"When Aerial Filming goes Wrong People Die. Hire accident free Operators."

[mickjoebill]

Comments on this filming assignment....

-eKsDwU7kdo

A few days ago the pilot apparently twittered
"When Aerial Filming goes Wrong People Die. Hire accident free Operators."
Next to the twittering is a image of a smashed Cinelfex V14 on the ground.

http://distilleryimage11.instagram.com/7ca331b85e9b11e1a87612313804ec91_7.jpg

To my knowledge few if any cineflex operators have been killed in low level filming accidents, yet each year we lose numerous cameramen and photographers in precisely the type of assignment depicted in these videos!
Pilots promo

A5sjwZXCoSc



Mickjoebill
someone embed the video as it isn't working my end...

[vaqueroaero]

I think you'll find the first video is nothing more than people being outright irresponsible and after their YouTube 15 minutes of fame. It is on Mulholland Drive in LA. A quick search on YouTube of Mulholland wrecks will show you what I mean.

[Max Shutterspeed]

Here's another from the same YouTube channel

KwfDFZ8rLfU

I can't get the embed working...

His claim is "I'll beat any quote" Comments?

[mhale71]

did he fly under a bridge at 0:40 in the lambo vid?:eek:

Not to pass judgement though.. I dont know how much planning and preparation goes into those flights..

[ReverseFlight]

How about some irresponsible nap of the earth flying in Hong Kong ?
Michael Wong & The Bremont MW Heli-Chrono - YouTube

[Max Shutterspeed]

MHale71,

There's two ways to look at it.

1. It's a bunch of egos let loose in a couple of Lamborghinis, with two loons in an R44 winging it with a DV Cam with the cameraman having nothing more than the lap and diagonal belt holding him in place.

Or...

2. It's a carefully executed viral vid, cunningly made to look like blokes hooning around, when in actual fact, there was a full briefing with all concerned on the ground beforehand, everyone knew the sequence of moves, the cameraman's harness is actually there, though it's been hidden and the jerky camera moves, with the skids and tailboom moving into shot are all part of the effect.

You decide...

MS

[chopjock]

How about some irresponsible nap of the earth flying in Hong Kong ?What's irresponsible about it?

"When Aerial Filming goes Wrong People Die. Hire accident free Operators." "When NON Aerial Filming goes Wrong People Die TOO. Hire accident free Operators."
So what's your point? all flying can be dangerous.Just because some pilots fly low and have some fun, does not mean they will have an accident and people will die. The flying in those videos looked skillfull to me. As we all know, most accidents are pilot error. So if the pilot is skilled and experienced, what's the problem?

[Max Shutterspeed]

I don't see much wrong with the HK shots. As I said, it's easy to look at a short clip and be judgemental.

My favourite one was the Norwegian Koala SAR pilot in the valley, but that got pulled once his employer saw it, I believe. :=

Was a great video for a while tho...

[fleigle]

A couple of comments about filming car commercials, or movies, on public roads in California.
Around where I live (just north of San Francisco) there are a couple of places that are used frequently for car commercials. During a "shoot" there is a notable presense of the CHP (California Highway Patrol) who stop traffic during the actual "shoot", restricting access to the location.
Within San Francisco the City police are responsible for the same.
Mulholland Drive (above LA) is a great road and is well visited for much of the same reasons.
I don't know specifically about air operations but I very much doubt that an R44 would be wazzing about at less than 500 ft. AGL without somebody getting permission beforehand.
f

[Um... lifting...]

The pilot in question isn't any too well thought of in Greater Los Angeles, either by groundlings or his fellow pilots. Reportedly, he makes a habit of flying over the Hollywood Bowl during concerts despite requests from the operators of this 18,000 seat outdoor concert venue to refrain from it. They have far deeper pockets than he does.

Yes, I know it's the meeja, and there are some ridiculous quotes in the article, but one is to gather that the groundlings are rapidly learning precisely what the regulations are.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/26/us/26choppers.html?pagewanted=all

[2leftskids]

I think it is the 70's porn music soundtrack that should be outlawed in the HK vid

[alouette]

Hmmmm...yes, that guy...he already developed some reputation...

[Spunk]

Looking at the very first vid one question comes to my mind:

Has this guy ever attended a CRM course? Who allowed him to be absent during HPL classes when he first went through his PPL classes?

Yes, there might be times doing aerial filming where you have to fly that low but that kind of flying shown in the video is neither organized nor was it necessary as it wasn't aerial filming. These guys were taking stills. At that height they would have been better off using a ladder.

Bad risk management.

[misterbonkers]

Irresponsible flying in Hong Kong?!?

There was a half naked girl AND he was wearing a helmet! ;) :}

[Teefor Gage]

Hire accident free Operators.
Just cos an Operator has had no accidents doesn't mean that they are Safe!!
It's a bit saying that your car is so reliable as it never needs any maintenance........

[SilsoeSid]

And when it does go wrong, sometimes it makes you wonder if there really is someone looking after you !

Helicopter Crash Footage - YouTube

..and from the top of the hill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpTAEZGURjw

[rotorrookie]

MaxShutter, are you referring to this video? taken in Italian Alps

Agusta A119 Koala - Italian Alps - YouTube

[Gordy]

fleigle

A couple of comments about filming car commercials, or movies, on public roads in California.
Around where I live (just north of San Francisco) there are a couple of places that are used frequently for car commercials. During a "shoot" there is a notable presense of the CHP (California Highway Patrol) who stop traffic during the actual "shoot", restricting access to the location.
I don't know specifically about air operations but I very much doubt that an R44 would be wazzing about at less than 500 ft. AGL without somebody getting permission beforehand.
f

Yep, you may be referring to a couple I have done up there.... Back in early 07 we had the Richmond/San Rafael bridge "managed" by CHP for a Volvo commercial. They ran a "rolling roadblock" for us---basically they stop traffic just long enough to get the bridge empty---we send "the car" and they follow about 1,000 feet behind with traffic. This way traffic still flows but is not on the video. It sometimes takes several trips across the bridge. (Then we went up US 1 by Bodega Bay etc to get the scenic drives along the ocean---same deal up there--rolling roadblocks).

You are correct, to do it properly, the company has to have an FAA approved "Motion Picture Manual" which has regulatory waivers attached based upon risk assessment procedures and mandatory story boarding and briefings.

btw---the restricting access also keeps away the paprazzi who are trying to get pictures of the new models. The car companies actually attach plastic "spoilers" and false panels on the car until it is ready to move to try to cover the actual appearance. On this shoot they had a trailer at each end of the bridge and and it was hidden inside it until the rolling roadblock was in place.

[Bravo73]

I think it is the 70's porn music soundtrack that should be outlawed in the HK vid

Shame on you. That is a classic Sly & the Family stone track. :ok:

[fleigle]

Gordy,
Their most fave one is above Hwy 1 at Stinson Beach, the Panoramic highway!, they also like to water the road down.... this precludes me enjoying it on my bike (not pedal).
There was one this past weekend further north, no air though!
f