Flying TV Rising Above The Ashes

A company dedicated to the skills of aerial filming are continuing to operate legally and safely at a time when commercial airlines are grounded due to airspace closures and restrictions in light of Iceland's volcanic eruption of ash cloud.
Flying TV, created by broadcaster Mike Smith, operates the only freelance ready-to-go fleet of TV helicopters in Europe.
Scientists and aviation authorities are continuing to monitor the plume of volcanic ash that is moving southwards over the UK.
But with the entirety of UK airspace closed from noon on Thursday, a statement posted on the Flying TV website by Mike Smith announced: "Legally and safely our piston TV helicopters are still flying.
"We are getting reports of ash deposits at around 2-3000 ft - these will cause a problem for jet turbine helicopters, but not piston."
With regards to visibility he said: "Currently no issues filming, but we anticipate the ash to drop in larger concentrations later this week.
"We can fly to France and film because we are not operating public transport rules. French airspace is closed to all public transport flights - it is therefore not possible to fly correspondents or other non-FlyingTV pax into French airspace.
"Our piston-engine helicopters are more robust than the jet engines used by planes and other helicopters. And, in any case, there are no dangerous levels of volcanic ash at the altitudes we use.
"We've been filming through this period and the visibility and shot quality has been excellent."
Flying TV supply the majority of aerial filming in the UK with over 250 flights every year for broadcasters, independent producers, corporate and commercial productions.
For more information visit: www.flyingtv.co.uk
(BMcN/BMcC)