Andrew Boch Posted January 27, 2007 Report Share Posted January 27, 2007 Hi, colleagues asking about possible helicopter shooting: -- it is possible for me at all to do it just with Smooth Shooter (or maybe Flyer if i will be fortunate to upgrade)? -- what is the basic tips for operating from helicopter? -- what is first personal security recommendations? -- what is approximate rate for renting heli for shooting? -- I heard that Gyros will help to shoot in such conditions. Is it absolutely necessary or is it optional thing? from my side i said that first i have to learn to operate steady at the land and after they can ask me to fly, but still what is the rough basics of helicopter shooting? thank you in advance for any input Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jeff Muhlstock SOC Posted January 27, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 27, 2007 Hi,from my side i said that first i have to learn to operate steady at the land and after they can ask me to fly, but still what is the rough basics of helicopter shooting? thank you in advance for any input Andrew Andrew, Search the forum and you will find a very strong opinion on this, NEVER DO IT, WRONG TOOL FOR THE JOB, VERY DANGEROUS. Around 17 years ago, I had a near crash shooting over the Gulf of Mexico with a Tyler mount out the door. I have'nt been back in a Helicopter since and never will again. I was very lucky, many camera operators shooting from helicopters have not been as lucky. Stay on the ground, or close to it. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Boch Posted January 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2007 I was searching and did not find much. That is why I wrote here. But... Jeff, thank you for the warning and pushing me to search again. Somehow i found many topics now and going to read it right now. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Boch Posted January 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2007 ok... i got the point... i just will not do it! some straight quotations from the advanced ops for the benefit of others on this thread: Jerry Holway: "Absolutely stay out of any helicopter with a Steadicam. There are better performing and much-safer-for-everyone tools, FAA certified systems, etc. Steadicam is a really bad and less than safe choice. Just say no." Job Scholtze: "I have been in a ( vietnam style ) helicopter with a rig on. Mainly to be transported to the top of a mountain. i tryd to shoot during that trip. I got zero results. To much wind. My trip was only 5 minuts, but already my blood left my legs. Also hardmounted wont help, its just not the tool for it." Eric Fletcher: "...it's not the correct tool for the job and it's a bad idea to do it." Daniel Stilling: "Normal flying is very safe. Flying for a shoot is some of the most dangerous things you can do..." Garrett Brown: "I have lost six friends in six separate film-related helicopter crashes: two hit wires, two ran out of fuel (!), one main shaft frozen, etc. I won't go up in them any more." :unsure: thank you, Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Steve Fracol SOC Posted January 28, 2007 Premium Members Report Share Posted January 28, 2007 Andrew, I am also glad you get the point. I also lost a frined last year in a Jet Ranger crash due to hitting power lines. Very sad. Leave flying shots like that to the pros that have exactlly the right stuff to do it. The Wescam, Spacecam and several others as well as the RC versions. Stick with operating Steadicam from the ground. Best, Steven Fracol, SOC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Boch Posted January 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2007 Thank you Steven! Also today we got calculations of charges for helicopter rent in India and fortunately we found it too expensive for our small project. Andrew "staying on the ground" Boch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Williams Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Andrew Now you are safely on the ground! I'll bet all these crashing stories made you glad you don't run a Wescam etc. for a living. It's not quite clear to me how the mount will make helicopters any safer. I'd say any time you are over water, or close to the ground, esp. moving fast there is the potential for trouble. I also lost friends years ago when a "hot" pilot running at high speed just off the ground didnt quite raise the legs enough to clear a small burm. In that case no one was taking pictures. I commuted to college with an ex. military helicopter maintenance technician. He had a lot of stories of mechanical failure and stupid maintenance errors on complex machinery. One day as we were cruising to school in his car. He suddenly swerved across two lanes. I'm goin "whoaaa whats goin on"... an he points up to a traffic chopper fm the local tv station an says: "You didn't think I was gonna drive right under it did ya?" Fly safe TJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Boch Posted January 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 Sure, TJ, God is so mercifull to me that I do not have any heli mount :rolleyes: thank you for the story you share, Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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