I did a project in 2008 to do some night photography from the helicopter. I tried film and by the time I pushed the film fast enough to get rid of any rotor shake, the grain was like basketballs. Likewise my first digital SLR was simply not fast enough. I got one of the earlier Nikon D3s and shot these pictures. You can see all of them, and at larger sizes, here:
Zenfolio | Paul Cantrell | Nighttime Aerial Boston
but I'm putting a few of them directly here...
Christian Science Church Boston:
Prudential Center Plaza:
State Street Bank:
This is looking back at Ft. Point Channel - Logan airport is directly behind us:
People skating on the Frog Pond:
and the Zakim Cable Stay bridge (everybody seems to like this shot
Hynes Convention Center in Back Bay:
The famous Citgo sign in Back Bay, which coincidentally is where I studied photography (New England School of Photography).
And finally the R44 we shot this from (and believe me it was cold shooting with the door off) - it was about -4C (24F) that night! I couldn't use my gloves while shooting so the wind chill was really bad.
Sorry it's more scenery than helicopters - I'll have to do a night air-to-air shoot sometime!
Paul