Fixed wing aircraft
(i.e., aircraft, gliders, ultra lights) flying may
be adversely affected by changing natural conditions
such as wind, temperature and time of day. Manmade
conditions such as weight, externally mounted equipment
and the discharge of pyrotechnics and/or smoke can
also affect the pilots ability to fly safely. Special
precautions should be taken to ensure safety when working
around aircraft that are operating in close proximity
to camera, cast and crew, including taxiing, take off
and landing.
- All Aerial Coordinators and/or Pilots in Command
shall possess a current FAA approved Motion Picture
and Television Operations Manual and accompanying
Waiver.
The Waiver is specific to those Federal Aviation
Regulations specified in the approved manual. Additionally,
a copy of the FAA required Plan of Activity and approved
Motion Picture and Television Operations Manual will
be available to the Production Company prior to all
fixed-wing operations.
- The Pilot in Command is at all times the final
authority over his/her airplane and shall be in command
over his/her flight operations and/or related activities
- Communications: The Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot
in Command will coordinate with the designated production
representative and implement a plan for communications
between the participants in the air and on the ground.
The plan will incorporate the following:
a) Designated ground contact personnel.
b) Air to ground radios, VHF or FM.
c) Assignment of discreet frequencies (channels).
d) Visual signals (flags, specified hand signals,
light or flare) shall be used to halt filming in
the event of lost communications or inability to
utilize radios.
e) Abort signals, audible and visual to halt filming
in the event of unforeseen circumstances or safety
hazards.
- Necessary Crew and Persons Authorized
Flight operations closer than 500 feet to persons
will include only those persons consenting to be
in close proximity to the aircraft and who are directly
involved and necessary for the filming.
The Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command and
the designated production and security personnel
will maintain an area perimeter to insure that no
authorized persons are allowed within 500 feet of
the flight operations.
- A preplanned stunt or special effect sequence will
not be changed in any way without the authorization
of the Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command.
- At the start of each day’s filming the Aerial
Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command and the designated
production representative will conduct a briefing
/ SAFETY MEETING for the production staff of those
persons necessary for filming, including emergency,
safety and security personnel.
Note: A subsequent briefing/SAFETY MEETING may also
be required as necessary for an intended action.
Both meetings shall include the following:
a) Pertinent items and the special provisions of
the Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command(s)
Motion Picture and Television Operations Manual and
accompanying Waiver along with any additional provisions
issued by the local FAA Flight Standards District
Office.
b) Possible risk to personnel that are involved.
c) Safeguards to personnel and equipment.
d) Communications.
e) Emergency procedures.
f) Location of boundaries.
g) Local governmental limitations or restrictions,
if any.
- The Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command
shall designate one person as the Ground safety contact
with no other responsibilities.
- If there is a question as to safety of any aerial
filming sequence involving low, over-the-camera shots,
a briefing/Safety Meeting shall be held between the
Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command and concerned
persons as to whether the use of a locked-off camera
is necessary.
- Aircraft engines shall not be started and the aircraft
shall not be taxied in spectator, cast or crew areas
unless appropriate measures are taken to preclude
creating a hazard to spectators, cast or crew.
- Cast, crew and equipment shall be protected from
debris thrown back by airplanes taxiing out or taking
off.
- If an aircraft is being filmed with the engine
running, adequate safety precautions shall be taken
in connection with activity in front of the propeller,
which includes designated ground personnel.
- No smoking is permitted within one hundred feet
(100') of the aircraft or fuel support truck.
- Aircraft structures can be damaged easily while
on the ground. Never push, handle, sit on or in,
or lay any objects of any kind on an aircraft without
the pilot's permission.
- If a foreign object falls into or against an aircraft,
report it immediately to the Aerial Coordinator and/or
Pilot in Command.
- Each end of an operational runway or landing area
should be cleared during take-off and landing and
appropriate safety precautions should be taken as
to the placement of camera equipment when filming
the take-off or landing.
- Low level acrobatic maneuvers shall be conducted
in a direction, which will most nearly parallel the
boundaries of the designated crew and equipment area
or in a direction away from such areas.
- When working on location or utilizing Department
of Defense aircraft, local agencies, regional police,
fire, or park department regulations or military
guidelines may vary from this bulletin. The more
stringent guidelines will always be in effect. Additionally
permits may be required for landing or refueling
operations.
- The production company must notify all cast and
crew members and the front of the studio call sheet
shall contain a statement to the effect that:
" An aircraft is being used and will be flown in close proximity to crew
and equipment. Anyone objecting will notify the production manager or 1st AD
prior to any filming."
A COPY OF THIS BULLETIN SHALL BE ATTACHED
TO THE CALL SHEET ON DAYS THE AIRCRAFT IS BEING UTILIZED
- Except where necessary for takeoff or landing,
the FAA prohibits the operation of an aircraft below
the following altitudes:
a) Over Congested Areas
Over any congested area of a city, town or settlement,
or over any open-air assembly of persons, an altitude
of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a
horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
b) Over other than Congested Areas
An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except
over open water or sparsely populated areas. In that
case, the aircraft may not be operated closer than
500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle or structure.
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