Photographer's Harness
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Photographer's Harness
Please can anyone offer any advice on UK regulations / what the requirements are for a harness when doing aerial + air to air photography, doors off, from a helicopter? Also where one might obtain such a thing and if a regular climbing harness with suitable attachments might suffice?
Many thanks
nrh
Many thanks
nrh
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Hi NRH
I do a fair ammount of aerial photography in the R44. The normal rules apply (rule 5) and also make sure you do not fly the helicopter is such manner that if you have a power unit failure you won't be able to make a safe landing.
I take every unnecessary loose object out of the helicopter (i.e sick bags, briefing cards ect) when removing the doors. I only take the rear right door off so no objects can fly into the tail rotor and you also get the advantage of seeing what the photographer is trying to capture. Remember the helicopters limitations when doors are removed.
With regards to the photographer I use a normal climbing harness with a strong climbing rope attached with two carabinas attached to him and a structural point in the helicopter. Also the camera has to be sercurly attached to the photographer himself (I use a thin steel cable with recorders). I also have him strapped in with the standard seatbelts. Make sure he does not have any loose articals or lenses on his camera and if he does change them in flight make sure there is an assistant to help him.
Hope this can help
Regards
DP
I do a fair ammount of aerial photography in the R44. The normal rules apply (rule 5) and also make sure you do not fly the helicopter is such manner that if you have a power unit failure you won't be able to make a safe landing.
I take every unnecessary loose object out of the helicopter (i.e sick bags, briefing cards ect) when removing the doors. I only take the rear right door off so no objects can fly into the tail rotor and you also get the advantage of seeing what the photographer is trying to capture. Remember the helicopters limitations when doors are removed.
With regards to the photographer I use a normal climbing harness with a strong climbing rope attached with two carabinas attached to him and a structural point in the helicopter. Also the camera has to be sercurly attached to the photographer himself (I use a thin steel cable with recorders). I also have him strapped in with the standard seatbelts. Make sure he does not have any loose articals or lenses on his camera and if he does change them in flight make sure there is an assistant to help him.
Hope this can help
Regards
DP
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You may want to think about using a fall arrester as well to absorb the energy from the (potential) fall. These can be purchased relatively cheaply, but are an absolute necessity when using a harness/short-rope set up.
Taking a fall onto a short piece of climbing rope is a very easy way of breaking your back or at least snapping something nasty.
PM for more info (occasional climbing instructor).
Taking a fall onto a short piece of climbing rope is a very easy way of breaking your back or at least snapping something nasty.
PM for more info (occasional climbing instructor).
Also the camera has to be sercurly attached to the photographer himself (I use a thin steel cable with recorders). I also have him strapped in with the standard seatbelts. Make sure he does not have any loose articals or lenses on his camera and if he does change them in flight make sure there is an assistant to help him.
Can the carabinas be easily reached by the cameraman?
Straping the camera to the cameramans body is a less than good idea. Something else to tangle him up if he has to do a runner.
Attach the saftey strop to the aircraft not the man.
A cameraman drowned in an light aircraft ditching a few years ago, three others escaped uninjured. The cameraman couldn't release his carabinas and apparently he nor anyone else on board had a knife to hand.
If you tie your passenger in, consider a rigid sheathed knife strapped to his shin. Also another securley taped to the ceiling or seat, easily available if the cameraman is knocked out in a prang by the camera. Divers knives are good choice as they have straps on the sheaths.
A helmet is a good idea, something between camera and skull.
Mickjoebill
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Mickjoebill
I can see your point. The carabina is right infront of the camera man and in the brief you tell him that is the first thing he would reach for in an emergency (he still has the aircraft seat belt on in the air).
With regards to having the camera straped to the man the advantage is that he has control over it at all times and it is one less thing that could tangle him into the aircraft.
Ops manual forbids flight over water without floats so that one is cleared up!
DP
I can see your point. The carabina is right infront of the camera man and in the brief you tell him that is the first thing he would reach for in an emergency (he still has the aircraft seat belt on in the air).
With regards to having the camera straped to the man the advantage is that he has control over it at all times and it is one less thing that could tangle him into the aircraft.
Ops manual forbids flight over water without floats so that one is cleared up!
DP
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We use a dispatchers harness which goes only round the hips. This is easy release.
In general we also leave the photographer secure to his seat by the normal seatbelt but at times one needs the extra flexibility so the seatbelt gets released, but then the dispatchers harness is only long enough for the actions so should you fall you can only fall an inch.
Camera is secured round the neck of the photographer.
In general we also leave the photographer secure to his seat by the normal seatbelt but at times one needs the extra flexibility so the seatbelt gets released, but then the dispatchers harness is only long enough for the actions so should you fall you can only fall an inch.
Camera is secured round the neck of the photographer.
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I have used a purpose-made harness made by Irvin GQ for over 10 years.
It is a parachute harness with an adjustable length tether - BUT - the tether is releasable from the harness in emergency with a quick-release handle. The mechanism of this release is safe from accidental operation, but quick and easy if you need it.
The harness MUST be releasable quickly in case of ditching, fire, etc - AND the tether should be short enough to prevent matey from leaving the aircraft. The number of times I've seen people in a harness with about eight feet of rope at their feet FFS!! I remember an accident some years ago where the video cameraman was dragged along by his tether outside the helicopter after a hard engine-off run-on landing.
Also, in a small helicopter, the standard seat belt should still be used around the photographer's waist - a harness, even on a short tether is useless in a hard landing or accident (see above).
He's wearing the harness to keep him IN, not to catch him when he's fallen OUT.......
It is a parachute harness with an adjustable length tether - BUT - the tether is releasable from the harness in emergency with a quick-release handle. The mechanism of this release is safe from accidental operation, but quick and easy if you need it.
The harness MUST be releasable quickly in case of ditching, fire, etc - AND the tether should be short enough to prevent matey from leaving the aircraft. The number of times I've seen people in a harness with about eight feet of rope at their feet FFS!! I remember an accident some years ago where the video cameraman was dragged along by his tether outside the helicopter after a hard engine-off run-on landing.
Also, in a small helicopter, the standard seat belt should still be used around the photographer's waist - a harness, even on a short tether is useless in a hard landing or accident (see above).
He's wearing the harness to keep him IN, not to catch him when he's fallen OUT.......
I've no idea of the UK regulations, but Australia introduced standards for harnesses a few years ago, both for rescue harness and for crewman's harness. Companies have approvals ("Permissions", as they are now called) against not wearing seat belts when using a harness, but they will always stipulate that if a seat belt is worn then the harness must be disconnected: no point in getting caught trying to release both restraints after a bingle!
Our crewman/cameraman's harnesses have to be made to an approved standard, and are usually modified parachute harnesses with the quick release going to a 3 ring arrangement which will detach the securing strap from the back of the harness. A web cutter is essential as an alternative release, usually attached to one of the shoulder straps of the harness. Just as important is the hard point for attaching the harness to the airframe: seat belt anchorage points often do not have the lateral strength to safely restrain the crewman in an emergency. Bell have anchorage points for 206's which bolt to the vertical surface below the seats, other types need to be checked for an approved point.
We also have quick release straps to secure the camera to the harness, a further safety issue which can be overlooked. Then the still photographer changes his lens and it slips out of his hand: but you can only allow for so much, unfortunately!!
There was a thread a while back, Lap belt vs harness which had some further discussion.
Our crewman/cameraman's harnesses have to be made to an approved standard, and are usually modified parachute harnesses with the quick release going to a 3 ring arrangement which will detach the securing strap from the back of the harness. A web cutter is essential as an alternative release, usually attached to one of the shoulder straps of the harness. Just as important is the hard point for attaching the harness to the airframe: seat belt anchorage points often do not have the lateral strength to safely restrain the crewman in an emergency. Bell have anchorage points for 206's which bolt to the vertical surface below the seats, other types need to be checked for an approved point.
We also have quick release straps to secure the camera to the harness, a further safety issue which can be overlooked. Then the still photographer changes his lens and it slips out of his hand: but you can only allow for so much, unfortunately!!
There was a thread a while back, Lap belt vs harness which had some further discussion.
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Can you give me the details of your Irvin GQ harness please?
It is really better suited to larger helicopters that you can wander about in. I have used it in 350/355's with the tether point central in the back so as not to fall out of either side.
The important things are:
- The harness tether must be short enough to keep the wearer inside the aircraft. Once the wearer is rigged get him to slide forward/lean out as much as possible - if his @r$e slides off the seat/door sill, the tether is too long. (Best done before take-off)
- The harness is not the primary means of restraint for take-off and landing
- All loose items removed or restrained - seat cushions, etc. I have known of 206 hatracks, roof trims and the entire rear bulkhead trim of a 355 coming adrift when flying doors-off
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Harness
We've been using a crew mans harness from Lifesaving Systems Corp for years for crew ops in the back including photography. it works really well. It has a double safety lock with fully adjustable length strap and once this is anchored in the aircraft using the quick release (with safety), they are not going anywhere - hopefully 
They are available from Life Saving Systems. As it happens, I have a couple of them which i no longer need - if you're interested PM me or of course LSC will be happy to sell you a new one. They provide pretty good service.
They are available from Life Saving Systems. As it happens, I have a couple of them which i no longer need - if you're interested PM me or of course LSC will be happy to sell you a new one. They provide pretty good service.
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Hmmmmm
Glad I don't have to use that harness looks bloody dangerous to me,that is if the quick release mechanism is pressing the two side's in on each of the two snap connector's.
try doing that underwater.
Go for a dispatchers harness.
R1
Glad I don't have to use that harness looks bloody dangerous to me,that is if the quick release mechanism is pressing the two side's in on each of the two snap connector's.
try doing that underwater.
Go for a dispatchers harness.
R1
We use full body harnesses by Yates (Rope Rescue Harnesses, as well as adjustable pick-off straps as tethers. Generally, the photographer is tethered in two places, middle of back and hips. The middle of back tether provides adjustability for lean, and the hip keeps his butt in. We generally work out of AStars and TwinStars with half of the seats folded up, and the photographer sits at the edge for maximum field of view and better ability to shoot straight down. The Yates harnesses provide several D-Rings that camera straps and other equipment can be attached to for safety (just looping the strap around your neck is NOT a great idea...). I do note the suggestion that camera gear should be tethered to the aircraft, not the individual... but that's not always practical.
I haven't found a quick release system that I'd trust not to get fouled in our gear during camera changes. Both the photographer and assistant carry a small seatbelt cutting tool in an easily accessible place on the harness. I'd be wary of using a simple climbing harness if working at the edge, as well as using the crewman safety belt as the sole restraint if working with the door removed.
All camera equipment (bags, gyro battery, etc) is tethered to hardpoints using quickdraws or longer webbing. For me, AStars have the easiest to access tether points, using the rear seatbelt attachment points. Bell 206's are a little bit more of a pain to access solid points on which to attach carabiners, but small bits of webbing around the seatbelt attachment point piece works for them. Interesting is John Eacott's mention below that seatbelt mount points may not have appropriate lateral strength. Mechanics in the past have advised me that seatbelt points were appropriate for this usage, but I'll have to revisit that.
In agreement with TRC's point, anything loose MUST be removed. When operating doors off in 350/355, the velcro on the rear cushions can come loose in the wind in certain conditions and create a dangerous situation. Also, the photographer should have the lens hood taped to each lens as the twistlock can come loose easily. Lens caps and things of that sort don't need to come up.
I haven't found a quick release system that I'd trust not to get fouled in our gear during camera changes. Both the photographer and assistant carry a small seatbelt cutting tool in an easily accessible place on the harness. I'd be wary of using a simple climbing harness if working at the edge, as well as using the crewman safety belt as the sole restraint if working with the door removed.
All camera equipment (bags, gyro battery, etc) is tethered to hardpoints using quickdraws or longer webbing. For me, AStars have the easiest to access tether points, using the rear seatbelt attachment points. Bell 206's are a little bit more of a pain to access solid points on which to attach carabiners, but small bits of webbing around the seatbelt attachment point piece works for them. Interesting is John Eacott's mention below that seatbelt mount points may not have appropriate lateral strength. Mechanics in the past have advised me that seatbelt points were appropriate for this usage, but I'll have to revisit that.
In agreement with TRC's point, anything loose MUST be removed. When operating doors off in 350/355, the velcro on the rear cushions can come loose in the wind in certain conditions and create a dangerous situation. Also, the photographer should have the lens hood taped to each lens as the twistlock can come loose easily. Lens caps and things of that sort don't need to come up.
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any time we get someone leaning out, we put a rubber band over the female latch, as the photographers are wearing baggy clothes and its easy to catch the lap belt in their gear, and unbuckle unknowingly. had one guy last year say he undid the latch on a job. with the rubber band, you can still easily pop the belt off.. Same as long lining, some guys if they have doors off, add the band in case.
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Rescue 1.
You are correct in assuming that you press the two sides to release the catch (twice). This piece of kit is favoured by the US Coast Guard and presumably it's a matter of risk management i.e ratio of people falling out of the helicopter versus helicopters going in the drink. We used it for crew safety in SAR type ops as much as photography over the 10 years or so.
It does work well and releases very easily with the added safety of the second release. For underwater egress, I always suppose that once you have your reference point and good training, reaching to your waist to release two catches is just as easy as one; however we know that pressure bursts pipes as we say, so maybe a bit of added stress at the wrong time might not be favoured, particularly by those hanging upside down without any underwater egress training at all.
You are correct in assuming that you press the two sides to release the catch (twice
). This piece of kit is favoured by the US Coast Guard and presumably it's a matter of risk management i.e ratio of people falling out of the helicopter versus helicopters going in the drink. We used it for crew safety in SAR type ops as much as photography over the 10 years or so.It does work well and releases very easily with the added safety of the second release. For underwater egress, I always suppose that once you have your reference point and good training, reaching to your waist to release two catches is just as easy as one; however we know that pressure bursts pipes as we say, so maybe a bit of added stress at the wrong time might not be favoured, particularly by those hanging upside down without any underwater egress training at all.
A cameramans harness will have a quick release handle much like on a parachute harness, therefore it is very quick for said person to exit the aircraft if they happen to survive the crash if they're not in their seat wearing their seatbelt (an unfortunate trade-off of achieving the task at hand vs risk). If someone's attached to the aircraft via a harness with no way of releasing themselves in a hurry other than via a carabiner that is connecting them, good luck getting out when the s*it hits the fan..
Furthermore the camera should be attached to the aircraft itself via a load rated strop/teather to stop it ending up going through someones' roof and landing on their dining room table in the middle of dinner. It won't act as an anchor on the cameraman that way.
Furthermore the camera should be attached to the aircraft itself via a load rated strop/teather to stop it ending up going through someones' roof and landing on their dining room table in the middle of dinner. It won't act as an anchor on the cameraman that way.