Helicopters am I right? I come from a family of fixed-wing pilots, I’m familiar with flight but never knew what to expect from Helicopters. After a couple of flights, I was sold! What an amazing way to fly at low altitudes and be able to land anywhere you can find flat ground. When I received the email for this shoot, I was ecstatic. The good people at Hometeam Global Content and Reel Bros Media brought me on to run independently from the video team creating opportunities and imagery that tell Robinson Helicopter story through Quantum Helicopters, a flight school in Chandler, AZ. We recorded the preflight procedures, flying, and post-flight, I think you could guess my favorite part.
To achieve quality photographs while flying, we were required to remove the door on my side of the helicopter to have a clear view. Interesting fact, in helicopters, the pilot is on the right side. During take-off, I had my camera glued to my face which provided a huge surprise after pulling the camera away to find myself hundreds of feet above the ground hanging out of the helicopter. These are the moments in my life where I take inventory of an epic feeling and try to enjoy it all. We were up in a model R44 photographing the smaller R22 model over the Estrella Mountains on the southern side of Phoenix, AZ. Neil Jones, President of Quantum Helicopters and veteran pilot, flew us around the mountains maneuvering per my direction. The R22 was piloted by US Army Veteran Tim Brennan, an amazing pilot and not afraid to show his skills.
It felt amazing to be a part of this project and provide images to such a global leader in aviation. I can not wait, and am looking forward to my next flight in a Robinson Helicopter!
