Apparatus and Method for Monitoring Performance Characteristics of a Component of a Vehicle

An apparatus for monitoring at least one performance characteristic of a component of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

• a tripod comprising an aerodynamic surface, said tripod further comprising:
• a first leg directed toward a forward end of said vehicle;
• a second leg directed toward an aft end of the vehicle;
• and
• a third leg directed toward said aft end of said vehicle,
• wherein each of said first leg, said second leg and said third leg are disposed at a non-zero sweep angle with respect to a plane normal to a streamline direction,
• wherein said third leg is offset with respect to said second leg, and
• wherein said second leg and said third leg are disposed at a non-zero splay angle with respect to one another.

A method for monitoring at least one performance characteristic of a wing assembly of an aircraft, said method comprising:

• connecting a tripod to an exterior surface of said aircraft, said tripod comprising a plurality of airfoils defining an aerodynamic surface of said tripod;
• positioning a camera on said tripod at a predetermined viewing angle directed toward said wing assembly;
• connecting a camera fairing to said tripod surrounding said camera, said camera fairing comprising a sidewall defining an aerodynamic surface of said camera fairing, an aperture disposed through said sidewall and aligned with said camera and a plurality of protrusions positioned proximate said aperture;
• and
• recording said at least one performance characteristic of said wing assembly during flight.