Michael Daley

I'm in the process of learning to fly myself so I know all about LTE. Like any aerial photographer I have my fair share of horror stories in choppers. But just as many out of a helicopter. The biggest mistake that is made in aerial work is rushing the job in the hope of limiting the bill for flight time. A 5 minute flight over the area at 500 feet will do wonders. The other is "trust your gut". If you don't feel uncomfortable DON'T FLY. I have 4 pilots that I fly with and that is it. I know them and they know me. I know the aircraft we fly, both their limits and their history. That is the only way to do it as far as I'm concerned. As I said before aerial work is what I do. I have never owned a steadicam and never used one as I agree that wescam is the only way to go. I was simply asking a simple question about the steadicam unit.

Have told the client that from day one. But as they have the chopper all ready set up they are fighting all the way.

This system is not connected to a vest. It is connected to the helicopter. I will have to get some pics of the setup.

Have a question in regard to a Steadicam we are using on a helicopter. I've filmed nearly 300 hours out of helicopters but a client has made available a hughes 500 with a single arm steadycam for smaller cams (Z1 etc). With the way that it is mounted it has to be out the door to operate. (yes in 90 knot winds :blink: ) The unit has had the centre post trimmed just under the Bearing ring and 3 gyros have been fitted to the base of the centre post. Did a test flight with it and seems to me that we were fighting to keep the unit level and the footage looked like it hade been shot from a boat. A rolloing feel to it. I realise that to you guys this may be a stupid question but I just have to ask. Would making the bearing ring tighter help and is this even possible?