RC helicopter and pilot needed for film stunt

[Mark_T]

I know this all feels a bit like the 'fun police' stuff again, but it is no fun if something goes wrong and it turns out your were not properly insured and the necessary H&S assessments were not made, leaving you to pay the bill and/or serve the time depending on what happened.

My other hobby/sport is scuba diving and this sort of request is common over there as well but at least the HSE have clear guidelines for 'Diving at work' but it still doesn't stop the less scrupulous film/documentary makers from trying to blur the lines and lure people into trouble with promises of appearing on screen or a mention in the credits but somehow very rarely any money ...

[Paul Cave]

I agree with Gate88 and would advise not to risk it.
I also have worked in the film & tv industry for 30+ years, and run a production company. The Gurilla filmakers would not be forthcoming with information, or likely to have obtained location clearances, so therefore no risk assessment.
I know that any insurance connected with the media industry is at a high premium plus with extra provisos for working airside / trackside, on or underwater or above 10 metres.
You may be promised 5 minutes of airtime on some obscure network, but if it all goes pearshape you may get more airtime on local news than you care for.

[Gate88]

So you're not putting Charlie up for it then Paul?

[wildpalms]

Having recently had the pleasure of reading and trying to digest the BMFA handbook it is pretty certain that the standard insurance won't cover you. Neither work for money or flying for the trade is covered.

In addition Article 98 of the ANO has something to say about Aerial work.

The person to ask would be Bob who has recent experience.

[Paul Cave]

So you're not putting Charlie up for it then Paul?

I would put Charlie up! But I dont think they would pay his daily rate.

[pchristy]

I have to agree with Gate88 on this one! I'm also a broadcast professional, and one of the reasons there's so much crap on TV these days is because everything has to be done on the cheap!

You wouldn't believe the number of "interns" or "trainees" working for nothing just because they've been promised a job in TV at the end of it. Needless to say, said job is always elusive!

We have a saying in the industry - "If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys" - the trouble is far to many production companies are happy to go with that, hence the amount of unspeakable rubbish wasting bandwidth on the airwaves.....!

(gets off soap-box!)

[Gate88]

Blimey pchristy! Chalfont St Peter? I'm in Nortoft Road where are You?

[Nipster]

Appreciate and understand the points already made.
Would never dream of this for a 250 / 450 / 600 class etc etc but is
anyone else tempted to turn up with a Pico Z?

[Paul Cave]

And I lived in Chalfont St Peter as a kid! Some thing there must have fuelled Heli loving film techs. May be the nitro in the water?