Shooting from helicopter with open door

A great many years ago, it used to be possible to take a helicopter from the tip of Manhattan to either of the major New York airports. Subsequent to that time a variety of accidents either temporarily or permanently ended the service. That notwithstanding, and no open doors, an entirely memorable experience. I still have slides taken with my Nikons of New York City from above. Frankly it always comes down to risk vs. gain. I have survived considered risks for a long time, and as a result, have enjoyed life. Flying in a helicopter is more dangerous than commercial airlines, but safer than driving - at least according to some statisticians. I won't quote Mark Twain.

Edit: a touch late, but in the same spirit!

Decades ago, long before drones or even Google maps I was hired for aerial photos of some property. The budget allowed for a small helicopter, Robinson 22, 2 seater. Doors off, the flight was breezy but nice. Lots of vibration. Things I would suggest you look out for:1. make sure all cases/bags are closed and lids secured. 2. make sure bags are not in the way of any controls this includes your feet. 3. don't stick your hands/arm out of the open door, I did this and was immediately hit with massive static in the headphones. The pilot said the downdraft wash created the static and I grounded it. Perhaps your copter won't have that problem. 4. always do exactly what the pilot says. 5. check and recheck that your seatbelt/harness is secure. 6. have a good time.

You had an interesting job. I am paying close attention to your advices; they make a lot of sense. The Victoria Falls helicopter flight is booked for October, the next day after my arrival at Zimbabwe, followed by a photo safaris tour - the main reason for the trip. The condition of the waterfalls will not be optimum but I am hoping it will not be too bad, and that the Covid-19 restrictions would ease off to allow visitors from the US at that time.

Thank you so much! Happy New Year!

A great many years ago, it used to be possible to take a helicopter from the tip of Manhattan to either of the major New York airports. Subsequent to that time a variety of accidents either temporarily or permanently ended the service. That notwithstanding, and no open doors, an entirely memorable experience. I still have slides taken with my Nikons of New York City from above. Frankly it always comes down to risk vs. gain. I have survived considered risks for a long time, and as a result, have enjoyed life. Flying in a helicopter is more dangerous than commercial airlines, but safer than driving - at least according to some statisticians. I won't quote Mark Twain.

 

Edit: a touch late, but in the same spirit!

I remember a guy getting off a helicopter in Manhattan who went back to the rear luggage compartment to get a bag. He was decapitated by the still rotating blades. . The bag had $1 million in cash as I remember.

And BTW, I've been to 21 countries in Africa but not by helicopter. Yes, Vic Falls is beautiful.

The bag had $1 million in cash as I remember.

Was it worth it to lose one's head? :eek:

Mary there is a saying among aviators that helicopters don’t fly, they just beat the air into submission. Basically it’s a machine that vibrates constantly while going from place to place. You can always tell a pilot is flying a helo when you hear him on the radio. Use whatever strap you want to keep you from falling out and keep the shutter speed fast enough to beat the vibration.

Rick H.

Decades ago, long before drones or even Google maps I was hired for aerial photos of some property. The budget allowed for a small helicopter, Robinson 22, 2 seater. Doors off, the flight was breezy but nice. Lots of vibration. Things I would suggest you look out for:1. make sure all cases/bags are closed and lids secured. 2. make sure bags are not in the way of any controls this includes your feet. 3. don't stick your hands/arm out of the open door, I did this and was immediately hit with massive static in the headphones. The pilot said the downdraft wash created the static and I grounded it. Perhaps your copter won't have that problem. 4. always do exactly what the pilot says. 5. check and recheck that your seatbelt/harness is secure. 6. have a good time.

Hey Mary! Randy has good advice. I was a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot in the Army for about 12 years and I wanted to add a little to Randy's suggestions. First, EVERYTHING you bring on board needs a place where it can safely be stored and if possible, tied down. An air crew in Iraq had a pair of chocks that became wedged over the collective lever and it caused a terrible accident. Things shift in flight, especially if you have any fast drops in altitude, as helicopter pilots love to do. The static thing is also absolutely true and it is universal. It won't shock you unless you are one the ground and the airframe is at a hover and you touch it, but it will cause static in your headphones. All of the gear you plan to use during the shoot needs to be connected to you. I used to call this putting a "dummy cord" on it, but basically, anything you use should have a sturdy strap on it such that, should an angry gorilla want to take it from you, it won't go without the rest of you. The vibration issue is more accentuated at what is called Effective Translational Lift. This happens somewhere around 12 to 18 knots (around 15 to 20 MPH) so the best place to take photos with a slower shutter speed will be either at a hover or over 25 knots. This does depend on the airframe. In a Blackhawk, 120 knots was a sweet-spot, but closer you got to max speed the more shake you can feel. And like Randy said, do EVERYTHING the pilot says to do. The pilot can explain the "why's" in pre-flight and post flight, but in-flight isn't the time to ask "why?" You're in for a good time. Let us know how it goes!

Hey Mary! Randy has good advice. I was a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot in the Army for about 12 years and I wanted to add a little to Randy's suggestions. First, EVERYTHING you bring on board needs a place where it can safely be stored and if possible, tied down. An air crew in Iraq had a pair of chocks that became wedged over the collective lever and it caused a terrible accident. Things shift in flight, especially if you have any fast drops in altitude, as helicopter pilots love to do. The static thing is also absolutely true and it is universal. It won't shock you unless you are one the ground and the airframe is at a hover and you touch it, but it will cause static in your headphones. All of the gear you plan to use during the shoot needs to be connected to you. I used to call this putting a "dummy cord" on it, but basically, anything you use should have a sturdy strap on it such that, should an angry gorilla want to take it from you, it won't go without the rest of you. The vibration issue is more accentuated at what is called Effective Translational Lift. This happens somewhere around 12 to 18 knots (around 15 to 20 MPH) so the best place to take photos with a slower shutter speed will be either at a hover or over 25 knots. This does depend on the airframe. In a Blackhawk, 120 knots was a sweet-spot, but closer you got to max speed the more shake you can feel. And like Randy said, do EVERYTHING the pilot says to do. The pilot can explain the "why's" in pre-flight and post flight, but in-flight isn't the time to ask "why?" You're in for a good time. Let us know how it goes!

Noted your advice. Thank you!

Were it not for the inherent danger, would zip lines, bungie jumpsm virgin ski runsm and helicopter rides be as popular as they are?

Maybe that's why I still ride a motorcycle.

Along this line, there are two classes of helicopters, the first being one that has not yet crashed.

Guess this classification is applicable to everything? ... how about "two kinds of people", the kind that are alive and the kind that are dead?:D:eek:

It should be really good adventure, go for it. If I would have a chance, I wouldn't hesitate, we all live only once:)

On practical side, 2 cameras with 2 zooms, probably 24-70 and 70-200, for full frame, no time to change lenses. Both cameras secured with belt or line, so they wouldn't fall out. VR may help with framing, fast shutter speed, start with 1/1000 and shorter. Have a fun.

Share pictures with us later.

Share pictures with us later

Yes, unless I chicken out when I get there; or Covid would deter me from getting there this year; but this would only delay it because I don't plan to cancel the trip.

I was living in Niagara Falls for two yeas, never tired to photograph it.

Another advice, have polarizer filters for your lens, don't think it would be practical use them on helicopter ride, they cutting light and you will need high shutter speed, to minimize vibration. But for the land shots polarizer probably can help a bit to reduce softening effects of water spray.

I note that billionaire politician Olivier Dassault was killed yesterday in a helicopter crash in northwestern France, and he wasn't even trying to photograph.

So sad.

Hi MAry,

Wondering if you've gotten over to fly and photograph in/from the helicopter? I'd be very interested to see your photos and hear of the experience.

I do a fair amount of work "at height". Harness up, add a tether from your camera to either yourself or to the vehicle, absolutely secure all personal items against sliding about inside the aircraft, and enjoy the fun. I am certain the flight crew will be well versed in all of this.

No reason to worry- as long as you take all (very) necessary precautions. Failure to strictly adhere to safety protocols could end badly for you- but what a way to go, eh? But clipped in to the vehicle or craft, with your camera secured properly, you cannot possibly fall to your death. Even if you drop the camera it will only fall to the end of the tether. In the event of a fall or drop, you or the camera may get banged up a bit - but you won't die and the camera will be a nice reminder of that time you hung out the side of a moving helicopter over one of the World's Natural Wonders.

Remember most of all that this is routine for the flight crew & staff- you wont be the first or last to do this.

DO IT! and post pix upon your return.

Once was enough.

LOL.

Just got back on this forum after 12 years away. Ive kind of concluded that drones have pretty much taken over the aerial photo world. They have great optics and built-in stabilizers...and they can fly at altitudes that actually work for photography, as in under 500 ft.

I was a U.S. Coast Guard Photo-Journalist back in the early '70s and photographed from helicopters a lot; HH52A's as well as Army Hueys. At that time either used a machine-gun belt and shot out the open door, or on the Hueys just sat on the floor with feet on the runners. 1/250 will stop a rotor in flight, but you need at least 1/500 to minimize the vibration coming through the deck and causing movement in the camera. When shooting motion picture, had to stand with knees bent and elbows bent to soak up the vibration. About every 500 ft. of altitude knocks down about an f-stop of light, depending on how much crud is in the air. A good UV filter helps some, but you probably won't have time to play with polarizers, etc.--which also knocks down another 2 stops of light. A really good neck strap is really bout all you will get as far as holding your equipment on--depending on what type of helicopter you are using you won't have room for much gear anyway

I was a commercial and editorial photographer from 1980-2009, and did a lot of aerials for architecture and engineering work, shooting out of both helicopters and fixed-wing. No reason not to trust either platform over the other, although the nicest helicopter I ever flew in and photographed from was the same one Stevie Ray Vaughn was killed in, I'm almost certain. Anyway, unless there's a ban on drones, I'd use a drone to get those amazing photos, and take the helicopter ride for fun.