Re: Breaking news: Channel 3 & 15 Choppers collide & crash at Indian School Par
I think I heard from the FOX 10 helicopter guy (either that or 5, but I believe it was 10) who said that the pilots of the stations have their own channel to talk to each other (which is normal in big cities with multiple media choppers). He said that he heard screaming coming from one of the choppers, whose microphone was live, all the way down. The FOX pilot was the most unnerved, because he knew instantly who it was and knew both pilots.
I do have some pretty strong opinions on what/where the problem is, but I'll say this for now: if there is a major car chase or big fire, the helicopters will be up there. You and I may or may not say for car chases it is useful, but here's the deal: there are MANY credible news stories where helicopter is very helpful in covering breaking news. Think 9/11, a plane crash, a large fire affecting many people (from traffic to loved one concerns)...and since they're up there covering traffic in the morning, everyone will swarm to accidents. So here's the deal: how do you handle it? How does L.A. and their dime-a-dozen car chases happen? Sounds to me like
they do what your guys do in KC, Rob...follow the leader. Matter of fact, I think when the OJ thing did happen, they were rotating choppers so that every station had an opportunity to get the shots they needed for their station.
The situation becomes more dangerous with slow car chases on city streets because choppers are moving slowly and thus must be able to maneuver over a nearly fixed location. And from all we have heard from eyewitnesses, it sounds like both choppers were too close, and flying directly above/below each other is dangerous, because you can't see the other guy. Experience and quality of your flying be hanged, when you have multiple choppers in the air over nearly the same location, the worst of accidents can and did happen to the best of people. May that be a lesson for all of us.
If L.A. and K.C. have an agreement between pilots, and I'm pretty sure L.A. does,
and a good one at that...I think it's past time for all markets to do the same thing. We don't need more regulation or laws, we just need to not kill each other by accident covering any type of story. That would be a great example for each market to do to leave a lasting great legacy in honor of those who died tragically in the accident today.
TheRob said:
I think I heard from the FOX 10 helicopter guy (either that or 5, but I believe it was 10) who said that the pilots of the stations have their own channel to talk to each other (which is normal in big cities with multiple media choppers). He said that he heard screaming coming from one of the choppers, whose microphone was live, all the way down. The FOX pilot was the most unnerved, because he knew instantly who it was and knew both pilots.
I do have some pretty strong opinions on what/where the problem is, but I'll say this for now: if there is a major car chase or big fire, the helicopters will be up there. You and I may or may not say for car chases it is useful, but here's the deal: there are MANY credible news stories where helicopter is very helpful in covering breaking news. Think 9/11, a plane crash, a large fire affecting many people (from traffic to loved one concerns)...and since they're up there covering traffic in the morning, everyone will swarm to accidents. So here's the deal: how do you handle it? How does L.A. and their dime-a-dozen car chases happen? Sounds to me like
they do what your guys do in KC, Rob...follow the leader. Matter of fact, I think when the OJ thing did happen, they were rotating choppers so that every station had an opportunity to get the shots they needed for their station.
The situation becomes more dangerous with slow car chases on city streets because choppers are moving slowly and thus must be able to maneuver over a nearly fixed location. And from all we have heard from eyewitnesses, it sounds like both choppers were too close, and flying directly above/below each other is dangerous, because you can't see the other guy. Experience and quality of your flying be hanged, when you have multiple choppers in the air over nearly the same location, the worst of accidents can and did happen to the best of people. May that be a lesson for all of us.
If L.A. and K.C. have an agreement between pilots, and I'm pretty sure L.A. does,
and a good one at that...I think it's past time for all markets to do the same thing. We don't need more regulation or laws, we just need to not kill each other by accident covering any type of story. That would be a great example for each market to do to leave a lasting great legacy in honor of those who died tragically in the accident today.
