Jonathan Ames
August 27th, 2006, 02:39 PM
No one can argue that the aerial shot is the most appealing shot a production can have but some of the e-mails I've received recently have caused me to 1) schedule a show dedicated to aerial cinematography and 2) write this posting.
I've read alot of postings over the past few days in boards all over the net that talk about attaching cameras to aircraft with bungees and wires and platforms and all sorts of other apparatuses. I've even seen postings where people advise you to bring your own harness "like the one hill climbers use" in order to "feel safe". To these and other posting I have to say, "Are you insane?!?!"
There's a line I think everyone draws or needs to when it comes to "getting the shot" and no where is this ore important than in the aerial shot. You see, there's alot more to it than just throwing a camera in a helicopter or airplane and going for the shot. And there's a reason for that. While most of us who do alot of production have all seen it done in a pinch to some degree or another, the external mounting of cameras on aircraft has serious ramifications unless it's done professionally and within Air Worthiness guidelines. As a pilot with more than 13,000 hours as PIC (Pilot in Command), I wanted to make you aware of the fact that, not only is it illegal, it's downright dangerous to mount a camera on an aircraft...and it's alot easier to get caught these days with citizens always on the lookout for things that look "terrorist" in nature.
I guess the first concern for most of you is, "Is the cameraman in jeopardy?" And the answer is, simply stated, "Only if something goes wrong and someone is injured or otherwise subjects the camera operator to a civil law suit. Or if your 'equipment' fails and you die by falling out of the aircraft."
As far as the pilot is concerned though, it's a different story as the regs are exceedingly clear when it comes to operating an "unsafe aircraft". FAR (Federal Aviation Regulations) Part 91.3(a) covers all aspects of operating an aircraft including pre-flight planning, the airworthiness of the aircraft, safe operation of the aircraft and compliance with all regulations applicable to the particular flight operations, to name a few. All of these things come into play with the addition of a mechanism like a camera and mount to the exterior of an aircraft as do others so a violation of this one subsection pretty much guarantees the yanking of a pilot's certificate if he or she is caught.
While the FAA is certainly concerned with the pilot's safety and that of the passengers, it's the people on the ground that are of principle concern to the authority. During flight, so many things can go wrong from the most simplistic issue of the camera and mount falling off to the most serious which are problems associated with the "weight and balance" of an aircraft. Aircraft are subject to forces that keep the aircraft moving in balanced flight. Each of these is constantly shifting as various forces not the least of which, air flow, exerts force on an aircraft. An empty aircraft has a balancing point if you will in front of and behind which only a certain amount of weight can be placed. Exceeding these limitations and not only does the aircraft become more difficult to handle in normal situations, it becomes just one more thing the pilot has to deal with in the event of a problem. And an aircraft that's out of balance on the ground can turn a "problem" that develops in the air into an "emergency situation" real fast.
I'm not here to pass judgment on anyone but I have to tell you that in the eyes of the law and, quite frankly, in the eyes of the general public, pilots are held to a much higher standard than the average citizen. More is expected of us if for no other reason than the decisions we make routinely involve the lives of many, many more people than the average citizen. We're expected to make the right decision all the time with no room for exception and that's a pressure I take and every pilot I know takes very seriously. With that said, personally, I wouldn't go anywhere near a pilot who would even think of strapping something to his or her (or more likely a rented) aircraft and saying, "OK, jump in!" It's simply too dangerous...for the pilot, the cameraman and public. So the bottom line is that while you can always argue that there are already too many rules and regulations that make filming difficult, this is one you just don't mess with.
And there's one more aspect to the subject. if you think you're poor now, just wait until the lawyers and FAA get through with you in the event of an incident...and I don't mean crash. I mean something as simple as someone looking up, seeing someone hanging out of an airplane or helicopter that's close to the ground, noting the tail numbers and calling it in. Believe me. Faster than you can say "Osama", there'll be a host of local and federal authorities at the pilot's home airport waiting for you to land. And if they miss you there, you can bet that within minutes, they'll be knocking at the pilot's home door. How do they know where you live? Simple. Any of the pilots out there know and will tell you that no one and nothing is more closely tracked that aircraft and their owners. Flying an aircraft is a privilege with a capital "P" and if you don't know that, then you're not a pilot. My medical is done every 6 months because of the ratings I carry and things they allow me to do but even with the simplest recreational Class 3 pilots it's done every 1 or 3 years. And not only are pilots checked, their aircraft's airworthiness is certified by an certified aircraft mechanic every 12 months. In short, you're more likely to get away with just about anything than you are to get away with breaking the rules and regulations of the FAA. http://www.usua.org/Rules/ruleandregs.htm is a great resource of basic aviation questions.
So the next time you're thinking about going up, what do you do? Simple. First, there's stock footage. The HD air footage libraries are growing. Granted, they're nothing compared to SD and SD libraries are limited at best and expensive but footage is available out there. Next, rent an outfitted helo with pilot, sit in the back and direct the shots you need. LA411 at http://www.cinematography.net/Pages%20GB/%5Bcml-pro%5D%20filming%20in%20helicopter.htm
is a great resource for aerial facilities in the Los Angeles area and there are others in most metropolitan cities across the country. Finally, we're in the middle of working a deal with 2 LA-based and 1 New Jersey/New York-based outfit to provide for your aerial shot needs at a substantially reduced price. Until then, there are 2 safe ways and one unsafe way. Which one is best for you is up to you. But as I said, each time you go up with a pilot, you're betting your life that he or she will get you back home to your wife and children safely. Isn't it odd that you'd put your full faith and trust in a person whose first decision is to knowingly break the law by taking you up in an aircraft that isn't legal? So look for the certification that the ship you're going up in is safe and legally outfitted with a permanent system. Or, look for an operator that uses a mobile platform with seating and harasses that are appropriate and legal...not that a "hill-climber's harness" isn't a good idea too, as long as you're climbing hills.
The bottom line is aerial shots are expensive and good aerial shots are even more expensive. But then what's the price of your life and a good film?
I've read alot of postings over the past few days in boards all over the net that talk about attaching cameras to aircraft with bungees and wires and platforms and all sorts of other apparatuses. I've even seen postings where people advise you to bring your own harness "like the one hill climbers use" in order to "feel safe". To these and other posting I have to say, "Are you insane?!?!"
There's a line I think everyone draws or needs to when it comes to "getting the shot" and no where is this ore important than in the aerial shot. You see, there's alot more to it than just throwing a camera in a helicopter or airplane and going for the shot. And there's a reason for that. While most of us who do alot of production have all seen it done in a pinch to some degree or another, the external mounting of cameras on aircraft has serious ramifications unless it's done professionally and within Air Worthiness guidelines. As a pilot with more than 13,000 hours as PIC (Pilot in Command), I wanted to make you aware of the fact that, not only is it illegal, it's downright dangerous to mount a camera on an aircraft...and it's alot easier to get caught these days with citizens always on the lookout for things that look "terrorist" in nature.
I guess the first concern for most of you is, "Is the cameraman in jeopardy?" And the answer is, simply stated, "Only if something goes wrong and someone is injured or otherwise subjects the camera operator to a civil law suit. Or if your 'equipment' fails and you die by falling out of the aircraft."
As far as the pilot is concerned though, it's a different story as the regs are exceedingly clear when it comes to operating an "unsafe aircraft". FAR (Federal Aviation Regulations) Part 91.3(a) covers all aspects of operating an aircraft including pre-flight planning, the airworthiness of the aircraft, safe operation of the aircraft and compliance with all regulations applicable to the particular flight operations, to name a few. All of these things come into play with the addition of a mechanism like a camera and mount to the exterior of an aircraft as do others so a violation of this one subsection pretty much guarantees the yanking of a pilot's certificate if he or she is caught.
While the FAA is certainly concerned with the pilot's safety and that of the passengers, it's the people on the ground that are of principle concern to the authority. During flight, so many things can go wrong from the most simplistic issue of the camera and mount falling off to the most serious which are problems associated with the "weight and balance" of an aircraft. Aircraft are subject to forces that keep the aircraft moving in balanced flight. Each of these is constantly shifting as various forces not the least of which, air flow, exerts force on an aircraft. An empty aircraft has a balancing point if you will in front of and behind which only a certain amount of weight can be placed. Exceeding these limitations and not only does the aircraft become more difficult to handle in normal situations, it becomes just one more thing the pilot has to deal with in the event of a problem. And an aircraft that's out of balance on the ground can turn a "problem" that develops in the air into an "emergency situation" real fast.
I'm not here to pass judgment on anyone but I have to tell you that in the eyes of the law and, quite frankly, in the eyes of the general public, pilots are held to a much higher standard than the average citizen. More is expected of us if for no other reason than the decisions we make routinely involve the lives of many, many more people than the average citizen. We're expected to make the right decision all the time with no room for exception and that's a pressure I take and every pilot I know takes very seriously. With that said, personally, I wouldn't go anywhere near a pilot who would even think of strapping something to his or her (or more likely a rented) aircraft and saying, "OK, jump in!" It's simply too dangerous...for the pilot, the cameraman and public. So the bottom line is that while you can always argue that there are already too many rules and regulations that make filming difficult, this is one you just don't mess with.
And there's one more aspect to the subject. if you think you're poor now, just wait until the lawyers and FAA get through with you in the event of an incident...and I don't mean crash. I mean something as simple as someone looking up, seeing someone hanging out of an airplane or helicopter that's close to the ground, noting the tail numbers and calling it in. Believe me. Faster than you can say "Osama", there'll be a host of local and federal authorities at the pilot's home airport waiting for you to land. And if they miss you there, you can bet that within minutes, they'll be knocking at the pilot's home door. How do they know where you live? Simple. Any of the pilots out there know and will tell you that no one and nothing is more closely tracked that aircraft and their owners. Flying an aircraft is a privilege with a capital "P" and if you don't know that, then you're not a pilot. My medical is done every 6 months because of the ratings I carry and things they allow me to do but even with the simplest recreational Class 3 pilots it's done every 1 or 3 years. And not only are pilots checked, their aircraft's airworthiness is certified by an certified aircraft mechanic every 12 months. In short, you're more likely to get away with just about anything than you are to get away with breaking the rules and regulations of the FAA. http://www.usua.org/Rules/ruleandregs.htm is a great resource of basic aviation questions.
So the next time you're thinking about going up, what do you do? Simple. First, there's stock footage. The HD air footage libraries are growing. Granted, they're nothing compared to SD and SD libraries are limited at best and expensive but footage is available out there. Next, rent an outfitted helo with pilot, sit in the back and direct the shots you need. LA411 at http://www.cinematography.net/Pages%20GB/%5Bcml-pro%5D%20filming%20in%20helicopter.htm
is a great resource for aerial facilities in the Los Angeles area and there are others in most metropolitan cities across the country. Finally, we're in the middle of working a deal with 2 LA-based and 1 New Jersey/New York-based outfit to provide for your aerial shot needs at a substantially reduced price. Until then, there are 2 safe ways and one unsafe way. Which one is best for you is up to you. But as I said, each time you go up with a pilot, you're betting your life that he or she will get you back home to your wife and children safely. Isn't it odd that you'd put your full faith and trust in a person whose first decision is to knowingly break the law by taking you up in an aircraft that isn't legal? So look for the certification that the ship you're going up in is safe and legally outfitted with a permanent system. Or, look for an operator that uses a mobile platform with seating and harasses that are appropriate and legal...not that a "hill-climber's harness" isn't a good idea too, as long as you're climbing hills.
The bottom line is aerial shots are expensive and good aerial shots are even more expensive. But then what's the price of your life and a good film?