Broadcast News

Bookmark and Share
26/03/2004

UK's first purpose-built media helicopter takes off

Broadcaster Mike Smith's company Flying TV Ltd is to take delivery of its exclusive ‘media helicopter’ next month.
Custom built by Robinson Helicopters in California, the R44 ENG is the world's only factory built helicopter designed to instantly scramble to provide television, radio and stills aerial coverage. Registered as G-PIXX, the machine will be based at Denham airfield just west of London and will remain fully-rigged, ready to fly and shoot.
"We will be offering a unique service previously unavailable in the UK - and at a low price," said Smith. "The R44 ENG is an electronic news gathering machine that can serve multiple purposes. Sport, docs, drama. Any production which needs aerial input can get the best from G-PIXX."
The helicopter has four cameras, including a gyro-stabilised nosemount Ikegami digital video camera with a 42X Canon lens. On board recording is via a laptop mixer to digiBeta or live via a microwave downlink. There's space for a presenter and camera operator in addition to the pilot.
G-PIXX has a three-hour range between refuels, a cruise speed of 130mph and a flying hour starts at £600, fully equipped and fuelled.
(GB)
Solidmate Ltd Memory Card Hire London

Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.

24/03/2023
CJP Broadcast To Provide Multi-Camera Coverage of UK Round Of EBFL
CJP Broadcast Services has been selected to provide multi-camera coverage of the UK round of the European Blind Football League (EBFL), held at the Ro
03/11/2023
Banijay UK Acquires The Forge
Banijay UK has acquired leading scripted independent producer, The Forge. The Marriage, Help and Becoming Elizabeth producer, which has a well-establi
31/10/2023
Canon UK & Ireland Supports Raindance Film Festival
Canon UK & Ireland has underlined its commitment to emerging independent filmmakers by kicking off its support to the Raindance Film Festival. Celebra
08/09/2023
Synthax Audio UK Appoints Head Of Sales & Marketing
Synthax Audio UK has appointed Neil Johnston to the position of Head of Sales and Marketing. With over 20 years of experience in the Pro Audio industr
23/06/2023
Sky Teams Up With Age UK Stockport And Stockport Council
Sky has teamed up with Age UK Stockport and Stockport Council to open its first Sky Up Digital Hub in Greater Manchester. The new Digital Hub will pro
14/06/2023
Big Pic Media Appointed UK Distributor For Emotion Systems
Big Pic Media has announced its appointment as UK distributor for Emotion Systems. The agreement covers the complete range of Emotion products. These
06/06/2023
Audio-Technica ATND1061DAN Ceiling Array Microphone Integrates With AVer PTZ Cameras
AVer PTZ cameras are the latest addition to Audio-Technica's roster of partners that integrate with the ATND1061 beamforming ceiling array microphone,
26/05/2023
ARRI Announces New Control Option For Its Latest Cameras
ARRI has announced a new control option for its latest cameras, the CCM-1 is a 7" onboard monitor that provides full camera control and menu access fo
04/05/2023
Rusty O'Neal Acquires GY-HC500U CONNECTED CAM™ Production Cameras
Chairman of Monticello Baptist Church's TV and Sound Committee, Rusty O'Neal has acquired GY-HC500U CONNECTED CAM™ production cameras from JVC Profess
06/03/2023
TNDV Invests In Sony 4K/HD Cameras
TNDV has made its second large capital investment in Sony 4K/HD cameras to support increased demand for Sony-driven 4K workflows. With its recent purc
17/02/2023
Horizon AVL Relies On Marshall Cameras
For over 40 years, Horizon AVL has brought AV integration to various sectors such as government, corporate, houses of worship and higher education. Mo
07/12/2023
Hitachi Kokusai Delivers New SK-UHD7000-S2 Broadcast Cameras
Hitachi Kokusai has completed one of the first deliveries of its new SK-UHD7000-S2 broadcast cameras to Maryland Public Television through Digital Vid
20/02/2006
New TV helicopter launched
A helicopter, purpose built with fixed television cameras, is set to take off from a Yorkshire base. Dubbed 'a flying studio', the Robinson R44 is one
05/12/2017
Record Year Of Aerial Filming For Helicopter Film Services
Europe's leading aerial filming business, Helicopter Film Services, has experienced a record year of aerial filming, touching down in 20 countries ove
27/10/2017
Agile Remote Cameras Launches New PTZ Cameras & Controller
Agile Remote Cameras has announced the launch of two new PTZ cameras, each with a unique modular design, plus a desktop camera controller. The ARC360