2011Operating forum
Steadicam use in helicopter aerial filming
15 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- Steadicam should not be used in helicopters due to wind conditions and extreme forces that make usable shots impossible and create safety hazards.
- A bungee cord suspension system arranged in an X pattern can be rigged in a helicopter doorway to suspend a camera, with the operator attached to safety lines at multiple points.
- Gyroscopic stabilization systems paired with alternative mounting methods can effectively reduce vibration in helicopter footage without requiring a Steadicam.
- The specific helicopter model significantly affects what stabilization methods and results are achievable.
- Handheld operation with proper safety harnesses is an alternative to Steadicam, requiring attachment to at least two anchor points with one behind the operator.
- Professional-grade systems designed specifically for aerial work, such as gyro-stabilized rigs and FAA-certified equipment, are safer and more effective than Steadicam for helicopter operations.
Depends on
- Advice is based on practical experience rather than formal testing.
- The conversation involved disagreement about whether experienced operators had successfully used Steadicam in helicopters, with some claiming success and others disputing those claims.
- Safety concerns mentioned relate to extreme G-forces during helicopter maneuvers that exceed what normal equipment is designed to withstand.
- The effectiveness of alternative methods depends on helicopter type and specific operating conditions.