23 replies to this topic

[Gary Davies]

Bit of a left field question. What are the arrangements regarding the F1 helicopter shots?

 

Do they employ a regular pilot for all races in the way that Bernd Mayländer drives the safety car in all the races? Or is there a variety of pilots? If so, does the pilot's licence permit her/him to operate in all the countries they visit?

 

Do they hire local helicopter companies? Do they perhaps ship a helicopter around the world inside the cargo 747?

[FirstnameLastname]

When you’re at the circuit it’s very dramatic seeing the helicopter flying around, I’ve always thought it does some crazy manoeuvres considering the large crowds it’s often being done above.

I’m sure there’s a sky feature somewhere with Brundle riding in the helicopter

[FirstnameLastname]

https://www.formula1...jr45VXBDZn.html

[Ali_G]

Don’t know the answers to the OP questions.

Just to say I miss the sound of the helicopters engine which we used to get in shots. Assume it is digitally removed these days.

[FirstnameLastname]

Looks like they use various different helicopters, but the crew is consistent.

Interesting how they stop the raindrop on the lens!

[FirstnameLastname]

I remember sitting at pouhon at spa and the heli rising up over the trees at the top of the hill, it was so close to the crowd and moving very dramatically. Got some superb shots though.

Interesting in that video that they mentioned Brazil, because I noticed that last weekend more than ever, F1 sitting in its bowl in the middle of a sprawling city. Also helps I’ve upgraded to a huge OLED tv which really shows off those shots.

[danmills]

I always associate the helicopter sound with the old guitar wang wannggggg FIA logo and yellow/white pixellated text with Murray Walker welcoming us to a wet Spa or a very sunny and busy Silverstone.

[JimmyClark]

I’m sure there’s a sky feature somewhere with Brundle riding in the helicopter

Here you go https://youtu.be/zOpMPBxZYZc

Rather him than me, to be honest...

[Ali_G]

I always associate the helicopter sound with the old guitar wang wannggggg FIA logo and yellow/white pixellated text with Murray Walker welcoming us to a wet Spa or a very sunny and busy Silverstone.

All sadly missed.

[pdac]

I'd have thought that a lot can be done with drones nowadays.

[chdphd]

I dunno if they still do this, but at the 2006 British Grand Prix I did a helicopter lap of track on the Friday and Saturday, Only £35 or something. I got a fantastic impression of the speed of the cars from above.
 

[owenmahamilton]

I'd have thought that a lot can be done with drones nowadays.

 

 

Drone batteries don't last long enough, also if it's really windy drones don't like it.

[Risil]

Aren't a lot of the lower aerial shots accomplished by cameras moving along a wire, zip-line style, at high speed? Or did I dream that.

[PayasYouRace]

Don’t know the answers to the OP questions.

Just to say I miss the sound of the helicopters engine which we used to get in shots. Assume it is digitally removed these days.

 

Was there ever any reason to have a microphone on the helicopter camera in the first place?

[PayasYouRace]

I'd have thought that a lot can be done with drones nowadays.

 

 

Drone batteries don't last long enough, also if it's really windy drones don't like it.

 

I don't think most drones are anywhere near fast enough to keep up with the cars either.

 

 

Aren't a lot of the lower aerial shots accomplished by cameras moving along a wire, zip-line style, at high speed? Or did I dream that.

 

Yeah, you see them along pit straights and also across "stadium" sections. I think there's one at Luffield for example.

[Risil]

Actually didn't one of them fall on the track at a NASCAR race a few years ago (I want to say Coca Cola 600).

[AustinF1]

Bit of a left field question. What are the arrangements regarding the F1 helicopter shots?

 

Do they employ a regular pilot for all races in the way that Bernd Mayländer drives the safety car in all the races? Or is there a variety of pilots? If so, does the pilot's licence permit her/him to operate in all the countries they visit?

 

Do they hire local helicopter companies? Do they perhaps ship a helicopter around the world inside the cargo 747?

I think they use the same pilot, at least most of the time. Having been to a few GPs and having watched them pretty closely at times, the pilot seems very confident, sets up shots well, and has the same kind of swooping, acrobatic style.

Edited by AustinF1, 19 November 2021 - 22:35.

[AustinF1]

When you’re at the circuit it’s very dramatic seeing the helicopter flying around, I’ve always thought it does some crazy manoeuvres considering the large crowds it’s often being done above.

I’m sure there’s a sky feature somewhere with Brundle riding in the helicopter

Yep. You can't fly a drone over concert or sporting event venues or crowds, but F1 can fly a helicopter in low & fast, all over the place. 

[AustinF1]

Don’t know the answers to the OP questions.

Just to say I miss the sound of the helicopters engine which we used to get in shots. Assume it is digitally removed these days.

It was probably just added in in the first place. When I've ridden in helicopters, there was no chop, chop,chop noise at all. Just the white noise from the engine and air rushing past, pretty much like in a commercial jet.

[AustinF1]

I remember sitting at pouhon at spa and the heli rising up over the trees at the top of the hill, it was so close to the crowd and moving very dramatically. Got some superb shots though.

Interesting in that video that they mentioned Brazil, because I noticed that last weekend more than ever, F1 sitting in its bowl in the middle of a sprawling city. Also helps I’ve upgraded to a huge OLED tv which really shows off those shots.

Just got the big LG OLED a few months ago. I've never splurged on one of the top TVs before, but I don't regret this purchase even a little bit. This TV blew away all of even the most current TVs in the stores, and has been an amazing treat. Actual lifelike pictures during sporting events, etc. It's truly phenomenal, esp with 4K content.

[PayasYouRace]

It was probably just added in in the first place. When I've ridden in helicopters, there was no chop, chop,chop noise at all. Just the white noise from the engine and air rushing past, pretty much like in a commercial jet.

 

It wasn't the rotor chopping you'd hear on the broadcast. It was the noise you describe.

[Bliman]

Don’t know the answers to the OP questions.

Just to say I miss the sound of the helicopters engine which we used to get in shots. Assume it is digitally removed these days.

They can add it back if they want. They can even make it sound like the Apache or Chinook

[AustinF1]

It wasn't the rotor chopping you'd hear on the broadcast. It was the noise you describe.

Ah, gotcha. Thanks. My bad.

[John B]

Actually didn't one of them fall on the track at a NASCAR race a few years ago (I want to say Coca Cola 600).

Yes, it injured several fans and damaged cars, IIRC they stopped the race to allow repairs.