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2021 Lockwood Aircam
- January 25, 2023
Lockwood AirCam for Sale — The Twin That Was Born to Fly Low and Slow
The Lockwood AirCam is one of the most visually distinctive and purpose-specific aircraft in the light twin category — a tandem two-seat, push-pull twin-engine design created specifically for the demands of wildlife photography, wildlife census work, and low-altitude aerial survey in remote and demanding environments. The AirCam's design story begins with National Geographic magazine, which commissioned Chris Heintz and Lockwood Aircraft Corporation to create an aircraft that could loiter at very low altitudes over African wildlife, provide exceptional visibility in all directions for the photographers aboard, and operate from unprepared airstrips in terrain that would challenge conventional light aircraft. The result is an aircraft unlike anything else in general aviation.
Design Philosophy
The AirCam's twin Rotax 912 or 914 engines — one mounted in tractor configuration forward, one in pusher configuration aft — provide the twin-engine redundancy critical for operations over remote terrain while keeping the fuselage cross-section minimal for maximum visibility. The high-wing configuration provides unrestricted downward visibility, essential for aerial observation missions. The tandem seating puts both occupants in optimal viewing positions. The aircraft's light weight and high lift produce an extraordinarily slow minimum flying speed — below 40 mph — allowing operators to observe wildlife at walking pace from the air. The AirCam kit is certified in the Experimental Amateur-Built category, and professionally-built factory-finished examples are occasionally available.
Who Operates the AirCam?
Wildlife photographers and documentary filmmakers, ecological researchers conducting aerial surveys, conservation organizations monitoring protected areas, and sport pilots who want the most capable slow-flight platform in the twin-engine kit market. The AirCam's open-cockpit experience — wind, altitude, and the sight of the ground below without glass interference — is unlike any enclosed aircraft and attracts pilots who want the most direct possible connection with the flying environment.
Find Your Lockwood AirCam on Airplane Trade
Browse Lockwood AirCam aircraft for sale on Airplane Trade from verified sellers worldwide. Factory-finished and builder-completed examples available with full build documentation and Rotax engine records. Connect with sellers who share your appreciation for this extraordinary purpose-built aerial observation platform.