My 360 Air Helicopter Experience

I woke up yesterday a bit nervous for the day's photo shoot I had booked. I had already chewed my cuticles down until they were practically bleeding. The foreboding weather conditions seemed ominous to me at the very best. Since it was going to rain, I couldn't really do anything to my hair or put on too much makeup. All this stress over my impending helicopter ride ... or should I say rides?

As I drove down to the Chino Airport, crossing my fingers that I wouldn't get lost trying to find the 360 Air hanger. I did end up making a few wrong turns, but I got there in time. Seeing the elevated terror alert threat sign posted nice and promantly at the gate just made me feel great. I just knew I was going to have an interesting day.

So I finally arrived and met my new 360 Air client. They specialize in security, protection, and transportation for their clients. I'm currently redeveloping their web presence and I got to take some pretty cool photographs that we are going to feature on their new website.

My Pilot for the day was Andre and his Co-Pilot was Chuck. We were preparing to fly off in this cherry red Bell 206B3 helicopter. Did I mention that I'm afraid of heights and have NEVER been on a helicopter before in my life? I've only been on a plane a few times and hated that experience, so I didn't know what to expect.

Andre and Chuck really made me feel at ease and more comfortable by explaining everything that was going to happen and showed me around the helicopter, so that did help a lot.

Even though I was scared, I was not going to let that fear control me at all. My motion sickness problem, was going to be a totally different story.

While Andre and Chuck got everything ready for the flight, I was busy taking photographs. I was able to get this image that I just love of the pilot's helmets.

It was a motion blur mistake that turned out to be a happy accident. To me this motion blur looks like the helmets have halo's. To me it's like someone is always looking out for the pilots. They always need an angel looking out for them doing such a dangerous job.

Another photo that I really loved how it came out was of the flight suits that were hanging up next to the helmets. It was very low light in the office so the effect is pretty cool. I turned it into a black and white image. To me it gives  it an older feel.

This photograph also has a little bit of a blur to it. I was hand holding my camera and given the low light, I had to lower my shutter speed to allow light to expose my image for a longer amount of time. I can't hold totally still so it has a little blur.

I'm happy with this image though. Even with the blur, the imperfection in the photograph is probably what I like about it. I think the black and white also helps with that effect.

After getting to know my pilots and taking some behind the scenes photos in their hanger, it was getting very close to our take off time. I don't know if they could feel my anxiety or not, I tend to crack a whole lot of jokes when I'm nervous.

At least I was making them laugh. I didn't want to stress them out just because I was scared. They both new I was a helicopter virgin and applauded the fact that I was overcoming my fear of heights.

The time had finally come. Take off time. Chuck took a quick photo of me in front of the helicopter before I got all strapped in. I joked that this was my proof I was actually there.

Too bad I was having an overall bad look day, now I have a photo to prove it!

I don't know very many people that get to go up in helicopters so I didn't really care how I looked, just that I actually did it.

Into Andre and Chucks hands I went and got all strapped into the back seat of the helicopter. I even got to wear those cool head sets so I could talk to the pilots and not go even more deaf at the sounds of the blades spinning over head.

We took off and headed out towards the Fullerton airport. They had a lot of different image ideas that they wanted to capture for their website. I don't think I fully understood what exactly was in store for me quite yet.

Even though I was nervous, the flight to Fullerton wasn't bad at all. I didn't get sick or very scared. It was a pretty smooth ride. Andre and Chuck made sure I was comfortable and informed and they made me feel safe. The flight to Fullerton was pretty quick.

I even had to snap this quick shot of myself flying high over Orange County. I really wish I would have made some better wardrobe choices that day. It's always pretty difficult to take these type of self portraits with my camera since it's too big for  only one hand to hold, well at least for my little hand.

When we arrived at the airport we met up with the other pilots. I quickly found out that I was going to ride on the same helicopter model that was used for Magnum PI. I loved that show and everything but I never thought I'd be taking a ride in this copter.

It was a lot smaller then the last helicopter and this pilot told me that at one point in our flight, he'd be dropping me off on a remote hilltop so I can take approach and take off photos of the two birds. He also told me that they would also remove the door on my side so I could hang out and take photos of the other helicopter while we were both in the air.

That's right ladies and gentlemen, no door. I guess this is the ultimate scared of heights test right? No matter what I promised myself I wasn't going to let them see me sweat. I was going to do my job and do it to the best of my ability. I just hoped I would survive.

I was then traded off to the "Magnum PI" helicopter for my next series of photos. This was more of a training flight for these pilots that I was hitching a ride on. I wasn't expecting for this ride to be so bumpy and woozy. The bad weather coming in didn't help matters either.

This helicopter is much more maneuverable so it can turn and bank and go up and down and all kinds of ways. I can't ever do anything in a moving vehicle besides look at the road without getting motion sick, so I don't know what made me think riding in a helicopter and taking photos at the same time would be any different. This ride really made me want to lose my waffles.

It took everything I had not to use my barf bag on this flight, and it seemed like we were up there forever before we got to that hilltop they were going to drop me off at. I couldn't wait to get on that hilltop. Anything to stop the world from spinning and making my stomach do flip flops. I really should have taken a motion sickness pill or something.

One of the pilots took his daughter up for her first ride with us and I know she was hoping I wasn't going to spew all over the place while we were up there. I know that's what I would be thinking. I'm proud to say, I did not up chuck!

So now I'm standing alone on a hilltop taking photos of these two helicopters coming in and going. I was really looking forward to this part because I thought it would help settle my stomach, but it didn't. I actually stayed nauseous for the rest of the day.  

Once I got some images of them doing that, it was time for the big moment. They landed and took the door off the helicopter and strapped me in. I swear, my ass was like hanging over the edge and I could look straight down at the ground.

I think this either makes me really cool or totally crazy, but I did it. I rode on a helicopter with no door and had my upper body and head with my camera out the door to take these images of the other helicopter flying around us.

I personally think it makes me more cool than crazy. But that's just my opinion. I was so happy that we didn't spend a whole lot of time with this whole "no door" on the copter idea. We were quickly done and I was once again taken to the hilltop wear I waited for Andre and Chuck to land and pick me up for our return flight to Chino airport.

I was able to get this cool image of them as they were landing. I still think it's pretty cool to have the shutter spead on my camera so fast that I can freeze helicopter blades in mid flight. It was a little dark from the approaching storm, but I think the clouds look really nice in the backgound.

The flight back to Chino was another quick one. I made some jokes about not losing my breakfast and we were back home in no time. I took some final images for my new client before I went home to get some rest after this amazing experience.

Even with the motion sickness, I had a lot of fun. Andre and Chuck are excellent pilots and great guys. They are true professionals. This day didn't feel like work at all, except for the working not to lose my breakfast part.

I got to experience something that most people will never get to experience in their lives. I don't get to do that every day, so this is one day to remember. Thanks guys!