richiemo From United States of America, joined Jul 2008, 196 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 4480 times:
I notice so many great photos on a.net of planes arriving and departing LAX that are taken right above the runways, with planes almost directly below the photographer. And they're obviously not taken from the tower. Where are all of these taken from, helicopters hovering over LAX? And why does this appear to be more common at LAX than anywhere else. Great stuff.
timz From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 6477 posts, RR: 8 Reply 1, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 4455 times:
We had the impression they were taken from fixed-wing aircraft, presumably at 2500-3500 ft. LAX allows VFR flights over the airport at that altitude; do other airports?
CX Flyboy From Hong Kong, joined Dec 1999, 6364 posts, RR: 56 Reply 2, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 4234 times:
Some from helicopters,some from fixed wing aircraft,both having advantages and disadvantages. It is common in LAX because they allow the VFR flights overhead. Not many other airports allow that.
OB1504 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 2974 posts, RR: 8 Reply 3, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 4094 times:
There's a VFR transition route through the Los Angeles Class B airspace that takes aircraft directly over the field at 2,500 feet.
Similarly, I've transitioned through the Class C airspace surrounding Fort Lauderdale by flying directly over the field at the same altitude (which is indeed an amazing experience), but it's not a charted procedure like at LAX.
71Zulu From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 2762 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 4027 times:
Quoting timz (Reply 1): LAX allows VFR flights over the airport at that altitude; do other airports?
If you leave NEW heading west, ATC will often send you right over the top of MSY and there's even a VFR corridor shown on the sectional. Makes for some interesting views with the airline traffic below you.
runner13 From United States of America, joined Jun 2010, 228 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 3517 times:
Right over the top of an airport at 2500 is the safest and best place to be.
runner13 From United States of America, joined Jun 2010, 228 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 3 days ago) and read 3334 times:
Quoting Airvan00 (Reply 6): Assuming the overshoot procedure is to A2000
Even if it's not, if they go around last minute, still wont even come close. If they decide to go around far enough out usually because of a mechanical issue as in gear or flaps there is plenty of time to climb above or vector away. Talking from experience from plenty of lifeflight helicoptors, and sight seeing VFR guys, crossing midfield at 2500 is the best place. When working I don't even think twice about them.
soon7x7 From United States of America, joined May 2006, 2813 posts, RR: 14 Reply 8, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 3155 times:
Last week I overflew JFK to the VOR and back out with no problem and that was upon immediate request, (classB). LGA got me over their runway intersection at 1200' as I had an aerial shoot nearby at a power plant (also class B). So yes, you can obtain passage through controlled airspace in most cases. LAX has consistently good lighting that one can count on especially when spending nice change $$$ on a chopper is concerned. The airport I always depart from has much in the way of chopper instruction and their pattern work always parallels the active where we have a lot of WN 37's arriving and departing. The good images you have seen I suspect are recorded from choppers, not fixed wing aircraft. At 2500 feet you would need perfect timing, a longer focal length lens and repeated passes. With a chopper you could effectively in 1 hour obtain many arrival/ departure shots just by flying patterns. In addition, lower altitude, no door, shorter focal length, etc...bring your AMEX card!...$500.00-$2500.00/hr depending on type!
megatop412 From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 259 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 3148 times:
The helicopter shots are old news by now. I want to start a new fad; shooting airliners from hot air baloons! I finally have a place to put my tripod
soon7x7 From United States of America, joined May 2006, 2813 posts, RR: 14 Reply 10, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 3059 times:
timz From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 6477 posts, RR: 8 Reply 11, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 3002 times:
Quoting soon7x7 (Reply 8): The good images you have seen I suspect are recorded from choppers, not fixed wing aircraft.
The 2007 chart says only fixed-wings allowed on the route that passes above the east end of runways 24 (the SMO 128-deg radial).
soon7x7 From United States of America, joined May 2006, 2813 posts, RR: 14 Reply 12, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 2923 times:
Not familiar with LAX charts but choppers are handled differently anywhere I have seen them operate. Still can't believe the tight low shots are from fixed wing aircraft.
Accidentally From United States of America, joined Dec 2000, 636 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (1 year 3 months 2 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 2905 times:
Quoting megatop412 (Reply 9): The helicopter shots are old news by now. I want to start a new fad; shooting airliners from hot air baloons! I finally have a place to put my tripod
Man that sounds like a super cool idea that I'd love to try...seriously.
What are the cons - besides being in an aircraft that basically flies wherever the hell it feels like (correct me please if I've misunderstood control of a balloon)?
You guys will love these videos of Bill Daniels' "Cablevision Tool" Lear 35 doing some sweet flybys past a balloon. Some are just hauling ass and sound so cool! Some are far away, some are takeoff/landing from a distance, and they even barrell roll past the balloon. This is one of my favorite all-time videos.
I think the most interesting part of it all is the sound - obviously much more a benefit to Videographers lol but I can't think of another way to hear a LearJet blast past you 5000ft up in dead silence with nothing around to reflect it. Truely an unforgettable experience, I'm sure.
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