Action cameras have come a long way, but battery life still hasn’t caught up, especially when they’re mounted outside an aircraft. Cold temperatures and wind exposure zap power quickly. While some owners have gotten creative with power solutions—like tapping into beacon or nav light circuits—that’s not always practical or legal. Keeping an exterior camera reliably powered remains a real challenge. I know this firsthand. I can’t count how many times I’ve looked forward to rewatching one of my best landings into a scenic airport only to realize my camera had cut to black just before touchdown.
After being acquired by MyGoFlight in 2023, Flight Flix debuted a turbine-powered USB-C charger in April 2025 for $479. It’s pricey, but it solves the problem of losing action cam power when you want it the most. I’ve been flying with the gadget for a couple of months and here’s a report.
What Is the Flight Flix Airfoil Generator?
The Airfoil Generator is essentially a tiny windmill. It mounts either directly to a camera or to an exterior mount (available from a number of vendors) and connects to the camera via a USB-C cable.
Out of the box, you’ll find two turbine options depending on your typical cruise speeds. The small, fast-speed turbine is rated to start generating power at 90 knots, with a maximum speed of 200 knots. The large, slow-speed version starts at 70 knots and tops out at 140 knots. Exceeding those limits risks damaging the unit.
The device is compact—slightly under 3 inches long (including the turbine) and 0.75 inches wide. I couldn’t find an official weight listed, so I put it on my kitchen scale: 2 ounces for the generator alone, and 9.1 ounces fully mounted with a GoPro.
I tested the Airfoil Generator on my Cessna 310, using a GoPro Hero 10 mounted externally on the belly. With my mechanic’s sign-off via a minor modification, I installed the generator using the Rock Steady Slim GoPro Surface Mount on an inspection plate.
I didn’t order the $19 Slim Mount Adapter, which meant a last-minute trip to Lowe’s for a ¼-inch threaded stud. It wasn’t a big deal, but for the small cost, it would’ve saved some hassle. In my opinion, the adapter should be included in the box.
Before flying, I mounted the setup on the roof rack of my car for baseline testing and hit the road with my wife to see what we could learn. FlightFlix was upfront with me: the Airfoil Generator does not provide continuous power while recording. Instead, it recharges the battery when recording is off. This limitation comes from the camera side, not the generator, so it’s something users need to understand.
I tried everything I could to get around it, but the company was right. Once recording was turned off, the charge rates were about what you’d expect from plugging the camera into a wall outlet. I’ll admit, quantifying those charge rates isn’t my strong suit, but it worked well enough to confirm the device’s core functionality.
I also wanted to find the lowest speed that would generate a charge. Using only the fast-speed turbine, I reliably saw charging begin at 70 mph (roughly 61 knots), well below the company’s advertised 90 knots.
Flight testing on my Cessna 310 confirmed what I saw on the ground. Just make sure the charging cable is routed well clear of the turbine blades. I wrapped mine around the back of the mount and plugged it into the GoPro, then used the app to control recording. That way, I could stop the recording in cruise to let the battery recharge, then resume filming for descent and landing. In cruise, the generator’s output was solid and the unit performed as advertised.
Online chatter often raises concerns about drag. The device is compact, aerodynamic, and light. Sure, attaching any external component introduces some drag, but after several hours of testing, my speed and fuel burn profiles remained right on the numbers. Frankly, if your flight controls aren’t in perfect rig, they’re likely causing more drag than this unit. At one point, I even forgot the setup was installed and flew across the country with it still mounted.
Legality is a bigger concern. The FAA addressed this in a March 13, 2014 memo titled Request for Clarification: External Camera Mounts. It’s worth reading—it’s only two pages—but like most things FAA-related, it leaves more gray area than clarity.
The best guidance comes from AC 43-210A, which includes a flow chart to help determine whether adding a camera mount is a major or minor modification. Generally speaking, if a mount and camera don’t appreciably affect weight, balance, structural strength, reliability, or flight characteristics, it qualifies as a minor modification. That means working with your mechanic to get a logbook signoff for the installation.
A few suggestions: If it takes a tool to attach the mount, it likely needs a signoff. And as with anything in aviation, redundancy matters. Choose a mount that secures at least two points to eliminate the risk of a single-point failure.
This should go without saying, but don’t let cameras distract you from flying the airplane. If you’re solo, set it and forget it. If you have a passenger, let them manage the app. The flight deck already demands your full attention, and more tech only adds more distraction. Camera ops should never come at the expense of safety.
Real-World Practical Use
For flight instructors, the ability to record external footage adds value during debriefs, especially for visual learners. Some pilots enjoy creating videos for passengers or capturing personal milestones, like landing on the dot at Oshkosh. I use it primarily for B-roll or to document mountain flying into challenging airports like Telluride or Jackson Hole. The options really are endless.
One advantage I’ve found is the flexibility in camera placement. Rather than wiring power to a single point, the camera and generator can be moved between locations (with your mechanic’s approval) in just minutes. That adds a creative layer to what you can capture.
Should You Buy It?
The biggest drawback is price. At $479, the Airfoil Generator isn’t cheap. If it could charge while recording, I’d recommend it without hesitation to anyone using exterior cameras.
I spoke with FlightFlix about this limitation, and we agreed that GoPros powered by USB—either from a panel port or battery pack—don’t charge the internal battery while recording, but they do draw from the external source, which prevents battery depletion. The company seemed open to investigating whether the Airfoil Generator could mimic that behavior, and I’m excited to see whether it leads to a potential version 2.0.
If successful, the generator would provide primary power above the minimum airspeed threshold, with the battery supplying power below it. You’d still need to stop recording to recharge the battery itself, but cruise recording would become much more practical. If they can make that work, it would be a major step forward.
At $479, it’s a hefty price tag. But Flight Flix’s ability to provide off-grid power to an external camera without tapping into the aircraft’s electrical system or relying on lithium packs is both unique and safer than many DIY setups. The real takeaway is that there’s nothing else on the market that fills this gap.
If a version 2.0 adds simultaneous power and recording, it would be a slam-dunk product for any pilot filming from outside the cockpit. Until then, it remains a clever, purpose-built solution that fits the mission of longer flights like mine. The ability to recharge in cruise and resume filming for descent works for me, and I’m happy to keep using it—even with the limitations
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