Filming from Fast Jets

This article on filming from Fast Jets was kindly written by Sgt Gordy Elias, Senior Photographer, RAF Combat Camera Team

Planning

I cannot over emphasize the importance of planning. It's up to you what you want to achieve, the pilot needs a plan. It is no good just jumping into the back of a fast jet and hoping for the best. Discuss in detail exactly what you want; if a manoeuvre or formation is feasible at all, the aircrew will come up with the best and safest way to perform it. If you have a series of manoeuvres make sure everyone is aware and have a list of manoeuvres jotted down on your knee-pad and the aircrew have the same details.

Reflections inside fast jet cockpits

Do not wear the white flying gloves they reflect like hell. Dark green gloves or if you can get them black gloves (as worn by Red Arrows aircrew) are best.

Canopy

While it is understood that the ground-crews give the canopies a good clean as part of their ‘turn-round’ procedure, it is worth asking them to give them an extra special clean, because the canopy may as well be classed as the last element of your lens.

Choice of lens

If your lenses are fixed focal length, remember you can bring the other aircraft into you. You don’t need great telephoto lenses. Normal angle lenses or even wide angle are fine. If however, you are flying in helicopters performing air to air; work on the assumption that the nearest the subject helicopter is going to get to you is x2 rotor widths, (considerably further away than close formation in fast jets).

Positive G-force

An understanding of what sort of effects pulling G has on your body and equipment is vital. You must appreciate that if your camera weighs say 5lbs, if you pull 2G then the equipment will physically weigh 10lbs, if its 3G it will weigh 15lbs, (x4G = 20lbs) and so on. Eventually it can feel like you are taking photographs with an anvil! Also beware of pulling G while turning your body to get the shot, the only thing you will be pulling is A MUSCLE!

Negative G-force

Make sure the pilot is aware you need to know if any sudden G force is about to come on, particularly negative G, you don’t want your camera flying through the canopy or hitting the canopy’s Micro Detonating Cord (MDC), that would really spoil your day!

Camera straps

While flying in fast jets do not have your camera strap around your neck. If the worst came to the worst and you had to eject, your camera strap would act like a guillotine and take your head off! Take the strap off completely before even walking out to the jet. If you do need to eject, throw the camera in your foot-well before pulling the black & yellow handle, this just could save you losing a leg or two.

Equipment 

Ensure you have a full understanding what Foreign Object Damage (FOD) means and its relevance. Make sure all your equipment is secure at all times.

Video from fast jets

This can be particularly tiring. The main difference is you can put your stills camera down on your lap anytime you want between shots, not so with video. It’s not quite the same putting the video camera down on your lap, unless you want ‘footage’ of your feet! Sustaining a turn of only 2 or 3 G while videoing will sap your strength quickly and dependant on the length of your sortie can exhaust you. Even if it is a particularly leisurely flight and you don’t immediately feel the effects, you will the following day when your muscles rebel.

Enjoy your flight!