Guidelines

1. Helicopter External Loads: Traditional helicopter motion picture activities include stunt persons transferring, air to air between helicopter and airplane, air to ground between surface vehicles or persons, Rappelling, Fast Roping and many other scenarios where essential personnel and equipment may be required outside the helicopter. Stunt persons and cameramen are often called upon to stand upon or hang from landing gear skids, cargo hooks, trapeze devices, bungee cords, cables, ladders, long-lines, etc. Safe completion of these operations require the complete understanding and coordination of all parties involved, i.e., the Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command the Designated Production Representative, Stunt Persons, Helicopter Riggers, Special Effects and Grip Riggers and essential ground crew.
2. Pilot in Command: The Pilot in Command is at all times the final authority over his/her airplane and should be in command over his/hers flight operations and/or related activities. The Pilot in Command and/or Aerial Coordinator should have the authority to abort any flight operation in the interest of safety.
3. Personnel Involved: Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command, essential personnel to be flown, helicopter rigging, safety and production personnel.
4. Briefing: Briefings will be conducted by the Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command, specific to the scheduled helicopter external load operations and in compliance with the approved Motion Picture Operations Manual, briefing provisions.
5. Risk Management: Participants will conduct a thorough evaluation of the operations to be conducted and the potential risk to all personnel, if any.
6. Communication: Communication must exist at all times between the pilot, the stunt person(s) and other essential personnel. This can be accomplished utilizing radios, intercoms, or pre-briefed visual signals. Additionally, the pilot must be able to maintain visual contact with the stunt person(s) and other essential personnel in the event of lost communications. If visual contact cannot be maintained a third party, who can maintain visual contact, will be used. This person may be on board the helicopter, on the ground, or in another aircraft.
7. Attaching Methods and Devices: All personnel must be attached to the aircraft while in flight, unless those persons are performing an essential function outside the aircraft requiring them to depart the aircraft in flight, e.g. parachuting or transfers. Seat belts, cables and safety lines will be attached to existing helicopter hard points, seat belt attach points, cargo tie down points, airframe bridles, or other suitable airframe locations. Attaching devices, i.e., cables, carabineers, braided nylon climbing rope, nylon straps, steel clevises, body harnesses, etc., are normally provided by the special effects, grips and stunt personnel. All of the above attaching devices must have load ratings established by the manufacturer in compliance with various industry and government specifications and established Motion Picture safety guidelines. A person will never be attached to a load release device.
8. Parachutes: If parachutes are to be utilized, they must be of an FAA approved type, must have been packed and certified within the preceding 120 days. While wearing a parachute, the parachutist must not be attached to the aircraft, except during takeoff and landing! An accidental parachute opening while attached to the Helicopter could have a serious negative effect on the aircraft and parachutist.
9. Rappelling:
   
   1. Rappelling Pilot Qualifications:
      
      1. Possess a letter of competency or an appropriate logbook entry indicating compliance with the pilot provisions of 14 CFR Part 133; or
      2. Be qualified on the basis of previous experience and safety record; or
      3. An actual flight, demonstrating the pilot’s knowledge and skill regarding repelling operations.
   2. Rappeller Qualifications:
      
      1. Rappellers (Stunt Persons) and Spotters, will be required to demonstrate their rappelling ability during required familiarization flights.
      2. The Aerial Coordinator and / or Pilot in Command will have the authority to withhold approval of any rappeller (Stunt Person) or spotter.
10. Rappelling Special Provisions: The Aerial Coordinator or the Pilot in Command has the authority to cancel or delete any activity or event, if in their opinion, the safety of persons or property on the ground, or in the air, is at risk or if there is a contravention to the provisions of their Motion Picture Waiver.
11. Weight and Balance: Due to the nature of helicopter, external loads involving essential persons or equipment, diligent review and compliance with the manufacturer’s weight and balance data is required. Prior to the initial flight of a new external load configuration, hovering test should be conducted to verify the lateral and longitudinal centers of gravity and maximum allowable helicopter weight.
12. Rappelling Pilots Check List:
    
    1. Aircraft:
       
       1. Load bearing capacity and method of securing of all attaching devices related to the external load.
       2. Verification of load bearing capacity and anticipated loads on the airframe, attach points to be utilized.
       3. Accomplish Weight and Balance of the external load, including, if necessary, the possible release or departure of the external load.
       4. Verify operation of load release device, if any. Note: A person will never be attached to a load release device.
    2. Personnel:
       
       1. Verify that only essential personnel are onboard the aircraft.
       2. Confirm essential personnel specific duties and responsibilities.
       3. Communications check, audio, and visual signals.
       4. Review emergency procedures specific to the external load operation with all essential personnel.
       5. Review potential risk, if any, with the essential personnel.
       6. No essential personnel may participate in the helicopter external load operation unless they have read, understood, and agreed to comply with the conditions of the Waiver Holders, Certificate of Waiver and its special provisions, if any.
    3. Rappel Equipment:
       
       1. Rope size, appropriate to the rappel (friction) device being used, will be required for all Rappel operations.
       2. Rope strength, for each specific load, a safety factor of 10:1 between the strength of the weakest piece of attaching equipment and the load to be carried, will be utilized. The absolute minimum tensile strength of any Rappel rope will be 5000 lbs. tested to NFPA and/or other regulatory standards.
       3. Ropes will have a rubber jacket or other appropriate edge protection to give protection on door sills and edges when using floor attach points.
       4. Carabineers, steel, or aluminum must have a minimum tensile strength of 5000 lbs. be a locking type, and be tested to NFPA and/or other regulatory standards.
       5. Cutting devices, knifes, cable cutters, etc. sufficient to cut any attaching device will be provided to the spotter or safety persons for use in an emergency.
       6. Rappel ropes will have a minimum of two airframe attach points per rope, with test strengths equal to or greater than 5000 lbs. per rappeller.
13. Fast Roping:
    
    1. Fast Roping Pilot Qualifications:
       
       1. Possess a letter of competency or an appropriate logbook entry indicating compliance with the pilot provisions of 14 CFR Part 133; or
       2. be qualified, based on previous experience and safety record; or
       3. an actual flight, demonstrating the pilot’s knowledge and basic skills required to conduct Fast Rope vertical reference type operations.
    2. Fast Rope Personnel Qualifications:
       
       1. Fast Ropers (Stunt Persons) and Spotters, will be required to demonstrate their ability during required familiarization flights.
       2. The Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command will have the authority to withhold approval of any Fast Roper (Stunt Person) or spotter.
    3. Fast Roping Special Provisions:
       
       1. The Aerial Coordinator or the Pilot in Command has the authority to cancel or delete any activity or event, if in their opinion, the safety of persons or property on the ground or in the air is at risk, or if there is a contravention to the provisions of their Motion Picture Waiver.
    4. Fast Rope Equipment:
       
       1. Airframe attach points must be of an FAA approved type, providing sufficient lateral arm to extend beyond the outermost portion of the helicopter airframe and be certified for a 10:1 weight bearing capacity.
       2. Rope size, appropriate to the rappel (friction) device being used, will be required for all fast rope operations.
       3. Fast Rope strength, for each specific load, a safety factor of 10:1 between the strength of the weakest piece of attaching equipment and the load to be carried, will be utilized. The absolute minimum tensile strength of any Fast Rope will be 9000 lbs. and have a high melting point as designed for fast rope/rappelling operations.
       4. Cutting devices, knifes, cable cutters, etc. sufficient to cut any attaching device will be provided to the spotter or safety persons for use in an emergency.
       5. Fast Ropes will have a minimum of two airframe attach points per rope and have the appropriate rated strength.
14. Weight and Balance: See Paragraph 11.
15. Pilots Check List: See Paragraphs 12 A B C.

Related Bulletins

Alternative Driving Systems

Boating and Watercraft

Camera Boom Vehicles

Camera Cars

Camera Cars – Power Line Distance Requirements

Fixed-Wing Aircraft

Fixed-Wing Aircraft – External Loads

Free Driving

Gasoline Operated Equipment

Helicopters

Helicopters – External Loads

Hot Air Balloons

Hot Air Balloons – External Loads

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Guidelines

Helicopter flying accuracy may be adversely affected by changing natural conditions such as wind, air density, humidity, and time of day. Manmade conditions such as weight, weight distribution, center of gravity and/or the discharge of pyrotechnics in close proximity disturbing airflow around the tail rotor, can also affect the ability of the helicopter to fly. Special precautions should be taken to ensure safety when working in any extreme temperatures or terrain, e.g., mountains and deserts.

1. All Aerial Coordinators and/or Pilots in Command should 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 aerial operations.
2. The Pilot in Command is at all times the final authority over his/her helicopter and should be in command of his/her flight operations and/or related activities. The Pilot in Command and/or Aerial Coordinator should have the authority to abort any flight operation in the interest of safety. Abort signals should be specified ahead of time.
3. Communications: The Aerial Coordinator and/or the 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:
   1. Designated ground contact personnel
   2. Air to ground radios, VHF or FM
   3. Assignment of discreet frequencies (channels)
   4. Visual signals (flags, specified hand signals, light or flare) should be used to halt filming in the event of lost communications or inability to utilize radios
   5. Abort signals, audible and visual to halt filming in the event of unforeseen circumstances or safety hazards
4. 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 and those persons necessary for filming, including emergency, safety and security personnel. A subsequent briefing/safety meeting should be required as necessary for intended action sequences and/or scenes. All safety meetings should include the following:
   1. Pertinent items and the special provisions of the Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot(s) in Command, Motion Picture and Television Operations Manual and accompanying Waiver, along with any additional provisions issued by the local FAA Flight Standards District Office
   2. Possible risk to personnel who are involved
   3. Safeguards to personnel and equipment
   4. Communications
   5. Emergency procedures
   6. Location of boundaries
   7. Local governmental limitations or restrictions (if any)
5. A preplanned stunt and/or special effect sequence will not be changed in any way without the authorization of the Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command. No changes should be made once the helicopter(s) is/are airborne.
6. The Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command should designate one person as the Ground safety contact with no other responsibilities. The helicopter support truck Operator may be designated as the ground safety contact around the helicopter, if qualified.
7. If there is a question as to safety of any aerial filming sequence involving low, over-the-camera shots, a briefing/safety meeting should 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.
8. No smoking within 100 feet of the helicopter or support fuel truck.
9. Remain at least 50 feet away from the helicopter unless directed by the Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command or ground safety contact. Under no circumstances should you approach the helicopter without permission from the ground safety contact or the Pilot in Command.
10. Whether the rotors are turning or not, always approach and leave the helicopter from the front. Prior to your approach of the helicopter you should:
    1. Make acknowledged eye contact with the pilot;
    2. Proceed to the helicopter only after the pilot has acknowledged your presence and waves you forward;
    3. Never run;
    4. Walk, looking forward at all times;
    5. Never walk downhill towards a helicopter;
    6. Never walk uphill away from a helicopter.
11. Never walk near or around the rear and tail sections of the helicopter, whether it is running or not.
12. Never walk under the tail section of the helicopter, whether it is running or not.
13. Carry all equipment parallel to the ground when within 50 feet of a helicopter. Do not vertically extend any equipment, (i.e., cameras, lights, or sound boom) into rotor blades, whether it is running or not.
14. Necessary Crew and Persons Authorized: Flight operations closer than 500 feet of persons will include only those persons consenting to be in close proximity to the aircraft and who are directly involved and necessary for 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 unauthorized persons are allowed within 500 feet of the flight operations.
15. Personal Protective Equipment should be utilized as required.
16. Never under any circumstance throw anything such as grip tape, clothing, paper, etc. around the helicopter, whether it is running or not.
17. The landing area should be cleared of debris and, where necessary, wet down. Ensure all equipment is tied down or stored away from the area.
18. Do not wear any loose clothing that may blow off, such as hats, when operating near a running helicopter. Protect your eyes, as well as your equipment, when helicopter is landing or taking off.
19. Rotor blades and fuselage can be easily damaged 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.
20. If a foreign object falls into or against an aircraft, report it immediately to the pilot or aerial coordinator.
21. Never allow cast or crew to occupy an aircraft while engines are running or rotors are turning, unless authorized by the Pilot in Command.
22. When working on location or when utilizing Department of Defense aircraft, local agencies, regional police, fire, park department regulations, or military guidelines may vary from this bulletin. The more stringent guidelines will always be in effect. Additional permits may be required for landing or refueling operations.
23. The production company must notify all cast and crew members and the front of the studio call sheet should 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.”

Related Bulletins

Alternative Driving Systems

Boating and Watercraft

Camera Boom Vehicles

Camera Cars

Camera Cars – Power Line Distance Requirements

Fixed-Wing Aircraft

Fixed-Wing Aircraft – External Loads

Free Driving

Gasoline Operated Equipment

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Helicopters – External Loads

Hot Air Balloons

Hot Air Balloons – External Loads

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Related Bulletins

Alternative Driving Systems

Boating and Watercraft

Camera Boom Vehicles

Camera Cars

Camera Cars – Power Line Distance Requirements

Fixed-Wing Aircraft

Fixed-Wing Aircraft – External Loads

Free Driving

Gasoline Operated Equipment

Helicopters

Helicopters – External Loads

Hot Air Balloons

Hot Air Balloons – External Loads

Motorcycles

Non-Camera Utility Vehicles

Process Trailers and Towed Vehicles

Railroads

Vehicle Restraint Systems

Guidelines

These guidelines apply to any towed vehicle or trailer specifically designed to carry personnel, equipment or other vehicles.

Process trailers are towed by a camera car or heavier equipment designed to carry or pull a load of the size required for the shot.

Any vehicle or camera platform towed by a camera car shall be considered to be part of the camera car and subject to all requirements outlined under Safety Bulletin: Camera Cars.

Only essential persons required for the shot shall be on the towed vehicle, all other persons shall be on the camera car. Towing combinations does not increase the allowable persons outlined in item 6 and note (1) of Safety Bulletin: Camera Cars.

All equipment, including but not limited to specialized equipment such as camera dollies, boom arms, lighting fixtures, grip equipment or special effects equipment shall be secured to the vehicle or have a safety strap.

Related Bulletins

Alternative Driving Systems

Boating and Watercraft

Camera Boom Vehicles

Camera Cars

Camera Cars – Power Line Distance Requirements

Fixed-Wing Aircraft

Fixed-Wing Aircraft – External Loads

Free Driving

Gasoline Operated Equipment

Helicopters

Helicopters – External Loads

Hot Air Balloons

Hot Air Balloons – External Loads

Motorcycles

Non-Camera Utility Vehicles

Process Trailers and Towed Vehicles

Railroads

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Guidelines

A Traditional Camera Car (“camera car”) includes any self propelled vehicle specifically engineered for the mounting and manning of cameras and other equipment for the primary purpose of filming from a stationary or moving vehicle. Excluded from these guidelines are specialty tracking vehicles, including but not limited to, motorized process vehicles, and powered camera vehicles (such as ATV, golf carts, snowmobiles, rally cars, camera bikes, side cars and other like vehicles). The addition of a process trailer/towed vehicle to a camera car shall make that vehicle also subject to the provisions of Safety Bulletin: Process Trailers and Towed Vehicles. The addition of any manned or unmanned camera boom/crane or arm to a camera car shall make that vehicle also subject to the provisions of Safety Bulletin: Camera Boom Vehicles. The addition of anything extending beyond the camera car shall make that vehicle also subject to the provisions of Safety Bulletin: Camera Car – Power Line Distance Requirements.

Note: The driver/operator has the authority to suspend operation of the vehicle for any reason that he or she deems to be unsafe.

Considerations for Using a Traditional Camera Car/Process Trailer

1. When the action of the performer interferes with their ability to drive.
2. When the driver’s vision will be substantially impaired by:
   1. Dust
   2. Spray (when driving through water, mud, etc.)
   3. Blinding lights
   4. Restrictive covering over the windshield
   5. Smoke
   6. Any other conditions which will substantially restrict the driver’s normal vision.
3. When the speed of the vehicle varies from what is normally safe for the conditions of the driving surface.
4. When other conditions such as obstacles or difficulty of terrain will exist or off-road driving will occur.
5. When any aircraft, fixed-wing or helicopter is flown in close proximity to the vehicle creating a hazardous driving condition for the performer(s).
6. Whenever speed or close proximity of two or more vehicles create conditions dangerous to the drivers, performers, passengers, film crew, or vehicles.

The foregoing shall not apply to an on-camera driver qualified as a stunt performer under the Screen Actors Guild Codified Basic Agreement or when a performer has the special expertise to perform the sequence in a safe manner. (See Safety Bulletin: Stunts)

Guidelines Prior to Operation

1. A copy of this bulletin should be kept with the camera car at all times.
2. A camera car must be inspected before and after use, or at a minimum, on a daily basis. Inspection items include, but are not limited to: brakes, tires, steering, engine, drive train, vehicle’s electrical system, towing equipment, and all safety equipment. Any items not fully functioning must be repaired by a qualified person before use.
3. All rigging of equipment, including any changes, is to be performed by qualified personnel in an area secured for the purpose of rigging, which is free of known hazards, including other vehicular traffic. The rigging must be discussed with the camera car driver prior to the use of the vehicle. The driver must inspect the vehicle after any rigging changes are made to ensure that they will not adversely affect the safe operation of the vehicle.
4. All personnel riding on the camera car must be provided a safe and secure place to ride to avoid the possibility of a fall hazard. Such safety precautions include, but are not limited to: railings, harnesses, helmets, etc. This may be accomplished either by a safety railing placed at the appropriate height for the layout of the camera car or by a properly secured safety harness.
5. Malfunctioning or broken equipment must be reported immediately, taken out of service, and replaced or repaired prior to use.
6. No more passengers shall be transported than the number whose weight, in addition to the weight of any property transported, can be carried without exceeding the manufacturer’s maximum gross vehicle weight rating or the combined maximum rating of the tires supporting each axle. Only those persons absolutely required to perform work during the rehearsals and the actual shot sequences shall be allowed on the camera car as determined by the driver/operator in consultation with the 1st A.D. and the Key Grip (if on set or location). The total weight shall never exceed the manufacturer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (G.V.W.R.). Generally, the maximum number of personnel allowed on camera cars should not exceed nine (9), including the driver. However, as vehicles may differ, the manufacturer’s guidelines must be followed at all times and in all cases. To determine the number of on board personnel, the following factors must be considered:
   1. Weather at the time of the intended shot
   2. Surface to be used: concrete, asphalt, decomposed granite, compacted dirt, etc.
   3. Surface condition: wet, oily, broken, icy, loose debris, washboard, etc.
   4. Route configuration: straight, slightly curved, moderately curved, “S” curved; level or inclined, crown, etc.
   5. Topography: flat, hilly, urban, countryside, mountainous, etc.
   6. Speed of the vehicle
   7. Visibility: trees, fog, smoke, lighting, structures, rigging, overhead obstruction, etc.
   8. All overhead and side obstructions: power lines, tree limbs, overpasses, traffic signals, etc.
   9. Shot sequence: following lone vehicle, stunt action with cross- overs/head-on or near misses, high speed chase, proximity of other vehicles, background performers and/or property, etc.
   10. Equipment rigging: multiple cameras, camera lights, etc.
   11. Escape routes and contingency plans

Note: The performance, operation and capacity of the camera car will vary when all factors are taken into consideration. The camera car driver has the authority to make the final determination regarding the operation of the camera car.

Guidelines When Operating the Camera Car

1. All items placed on the camera car are to be properly secured. Extra equipment, which is not used for the shot in progress, should be placed in a follow vehicle.
2. A shot-specific safety meeting should be held involving all personnel riding on the camera car or in close proximity (e.g., stunt personnel or background performers, etc.). This meeting should include a “walk-through” or “dry-run.” An understanding of the intended action, possible changes due to hazards, and authority to abort, including signals to be used, should be made clear. If for any reason there is a change in the choreography of the camera car, other picture vehicle(s) in the shot, or personnel involved in the shot, a safety meeting must be held with all personnel involved to ensure everyone understands the changes and is in agreement with those changes.
3. The driver of the camera car must alert personnel of the car’s impending movement by making two (2) short “taps” of the car’s horn or by using an on-board P.A. system.
4. Personnel are not allowed to walk between the camera car and any vehicle that it is towing while the camera car’s engine is running.
5. No personnel are allowed on the tow bar while the camera car is in motion.
6. Personnel are not allowed to get on or off the camera car while it is in motion. If the engine of the camera car is running and the vehicle is stopped, personnel should not enter or exit the vehicle unless instructed to do so by the driver or 1st AD.
7. Personnel riding on the camera car should protect themselves from changes in speed or direction by:
   1. Remaining seated at all times while the car is moving
   2. Placing both feet on the floor, or on a foot rest
   3. Firmly gripping the grab rail (safety railing)
   4. Riding only in a protected, safe and secure area on the camera car
   5. Staying alert, expecting the unexpected.

Related Bulletins

Alternative Driving Systems

Boating and Watercraft

Camera Boom Vehicles

Camera Cars

Camera Cars – Power Line Distance Requirements

Fixed-Wing Aircraft

Fixed-Wing Aircraft – External Loads

Free Driving

Gasoline Operated Equipment

Helicopters

Helicopters – External Loads

Hot Air Balloons

Hot Air Balloons – External Loads

Motorcycles

Non-Camera Utility Vehicles

Process Trailers and Towed Vehicles

Railroads

Vehicle Restraint Systems