Cops'nRobbers'Copters.
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Join Date: Feb 2003
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Cops'nRobbers'Copters.
I am not in the industry, but an enthusiaist and supporter of it. Can I ask of anyone who knows:-
Sometimes, either on t.v. news, or fly-on-the-wall documentaries, there will be some film footage of a police versus baddies chase taking place, somewhere in the USA. ('Frinstance, L.A.)
Invariably, the incident is being followed by what seems to be a cloud of helos, from, typically, L.A.P.D. or same as, and several news stations.
What I am asking is, between the police and news helo pilots, is there some kind of law, understanding, agreement, or whatever, as to who will fly at what height, in order for the news not to get in the way of police, and for the general safety of all concerned, including people on the ground?
Sometimes, either on t.v. news, or fly-on-the-wall documentaries, there will be some film footage of a police versus baddies chase taking place, somewhere in the USA. ('Frinstance, L.A.)
Invariably, the incident is being followed by what seems to be a cloud of helos, from, typically, L.A.P.D. or same as, and several news stations.
What I am asking is, between the police and news helo pilots, is there some kind of law, understanding, agreement, or whatever, as to who will fly at what height, in order for the news not to get in the way of police, and for the general safety of all concerned, including people on the ground?
Having flown for both the NBC affiliate and a sheriff department in the San Francisco Bay area I can probably help you out here.
In the SF area there is no written policy, but there are "air to air" frequencies that we all monitor. All the professional pilots also know each other and bar-b-que occasionally and work things out. Unless there is a TFR in place, the news helicopters will be talking directly to the LE pilot over the incident. There have been times when the news guys help out the police pilots with information also.
Also the news pilots will be talking to each other while over incidents and working out our own separation, and altitudes. I remember covering many stories where we would alternate who went lower, normally determined by who was going "live" at the time or who had what camera capabilities.
We all work in the same airspace and all of us are just trying to earn a living. Certainly it has been my experience that we work together for the common goal of going home that night, bt I do know there are some jurisdictions that do not have good working relationships.
In the SF area there is no written policy, but there are "air to air" frequencies that we all monitor. All the professional pilots also know each other and bar-b-que occasionally and work things out. Unless there is a TFR in place, the news helicopters will be talking directly to the LE pilot over the incident. There have been times when the news guys help out the police pilots with information also.
Also the news pilots will be talking to each other while over incidents and working out our own separation, and altitudes. I remember covering many stories where we would alternate who went lower, normally determined by who was going "live" at the time or who had what camera capabilities.
We all work in the same airspace and all of us are just trying to earn a living. Certainly it has been my experience that we work together for the common goal of going home that night, bt I do know there are some jurisdictions that do not have good working relationships.
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I once read an article on the LAPD where they described how they operate their helos and how they mix with the media and ATC. It basically went like this (but it may have changed or the article could have been wrong);
- The LAPD had the airspace from the ground up to a certain height (I think 300 or 500ft AGL).
- The media then stacked above that (first in best dressed I think).
- The ATC did not separate the helos from each other and were very good on issung clearances around the big airports.
With the height stacking, no helos should have been at the same level. It must work okay as they haven't been too many AS350's being rained on LA
- The LAPD had the airspace from the ground up to a certain height (I think 300 or 500ft AGL).
- The media then stacked above that (first in best dressed I think).
- The ATC did not separate the helos from each other and were very good on issung clearances around the big airports.
With the height stacking, no helos should have been at the same level. It must work okay as they haven't been too many AS350's being rained on LA
