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Helicopter Training Boston Blog

Cold Weather Flying in New England

January 10th, 2010

Just another day at our Boston Massachusetts helicopter flight school. While we had our ships out flying, we decided to take advantage and put together a quick photo op. With some great pilots at the controls, we managed to get a few shots before we all went our separate ways. Some great New England cold weather flying, with all the machines performing very well in the cold.

R22 In Flight over Massachusetts

R22 In Flight over Massachusetts

We managed to get pictures over the Merrimack River in Massachusetts, and in Southern New Hampshire.

R22 In Flight over Southern New Hampshire

R22 In Flight over Southern New Hampshire

This particular R-22 is one which was overhauled by our I/A David Beach. Not too many people out there that can overhaul a helicopter. We have about 350 hours since overhaul on this machine. Well done Dave!

Overhead Shot of our R-22 Boston Massachusetts

Overhead Shot of our R-22 Boston Massachusetts

Sunset Southern Maine

Sunset Southern Maine

Our part of the flight ended up with hours of cross country flying over Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire, and Maine. Several landings at different spots and an amazing sunset heading west back to New Hampshire…what a nice evening!

Filming Our Helicopter School Commercial

July 14th, 2009

With our upcoming camera work filming the feature film “The Clear”, we were ready to utilize the production company to assist us with marketing our helicopter school to the Boston and Southern New Hampshire area. The director had a vision of what the helicopter school short video should entail, and we all agreed that the shoot seemed to be headed in the right direction. We also agreed that doing the commercial shoot for our school would be a good experience for one of our students, Andy. Two helicopters, two cameraman, and 3 pilots would be the crew for filming our helicopters.

Utilizing two of our helicopters – R-22 722PG and R-44 7185P, we discussed our route, formation plans, and headed out to the ramp.

R-22 722PG ready for filming

R-22 722PG ready for filming

Our R-44

Our R-44

Chris, Andy and I led Seng and Justin of SEEntertainment out to the ramp to watch us service the helicopters.

Chris, Curt, Andy fueling the R-44

Chris, Curt, Andy fueling the R-44

Our first run for filming our ships would be into the Class B Boston airspace. As a filght of two, the coordination was much easier.

Chris and Andy over the harbor

Chris and Andy over the harbor

Around the financial district and the Pru, and back to Lawrence to discuss the next phase.

Prudential Boston

Prudential Boston

Our next stop would be the coastline of Northern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. Seng switched places with Justin and would ride with me in the R-22 to get video of the 44, and Justin would be taking stills from the 44.

NAFA Crew

NAFA Crew

Helicopter over Newburyport

Helicopter over Newburyport

Our flight continued east with the Merrimack River toward Newburyport and the Southern New Hampshire coastline. A brief turn to the South toward the Boston coastline, then return to Lawrence.

Overall the shoot went well. Lots of formation flying, some experience for one of our students, and a great shoot with the guys from SEEntertainment. Thanks to Justin and Seng for their help.

We’re all looking forward to the North Andover Flight Academy Commercial, I will post it as soon as it is finished.

I will also talk about our movie shoot with the SEE production company on the upcoming movie “The Clear”. Looks like that will be a fun day of helicopter flying.