choice depends on where the camera will sit. A suction mount inside a Cessna cockpit serves a very different purpose from a clamp attached to a wing strut or tie-down ring, and exterior installations introduce airworthiness questions that car and motorcycle mounts do not.
We compared five complete GoPro airplane mounting solutions: two for cockpit use and three designed for specialized exterior positions. This guide explains how each attaches, the view it suits, and its limitations. For more about camera hardware and adapters outside aviation, see our heavy-duty GoPro mounts guide.
Best GoPro Airplane Mounts: Comparison Table
Start with the intended camera position. The first two options are for suitable interior surfaces; the remaining three use purpose-built mechanical attachments outside the aircraft.
| Mount | Best For | Attachment | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| MyPilotPro Spider | Compact cockpit placement | Three suction cups | Interior |
| GoPro Suction Cup | Multipurpose camera mounting | Locking suction cup | Interior |
| MyPilotPro Airplane Mount | Fixed exterior perspectives | Tie-down ring clamp | Exterior |
| MyPilotPro Swivel | Adjustable tie-down views | Tie-down clamp and swivel | Exterior |
| NFlightCam Strut Clamp | Compatible high-wing aircraft | Clamp and strap | Exterior |
Best GoPro Mounts for Inside an Airplane
For many pilots, an interior camera is the sensible place to begin. It can capture the panel, the pilot, and the view through the windshield, while remaining accessible on the ground. Aircraft windows are often acrylic rather than automotive glass, and their curvature and surface condition can affect suction performance. Check the surface requirements before attaching a mount, and keep cameras away from flight controls, instruments, and sight lines.
1. MyPilotPro Spider: Best Compact Cockpit Mount
The MyPilotPro Spider uses three individual suction cups on a compact base. Their spacing helps the mount accommodate some of the curved windshield surfaces found in light aircraft, where a single wide cup may struggle to make full contact. The camera sits close to the window, reducing how far the mounting hardware projects into the cockpit.
The current manufacturer model stands about 1.75 inches tall. Its fixed GoPro-style attachment keeps the assembly compact, but also limits camera-angle adjustment. Placement matters: the surface must point the camera close to your intended view of the instruments, cabin, or runway. This is especially useful in a small cockpit where a longer arm would get in the way.
The Amazon listing describes an earlier milled-aluminum version, while MyPilotPro now describes a glass-filled nylon design. The essential three-cup mounting concept remains, but construction and included hardware should be checked against the exact version offered.
Best for: A low-profile cockpit camera on a suitable flat or curved interior window.
Limitation: Limited articulation compared with a ball-and-socket or swivel mount.
2. GoPro Official Suction Cup: Best General-Purpose Option
GoPro’s official suction cup mount is a versatile choice for someone who also records in cars, boats, or other supported environments. It combines a locking suction base with adjustable arms and a quick-release camera connection. Compared with the smaller Spider cups, its single larger contact area needs more uninterrupted, suitably smooth surface space.
GoPro states that this accessory has been tested at speeds exceeding 150 mph in its intended applications. That is a manufacturer performance claim, not permission to use it on the outside of an airplane. In aviation we would consider it only for a suitable interior location, with particular attention to the window material and the mount’s clearance.
The adjustable arms give it more framing flexibility than the fixed Spider. It can be a practical choice for filming the forward view or part of the instrument panel, provided the assembly doesn’t interfere with the pilot. For automotive uses, see our GoPro dashboard and windshield mount guide.
Best for: GoPro owners seeking one mount for several compatible interior and vehicle applications.
Limitation: A larger suction footprint; use inside the airplane only.
Best Exterior GoPro Airplane Mounts
Exterior camera positions can reveal the wing, landing gear, fuselage, and terrain without shooting through a window. The products below use mechanical attachments designed for aviation rather than automotive suction cups or adhesive pads. The choice between a tie-down clamp and a strut clamp depends on the aircraft’s actual mounting points and the view you want.
3. MyPilotPro Airplane Mount: Best Fixed Tie-Down Ring Option
The original MyPilotPro Airplane Mount is built around an aircraft tie-down ring. Its mechanical clamp positions a GoPro at the ring without relying on windshield suction or adhesive. On a suitable aircraft, that can create a fixed view along the fuselage or wing, or capture the surrounding scenery from a position outside the cabin.
The design uses a cam lever, neoprene contact pads, and securing hardware, including a cotter pin. MyPilotPro’s present-day version uses glass-filled nylon with stainless steel components, while the Amazon product description identifies an aluminum version. The mounting location and ring orientation determine the camera’s perspective, so check whether a fixed bracket can frame the shot you want.
This is the simpler of the two MyPilotPro tie-down choices. It has fewer adjustable connections, which can be attractive when the available attachment point already gives you the camera angle you need. It is less helpful when the ring points the camera away from your subject.
Best for: A fixed camera view from suitable tie-down hardware.
Limitation: Less freedom to adjust the camera direction after attaching the clamp.
4. MyPilotPro Swivel: Best Adjustable Tie-Down Mount
The MyPilotPro Swivel combines the company’s tie-down attachment with a RAM Mount camera arm. That additional articulation is useful when the tie-down ring is angled away from the desired subject. It gives more control over framing the wing, landing gear, horizon, or another part of the aircraft.
MyPilotPro confirms that its current Swivel incorporates genuine RAM components, a cam-lever clamp, stainless steel hardware, and neoprene pads. The manufacturer lists the current version at approximately 5.5 inches tall. Earlier retail versions may differ in construction, so use the exact components displayed in the listing when deciding what you’re buying.
The Swivel is more versatile than the fixed model, but the camera arm also creates a larger assembly with additional connections. Its benefit is framing control, not automatic superiority in every mounting position. When the tie-down already produces the right view, the shorter fixed design may be preferable.
Best for: Exterior tie-down positions needing a custom camera angle.
Limitation: Taller assembly with more adjustable joints than the fixed tie-down mount.
5. NFlightCam Strut Clamp: Best for High-Wing Aircraft
The NFlightCam Strut Clamp is designed for airplanes with a suitable external wing strut. Its kit combines a metal clamp, heavy-duty UV-resistant polyurethane strap, and an exterior ball-head camera mount. Different strap lengths are available for aircraft ranging from smaller high-wing models to larger airplanes, making fit and strap selection important parts of choosing the product.
The current manufacturer specifications list 18-8 stainless steel and 6061-T6 aluminum construction, a GoPro-style three-finger or 1/4-20 camera attachment, and a maximum demonstrated speed of 250 mph. That speed is a manufacturer test figure for the mounting system, rather than a standalone operating limit or approval for a particular airframe.
Strut mounting can produce compelling views of the aircraft in flight while keeping the horizon in the frame. It also avoids the restrictions of a tie-down ring’s orientation. Its limitation is aircraft fit: the clamp and strap must match an appropriate strut, and some airplanes have no strut suitable for this mounting method. The complete kit includes the ball-head mount, strap, clamp, and hex key.
Best for: Compatible high-wing airplanes with a suitable wing strut.
Limitation: Requires the right strut geometry and strap length; unsuitable for aircraft without an appropriate mounting location.
How to Choose the Right Airplane Camera Mount
Decide What You Want to Record
For flight training, the cockpit is often the most useful location because you can include the instruments, controls, and forward view. A windshield mount near a corner may frame the panel without dominating the cabin. If the goal is a cinematic view of the airplane against the horizon, the relevant choices are exterior mounts matched to approved aircraft attachment points.
Compare Fixed and Adjustable Hardware
A fixed GoPro connector keeps the camera close to the mounting base and reduces the number of joints. Adjustable arms and ball heads help when the mounting surface faces the wrong way, but add height and connections. Vibration, camera weight, and extension length all affect the recorded image. Camera stabilization helps with footage but cannot compensate for insecure mounting hardware.
Check Camera and Product Versions
Most GoPro mounts use the familiar three-finger camera connection. Some specialized mounts also accommodate 1/4-20 threaded cameras or adapters. Check the complete connection, housing clearance, and included hardware for the camera you plan to use. Products sold under longstanding model names may have changed materials or construction over time; the manufacturer’s latest specifications and an older Amazon listing may describe different revisions.
For mounts used in other settings, our GoPro mounts by activity guide covers motorcycles, vehicles, and more.
FAA Considerations for Exterior Camera Mounts
The FAA addressed the issue in Flying Photobombs: Pilots and the Selfie Generation, published in the May/June 2016 issue of FAA Safety Briefing. The article explains how attachment methods affect the approval process. It discusses minor alterations and logbook entries for certain strap-on or screw-mounted equipment, while more permanent or system-connected alterations may require a different approval process.
That FAA article is useful background, not a substitute for present-day regulatory requirements or the judgment of the qualified personnel responsible for an individual aircraft. A manufacturer’s advertised speed test is not an aircraft-specific installation approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best GoPro mount for a Cessna 172?
For interior recording, the MyPilotPro Spider provides a compact option for a suitable cockpit window. For exterior views, a purpose-built strut clamp or tie-down mount may suit some aircraft configurations. The specific mounting hardware and aircraft determine which approach is appropriate.
Can I attach a GoPro to the outside of an airplane?
Specialized clamps and mechanical mounts exist for exterior use. The installation must satisfy the applicable aircraft safety, maintenance, and approval requirements explained above.
Will a GoPro suction cup work on an airplane windshield?
It can attach to some smooth interior surfaces, subject to the mount and window manufacturer’s limitations. Window material, cleanliness, curvature, and location matter. Keep the camera inside the cockpit and clear of flight controls and required visibility.
Can a GoPro be mounted to a wing strut?
NFlightCam makes a dedicated clamp-and-strap kit for suitable struts. An appropriate fit depends on the strut’s shape and dimensions, the camera configuration, and the aircraft installation requirements.
Do these mounts fit action cameras other than GoPro?
Many use GoPro-style connectors, and some accept 1/4-20 camera threads. Check the complete adapter setup and the camera’s weight and clearance rather than relying on a general compatibility claim.
Which GoPro Airplane Mount Should You Choose?
For cockpit recording, the MyPilotPro Spider is our preferred compact aviation-specific option, while the official GoPro Suction Cup offers more general-purpose versatility and adjustable positioning. Both belong on suitable interior surfaces only.
For exterior footage, a MyPilotPro fixed or swivel tie-down mount serves a different attachment point from the NFlightCam Strut Clamp. Choose based on the aircraft’s mounting arrangement and the view you want, with the appropriate aviation review completed before installation. A secure, correctly positioned camera will produce better results than an elaborate mounting setup in the wrong place.
