Heli Shooting with Scarlet

[Michael Brennan]

Mike, not sure what point this post has? Your commenting on something you know little about beyond statistics.

I'll beg to disagree that I know little about what I'm commenting on and please correct any innacuracies in my post.


The point of the post is
Dont jump in the nearest and cheapest fixed wing or heli with a non professional pilot , even if he is experienced and a nice guy.
There are numerous more capable aircraft and helicopters for aerial filming based at this airfield.

What happened was bad luck, maybe pilot error for thinking the conditions we safe to do what the camera man wanted and put him too low.

It wasnt bad luck that put the camerman in the passenger seat, it was poor planning.
If you want to have a rip snorting time as a thrill seeker cameraman then fine, but unlike a thrill seeking hobby that you do occasionally, regularly taking avoidable risks professionally is not something to encourage or condone.

Employing a professional pilot/driver/hunter/captain is a good start to reduce risk, because professionals are current in their craft and their competency is qualified and regulated and their plane/vehicle/boat ect has to be maintained to a commercial standard. They are not immune but are less likley to do silly things influenced by the glamour of TV.
There are still misjudgements by professionals of course, my second point is that often it is those who are one man bands who don't have a company structure whose errors of judgement go unchecked.
Also they can be under more pressure as they have to run the business as well as plan and fly the shoot.


With a professional approach to planning and management you'll make a better living, loving what you do, no need to die doing it.




Mike Brennan

 

[Michael Brennan]

you seem to be an alarmist and point out the rare occurrence

Not sure if it was me you are reffering too, but apart from war zones, aerial camerawork claims more lives than any other form of camerawork by a long shot. Probably more than all forms of accidents combined.

And by far the majority of fatal accidents involve crashes where the doors have been removed.
I've pointed out the specific dangers based on accident reports, the most common is hand held shooting from an open door however the specific risky mechanics of this style of shooting can be mitigated.
Let me repeat that in another way, most of the deaths are avoidable, ie they are not bird stike or mechanical failure and the saftey failure mechanism is usually conencted to the demands of the crew.
Michael, you may charactrerise this as "bad luck" I say its bad management and who wants to rely on someone elses luck anyway!

If the reader understands this info they will see that a professionally piloted, well maintained aircraft is not a death trap, at least not until the camera crew arrive

Stylistically there is a place for hand held shooting and the success of this style is more dependant on using an experienced pilot and capable aircraft, than when using a stabilised mount where you can fly higher and also dont need to crab.
However, hand held shooting is used when budget is tight and so using an aircraft near the location is often part of the deal that saves money and the experience of pilot isn't a factor!
My rule is absolutly no low level if pilot has less than 500 hours.
Aim for 2000 hours as a minimum.


Mike Brennan

 

[Michael Dalton]

Some really nice shots in the link, well done. Did you shoot the entire show with Epics?

What do you do with all the EXTRA footage, the stuff the shows don't use? There's some great stuff in the chopper of the "primitive" villages. Do your own your Epic and keep the footage for personal use or is it all turned over to corporate?

Will, I own all the footage and completed shows. I own the cameras too.

I'll beg to disagree that I know little about what I'm commenting on and please correct any innacuracies in my post.

The point of the post is
Dont jump in the nearest and cheapest fixed wing or heli with a non professional pilot , even if he is experienced and a nice guy.
There are numerous more capable aircraft and helicopters for aerial filming based at this airfield

It wasnt bad luck that put the camerman in the passenger seat, it was poor planning.
If you want to have a rip snorting time as a thrill seeker cameraman then fine, but unlike a thrill seeking hobby that you do occasionally, regularly taking avoidable risks professionally is not something to encourage or condone.

Employing a professional pilot/driver/hunter/captain is a good start to reduce risk, because professionals are current in their craft and their competency is qualified and regulated and their plane/vehicle/boat ect has to be maintained to a commercial standard. They are not immune but are less likley to do silly things influenced by the glamour of TV.
There are still misjudgements by professionals of course, my second point is that often it is those who are one man bands who don't have a company structure whose errors of judgement go unchecked.
Also they can be under more pressure as they have to run the business as well as plan and fly the shoot.

With a professional approach to planning and management you'll make a better living, loving what you do, no need to die doing it.

Mike Brennan

Mike, this is where I strongly disagree. I don't see how it was poor planning. It was bad luck yes, but not poor planning. The pilot was very experienced, and knew the area well. Your sole basis is that because it was Africa that it's reckless and poor planning or that he was a conservationist which makes him an amateur pilot? I would be willing to bet that Dr. King has 10 time the flight hours a similar age guy in Canada/us, in far more challenging and difficult conditions then people back in the states and Canada. The Laikipia Wildlife forum is one of the most filmed conservation groups in Africa, probably 1-2 crews a month film with them, and I bet they all go up in that plane. It's disrespectful to such a nice guy for you to comment like this when you know nothing of skills, and make judgements like you do. Normally I don't weigh in on stuff like this, but since I have two connections to this story through the camera man who works for the same people I often do in Canada, and to have met and know of the pilot killed. I also do the same type of work that John did, so understand him better.

 

[Michael Brennan]

Your sole basis is that because it was Africa that it's reckless and poor planning or that he was a conservationist which makes him an amateur pilot?

I didn't use the "A" word as it is inappropriate for a bush pilot with a lot of experience and also Dr King may have a commercial pilots liscence.
The term "non professional" describes the status of a pilot that is not engauged in a commercial charter, it is not meant to be perjorative.

It's disrespectful to such a nice guy for you to comment like this when you know nothing of skills, and make judgements like you do

I'm sorry you read it that way. Where have I critisised the pilots skill? My point is that planning of aerial shooting, in particular the choice of aircraft and pilot, is a responsibility of production.

A professional cameraman who jumps into a convieninet cheap aircraft piloted by a "non professional" pilot, when there are other options available is taking unacceptable risks in my experience.
No oversight of the owner operator, door off and low power margin correlates to the flight profile that kills more aerial cameraman. A pilots skill, age and experience does not enter into the equation.
These factors are known before the flight. If you avoid doors off filming, one man band pilots and low powered craft you greatly reduce the chance of dying, be it fixed wing or rotary.
And one does not have to be an aviation expert to raise concerns about flying in poor weather or at night. Dont be backward in requesting an ill fitting helmet and baggy fire proof flight suit.

I also do the same type of work that John did, so understand him better.

All of us doc shooters have a bond formed by the rigours, thrills and dangers of doc shooting.

According to East Africa Aero club chairman Rob Linck who witnessed the crash.
"There were strong winds and the aircraft was small and therefore it could not manoeuvre its way through the turbulence," said Linck."


If Rob Linck was watching from the clubhouse, it appears that they didn't make it very far from the airfield.



Mike Brennan

 

[Michael Brennan]

Hard attachments to the airframe are the ones that require FAA approval. Think Tyler mount, Space-cam, etc... Bungee cords do not require FAA approval...

And how does the bungee attach to the airframe.. With some kind of hard mount, even a clip can be considered a hard mount depending on which country you are filming in.
FAA did not like me attaching a mincam to a LA news helicopter a few years ago, luckily I had the camera installation signed off by an engineer.
But the point is that there is a reason for the certification. Safe egress of passengers in an emergency is one such criteria, "Danger to flight" is another.

- Having said that - I do not use bungee cords to stabilize the camera. I use them to assist me with the weight. Fully kitted RED ONE with brute gyros (like in the pic below) weighs over 10kg, which on its own is not bad. But depending on your flight plan

some turns can generate up to 4G's - which turns the camera kit to 40+ kg and that can be a problem.

The operational limit for most helicopters is 2.5g. It is rare to go over 1.5g.

This is where the bungees come in handy. Bungees are also great at isolating the camera from the craft's vibrations (both low and high frequency ones)...

They way I see it the bungees eliminate high frequency but not low frequency, which they have a tendency to prolong.

In an emergency, even just a hard landing, is the camera at your head level and in danger of clobbering you in the face or head? maybe more than once!
If it can't be secured it would be highly desirable to wear a flight helmet with a drop down visor.

I always wear a climbing harness attached to the respective support points (always at least two). The rope attaching the harness to the craft uses properly rated carabiners (http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com...lock-carabiner) with secured quick-release on both ends. I guide them pass my hips and connect them to the main support loop at the front of the harness. Not only this is the strongest part of the harness - it is also easy to access in a emergency...

I used to use a climbing harness. Why not just buy a dispatchers harness? The issue is the release mechanism. Even a regulation aircrafty seat belt buckle if accidently fastend upside down will be difficult if not impossible to release it iin the event of a rollover you are left hanging.
So lets imagine you are hanging to the side or upside down in your harness will you be able to release the carabina if your body weight is pushing against it? Will you have to lift your weight to create two inches of slack and at the same time opening the gate on the carabina?
If using a home made harness (illegal in many parts of the world) strap a knife to you leg.
Also beware that eyelets on the floor of some choppers (AS350 for instance) are not rated and are designed to secure cargo not people. Straps should be taken to seat belt anchor points.
Carabiners are not designed for helicopters, buy an approved strap that has clips designed for aircraft.

- The camera is always attached to the craft independently of me with rope length making sure it will never reach anywhere near the rotors when dropped (even in a upside-down scenario)...

- I always use brute gyros - there is no substitute. If You can not buy one - rent one. Contact Kenyon Gyros and they will put you in touch with someone who has them in your region. Rolling shutter is extrapolated by craft vibration and generates a jello distortion that is impossible to correct in post...

- Wear proper boots and tape the bottom of your pants to the boots with gaffer tape. I still remember the pain and bruises from my very first aerial filming 10 years ago caused by the flapping end of my pants...

- Also wear warm clothing and tip-less gloves with good grip - even on a hot summer day.

Good tips. Try using an inner layer of fine gloves like silk so your finger tips are covered.

Use goggles that attach to your head (such a ski goggles if you can not find something more appropriate)...

A flight helmet is also appropriate. Also a flight suit which keeps you warm, try ebay. Beware of anything light that can fly off especially during high transit speeds.

Take DRAMAMINE. Don't be a macho. With your eyes focused on the POV of the camera and your body responding to the (unrelated) real-world horizon - it is super easy to succumb to motion sickness.

In the long run it is better to train your brain to ignore the disparity between the signals it is receiving from your inner ear and your eyes, which causes nausea.

I will not allow anyone with me on the helicopter (whether it is an assistant, director, or even the client!) without them having taken DRAMAMINE in time before the flight...

The side effects of Dramamine can be drowsiness, dizziness, nervousness, blurred vision, dry mount, nausea, vomiting and irregular heart beat. It is highly unusual to demand that co workers take medication/drugs for a heli flight! Sure remind them that if they suffer from motion sickness Dramamine can help.

Given the potential side effects of the drug versus the very low instances of passengers throwing up and the risk that you could be responsible for the side effects, real or imagined, I would counsel strongly against making such a demand. Some producers and directors may have a significant number of flight hours under their belt and may take offence.

If a passenger has a history of car/boar/plane motion sickness then remind them of Dramamine, if they don't then they can start the day side effects free, with a clear head to plan the shoot! and then rationaliset he balance/vision conflict as best they can. Ultimatley it is not our responsibility to manage passenger comfort, it is the pilots.


Peter, maybe if you laid off the Dramamine you'de realise those turns aren't 4g

Why not buy a used flight helmet, used flight suit and an approved harness? you'll have them for life and the insurance company can't argue that you were using unapproved kit.... it is the professional way to go!


Mike Brennan

 

[Joachim Hoge]

I always ask the pilot to bring a harness ( I do have my own climbing harness as a back up).

If we can´t afford a gyro and remote head, I hang our Epic with bungee cords from the heli, sitting on the edge of the seat, leaning out.
When I the pilot are securing me (on the ground) to the helicopter, I always try to find an end position where I´m comfortable. In other words, I lean out of the heli and adjust the have the pilot adjust the length of the security cord, so I know I how far I can lean out.

Secure the camera and your self, make sure you double check that you are hooked into the safty gear. I have experienced the unpleasant feeling of realising 1000feet above ground that both the pilot and I had forgot to hook my harness into the carabiner. This incident happened after 5 weeks of shooting from the same heli with the same pilot. It´s a bit typical when you get too used to/ too comfortable with what you are doing.

It usually takes a bit of time to get "in sync" with the pilot. As others have said, it´s a big difference in a good pilot (that has been flying eith a caemra man before) and your avaerage Joe. (I have had to send a pilot back to base and ask the heli company to send me a new pilot.)
The pilot should work as your tripod head/crane, fly in a way that helps you get what you want. But a pilot can´t do this without communication, so it´s important to tell him/her what to do, what worked, what didn´t work etc. Then they will tell you that what you want is impossible or too dangerous ;-)

Another thing to keep in mind if it´s the first time you are going up in a helicopter, is that it´s noisy, people (directors, producers etc and yourself) get stressed, communication is more difficult than normal, people are stressing because the meter is running and it´s expensive.
So try to stay calm, try to plan and prepare as well as you can on the ground to avoid misunderstandings.
If there are talent involved in what you are filming, get proper communication. Ideally everyone should have a walkie talkie.

I´m filming a lot of extreme skiing and I have to communicate with the skier, let him know when me and the pilot are ready. The problem is that I have to let the camera go with one hand to operate the walkie, so from experience I have an agrement with the skier to count to 10 from when I say I´m ready before he starts, so that I´m sure I got my framing right before the start. I try to be ready from the momen I "hang up", as a lot of the talent forget to count to 10 as they have adrenalin pumping through their system and just want to go.

If you are on a budget, rember that you are only paying for the time the heli is airborne, not when it´s on the ground, even if the engine is running (it´s less wear for the helicopter to be running, than shutting it down and starting it up again so the pilot tend to prefer to have the engine running if they can). At least that is how it works here in Norway, but you should ask that before you start flying.

All the best, it´s great fun, but take care

 

[Michael Brennan]

I´m filming a lot of extreme skiing and I have to communicate with the skier, let him know when me and the pilot are ready. The problem is that I have to let the camera go with one hand to operate the walkie, so from experience I have an agrement with the skier to count to 10 from when I say I´m ready before he starts, so that I´m sure I got my framing right before the start. I t

An appropriate use of hand held. It is possible to have a remote push to talk switch, it can be a foot operated (if you are operating from seated position) or a custom switch attached to the camera.
Charge production for it on the basis it will save a few minutes of heli time. I have a set of airband radios with a collection of mics and speakers and a headset so there is no excuse that you can't be heard on the ground and a foot switch.

I have experienced the unpleasant feeling of realising 1000feet above ground that both the pilot and I had forgot to hook my harness into the carabiner. This incident happened after 5 weeks of shooting from the same heli with the same pilot. It´s a bit typical when you get too used to/ too comfortable with what you are doing.

It comes back to the ZERO training and qualifications required to jump into a heli.

In many countries snapping a clip into a seat belt anchour point has to be checked by an engineer.


In respect to getting the best out of the pilot, dont throw a pilot out of their routine by doing things for them or engauging in conversation during their preflight and startup.
I think poorely of a pilot who does not give a safety brief every day as it shows he cuts corners on established procedures.

The bottom line is filming from an open door adds numerous hazards to an already hazardous job.

A UK SAR winchman accidently released a victim from the winch cable early this week.



Mike Brennan

 

[Joachim Hoge]

I've had plenty of safety briefs, and I will say every pilot I have flown with have gone through a safety brief with us before flying. But as you say, it's a hazardous job and we are only human. Humans makes mistakes unfortunately.

as I said before I think what throws most novices off when flying a helicopter is the noise and stress level people get from nerves to having more difficult time communicating. It takes time to get used to.
Try to stay as calm as you can, listen to the pilot and as Mike says, don't interfere with his routines

 

[Michael Brennan]

you seem to be an alarmist and point out the rare occurrence

Sadly this is not the case, with another aerial filming accident this week, coincidently in Africa, that claimed an experienced filmmaker.



Mike Brennan