Contact Bill Olmsted (seen at 1:16 into the clip, busy refuelling), the pilot involved here and get the facts. He is at
Xcel Aviation.
He has been in the helicopter industry in South Africa for years and is very experienced veteran in all aspects of aerial photography, having gone as far as designing his own nose mounted rigs. I have personally known him for years and he is one of the safest and most conscientious guys I know.
Here is some of his work as depicted in
IMDb, more than 13 movies in all, excluding his work on documentaries etc.
You surely cannot say the same for the first time flyer director/producer/narrator/script writer/passengers on the flight in the youtube video, with a 3D rig used for the first time on the B407. Some of the comments just show their lack of experience!
Bill will most certainly not have done work risking everybody’s lives at these altitudes, and that is possibly why he dropped them all off, even though he is used to working at high density altitudes.
“Hot and high” conditions are commonly encountered in South Africa. The Highveld region, in Gauteng, South Africa where a large percentage of helicopter flying occurs, the elevation of most airports start around 5500'AMSL, with temperatures exceeding 30° Celcius in summer. OR Tambo International Airport comes in at 5558’ AMSL.
The guys routinely do full on training of PPL’s here in R22’s and other piston helicopters.
The video also incorrectly states 3D at 3000’AMSL. The Drakensberg, where the video was taken in South Africa starts around 7000’AGL and goes up to 11424’ AMSL with temperatures always above ISA. True, it is easy to get to incredible density altitudes!
Stating that the B407 is not capable or the wrong machine is based on what? Singles are the most commonly used in South Africa, and even then the costs are still astronomical and helicopter availability or choice severely limited. Alternatively show me a twin engine helicopter, other than say an AW 139 that can do the job as well as an AS 350 B2/3 or B407 at this altitude, but at what extra cost?
In my personal experience, this B407, rated at 5250lbs MAUW, is more than capable of handling 5 POB, camera equipment and 400lbs of Jet A1, even at 7000’ AMSL, Out of Ground Effect. This is corroborated by quickly looking at the
performance specifications at ISA +20 as seen in the product specifications of the B407.
Granted, more people more risks, and it seems like this system being new requires a crew of at least 3 plus the pilot. There will always be risks, but it should be managed or perhaps we shouldn’t be making aerial films at all, as losing just 1 person is as bad as 5 people.
As mentioned, call Bill, I am sure he will be glad to hear from you and field any of your questions.