With more than 30 years of aviation experience here in Los Angeles, you could say we’ve had a lot of chances to participate in aerial filming. In fact, to help manage the workload, we partner with Indie Aerials, which specializes in helicopter aerial filming for television, film, music videos and commercials.
While we’ve filmed all kinds of fun subjects, we just had to share this special one. General Electric’s media team hired us to help film a piece with L.A. County Fire’s Sikorsky Firehawks. This short video is meant to highlight GE engines, but for us helicopter fanatics, just seeing this amazing helicopter at work protecting the homes and lives of Los Angeles County’s 5 million residents is a surge of pride. With the fire season in full swing here, these brave pilots and their support teams deserve a big pat on the back.
https://youtu.be/N8ORmS63auw?feature=shared
We had a lot of fun filming this one. Our own Peter Lowry flew the Robinson R44 helicopter while veteran cinematographer and director of photography Doug Holgate (Thor, Transformers, Independence Day and Tomorrow Never Dies) operated the gyro stabilized Cineflex camera system.
Helicopters remain the film industry’s preferred aerial filming platform. However, it takes a special kind of pilot and operation to help make that good shot great. We attribute that to the amazing relationships we’ve built with a handful of the best aerial directors of photography in the business. Our pilots and photographers work together as one, communicating in a way that gets that awesome shot every time.
We hope you enjoy the video. Feel free to share it and please, stay safe out there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 5 SEO-optimized FAQs specifically tailored to the LA County Fire Sikorsky Firehawk Aerial Filming blog post:
1. What equipment was used to film the LA County Fire Sikorsky Firehawk helicopters?
Answer: The aerial shoot featured a Robinson R44 helicopter flown by Group 3 Aviation pilot Peter Lowry, equipped with a specialized Cineflex gyro-stabilized camera system. The camera system was operated by veteran Hollywood director of photography Doug Holgate (Thor, Transformers, Independence Day).
2. Who partnered with Group 3 Aviation to produce the LA County Fire video?
Answer: Group 3 Aviation collaborated with Indie Aerials (a production company specializing in aerial filming for film, TV, and commercials) and General Electric’s media team. The project was designed to showcase GE’s engines powering the LA County Fire Department’s Sikorsky Firehawk helicopters.
3. Why are helicopters preferred over drones for filming aerial movie and video scenes?
Answer: Helicopters remain the film industry’s preferred platform for complex aerial cinematography because they can carry heavy, professional gyro-stabilized camera rigs (like Cineflex systems), operate across a much wider altitude and speed range, and handle demanding flight maneuvers that drones cannot replicate.
4. Does Group 3 Aviation offer aerial cinematography and filming services in Los Angeles?
Answer: Yes. With over 30 years of aviation experience in Los Angeles, Group 3 Aviation offers professional aerial photography, video, and charter services. Partnering with top aerial directors of photography, they provide custom flight paths for feature films, television shows, commercials, and music videos.
5. What role do Sikorsky Firehawk helicopters play in Los Angeles County?
Answer: The Sikorsky Firehawk is a critical firefighting and rescue helicopter operated by the LA County Fire Department. Powered by GE engines, these aircraft perform water drops, search and rescue missions, and emergency transport to protect more than 5 million residents across Los Angeles County.
