Helicopters
Helicopters for filming basically fall into two categories: those being filmed (picture ship) and those doing the filming (camera ship) The camera ship carries the camera and crew and has to be carefully chosen in consideration to available camera mounts and camera type, conditions and requirements. The bigger stabilised systems such as the Wescam and Gyron FS for example can only fit on a limited number of helicopter types. These are listed below. For filming over cities, crowds or over water a twin engine helicopter is required by law in the UK and most of Europe.
Picture ships can be pretty much anything and can even be temporarily painted to your colours or have stickers or military colours applied.
Full or partial mock-up aircraft can be supplied. We have access to a wide range of non flying bodies and fuselage sections which can be used for interior or gimbal based studio scenes. With prior negotiation, some of these may even be destroyed during filming if required.
Click on any of the following types of helicopter for more information.
- Eurocopter AS350 Squirrel (AStar) Single Engine
- Eurocopter AS355 Twin Squirrel (Twin Star) Twin Engine
- Agusta 109 Twin Engine
- Bell 206 Jet Ranger Single Engine
- Bell 206 Long Ranger Single Engine
- Bell 407 Single Engine
- Bell 212/412 Twin Engine
- Robinson R44
- Mil Mi-8
- Others
The preferred aerial filming platform. Very powerful, roomy and has possibly the widest range of mounts to suit for both film and video.
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The twin engine version of the Squirrel with same body as the single Squirrel. Has the added safety of two engines and can safely travel over large cities, crowds and over water.
A fast, roomy and quite sexy helicopter. The fastest civilian helicopter in the world. Limited range of camera mounts. The Agusta 109 camera mount for Wescam, Gyron, Cineflex and FLIR is from our friends at Castle Air.
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Possibly the worlds most common helicopter. Not nearly as powerful as the Squirrel or it's sister, the Long Ranger. Not recommended for the large stabilised systems due to their weight.
A stretched version of the Jet Ranger with a more room and a powerful engine in the Long Ranger III and IV variants.
These are very large civilian versions of the venerable UH-1 "Huey" military helicopter. Popular in the Middle East. We have possibly one of the only camera mounts for this type of helicopter - capable of carrying all the camera systems including the Wescam 36", Gyron FS, Super G, SpaceCAm and the smaller video systems
A light and small piston engined helicopter. Great for aerial scouts and stills shoots. We have our own R44 with a bracket for the Cineflex V14 and Wescam 16 video gimbals. We can also supply two R44 ENG helicopters with live transmission facilities if required. Cannot be used over cities below 1,500 ft.
A very large Russian helicopter available in many parts of the world in civilian and military versions. Only one camera bracket exists for this type for the stabilised systems which we have in house, although Tyler side mounts have been used.
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We have put mounts into and on to various larger helicopters and military helicopters such as the Super Puma, Lynx, Sea King, Gazelle and Huey. Military helicopters come with their own set of rules and are not bound by CAA or FAA regulations. Each fit is subject to individual 'Approval' by the military.
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