New TV helicopter launched

A helicopter, purpose built with fixed television cameras, is set to take off from a Yorkshire base.
Dubbed 'a flying studio', the Robinson R44 is one of only two in the UK permanently rigged and ready for film work. Fitted with four cameras and onboard recording suite the £450,000 helicopter, registered G-OTVI, also has the ability to provide live transmissions and air ground communications.
The helicopter is being run by Hields Aviation, which has its headquarters at Sherburn Airfield at Sherburn-in-Elmet in North Yorkshire.
James Booth, deputy chief pilot, said Hields had a dedicated staff which can act as film crew. Booth said the equipment had already attracted interest from independent production companies and establishments including Granada and Yorkshire TV, who were interested in using the helicopter to film news stories and drama episodes.
He said the helicopter was the next move in the company's expansion plan. "With permanent cameras it is much more cost effective for the smaller production companies to hire this helicopter as they don't have to pay extra to rig the cameras up," he said. “We operate on a hourly rate basis with no fixed fee.”
(GB)