[FedCom] News Helicopters

[Tom Hirsch]

I have also shot scores of times from the helicopter of 2 TV stations where I
have worked, and I can verify that Butch's info is correct.  Because of the
cost of careless/negligence is so high (double digit millions of dollars in
liability at the minimum) in claims, lawsuits, etc; plus FAA fines, loss of
aviation licenses, and other issues, very few stations or pilots are willing to
do foolish or unsafe things.  Those few who may try to do unsafe things are
sure to be quickly discovered by the authorities and/or competing stations.
And those who push the limits often pay a heavy price from crashes (sometimes
the ultimate price).  You may recall that in one  TV copter crash a few years
ago, both the pilot & photographer died while attempting something that was
outside of safe operating procedures.
   My bosses and pilots always stress that safe operation is always the primary
consideration, and we won't fly if weather or other issues make it unsafe.
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ButchHenderson wrote:

> I have been in news helicopters for 2 different organizations in 2
> different citys and in both situations there is a very strict heirarchy of
> how things go.