.
These are some of the still pictures I have taken. Some of the older photos are a bit hazy. This is because I took them through Sky10's tinted side window.
.
Included in this album are photos of both of the helicopters I have used - Sky10 & Chopper 8. Sky10 is a Bell 206B. Chopper 8 is also a Bell.
.
What goes into doing news and traffic reports from a helicopter? I get asked this question every once in a while, so I thought I would write about it. It really involves lots of multi-tasking.
.
The pilot sits in the front right side seat. I sit in the left rear seat. You can see from the attached photos that my only real view of what is happening is through the side windows or the monitors. In Sky10 the monitors and controls almost completely block my view toward the front. The pilots usually spot what we may be looking before I do. Both Dave and Ruben (pilots) have great vision and they are excellent at locating things. In Chopper 8, I have a better view looking forward. Chris and Christi are Chopper 8's pilots.
.
When we first start up, I have to let the cameras warm up before the transmitter is turned on. This usually takes 3 to 5 minutes. Then I turn the GPS-based transmitter finder on. This routes the signal to the appropriate transmitter relay tower. Since the helicopter spins around a lot, we have a machine to help us keep pointed at the correct spot. We use 8 (+/-) transmitters across the county. Once the GPS system seems to be online (I often have to reboot it), I call the station ask them which transmitter tower to use, and also then get some other technical settings set up. If this all works, then we are ready to send a picture and some sound.
.
From the photo, you can see the camera remote controls I use are quite large (14" by 8" +/-). Using the remote, I have to find a filter which is appropriate for the light conditions (bright vs dark, etc.). I can also adjust the shutter speed, the Iris, white balance, black balance, and a couple of other things. The joystick can be used by itself, or I can use some very fine movement controls. Switching from one to another can cause the picture to jump.
.
Here is a surprise for most people. Helicopters seldom hover. While they can hold still, this usually disturbs the air. So, staying in the same place is not safe.
.
OK, once we have the camera working, we have to find what it is we are taking pictures of. The remote has some light which show which way the camera is pointed. If what we are looking for is not obvious (smoke, fire, police lights), we often have to read street signs and house/building addresses. Normally, we find the subject and then we start circling around it. If there is another helicopter there, the pilots arrange to share the airspace, and most importantly, not crash into each other.
.
Once I have found the subject, then I have to figure out when I am going on, if I am talking or just shooting the picture, what I am going to say, and how long it should take. This involves talking to the assignment editor back at the station. I also have to talk to someone at Total Traffic so they can inform all of the stations that use our video where we are.
.
The producer then lets me know how long it is until I go on. If the radio is working, then I can hear the anchors talking. If not, then someone gives me a cue to start talking. The producer will also tell me when it is time to wrap it up, if I am going too long.
.
Quite often my radio is playing what is going on at the station a split second after it happens. Many times, I hear my own voice a half second after I say something. I can hear all of the following people on the radio: pilot, air traffic controllers (I usually turn this channel off), transmitter technician, assignment desk, producer, director, Total Traffic producer, and the live broadcast feed. While it doesn't happen often, I have actually had four people talking to me while I was doing a broadcast. It can get very distracting.
.
So, I have to take the videos, make sure the pictures are a good as we can get them, listen to instructions from the ground, read information from my smart-phone or notes or use what I memorized, and then say what I am going to say. It can be extremely hectic, to say the least.
.
The funny thing is, I still enjoy it. I stopped flying in Sky10 in February 2013. I moved over to Chopper 8 in May 2013.
.
.
.
Enjoy
Click on any of the small pictures below to see a larger version of it.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Photo album created with Web Album Generator
