LDJ 1/21 News Chopper Center

[njgtr82]

I was able to go for a flight on one of the local news choppers yesterday morning and after wards took some shots of all the different stations. I took very few pictures during the flight but it was a very cool experience.










Bloomberg Radios








Bill

[PhilDernerJr]

Nice stuff! Sounds like a great experience. Looks like the Intrepid is holding up ok so far.

Who does N8BQ belong to?

[Matt Molnar]

I like how you displayed them in channel order. :)

I'm going to guess N8BQ is WCBS 880's traffic-copter.

[njgtr82]

Thanks guys, yes N8BQ is 880 am's.

[LGA777]

Bill, pretty cool you got I think every stations helo's at one time and place, very cool !

Cheers

LGA777

[moose135]

Very nice, Bill. It's great you could get a ride and shoot all the copters - good work!

[wunaladreamin]

Those are some great shots Bill.

[Gerard]

Great great shots.
Interesting that the CW11 ship is the old CBS ship. The old CW11(then the WB11) ship was N311WB and had a diffferent paint scheme.
http://www.helispot.com/photo/0001714

http://www.helispot.com/photo/0000512

I also thought that N8BQ was the Metro Traffic ship also used as a second ship by ABC.
The CBS radio ship wouldnt need the camera equipment.
But looks like you had a lot of fun and I'm friggin jealous!!! LOLOLOLOL!!!

[njgtr82]

thanks guys, Gerard the helicopters are all operated by Helicopters Inc. and the cameraman all work for a third party(the name of the company is escaping me right now), but the same company that has the equipment on the tv helo's has the equipment on 8BQ for their use.

Bill

[INNflight]

The skyline shot is one I could stare at for hours....hehe.

Nice pics Bill! :borat:

[Gerard]

>Gerard the helicopters are all operated by Helicopters Inc. and the cameraman all work for a third party(the name of the company is escaping me right now), but the same company that has the equipment on the tv helo's has the equipment on 8BQ for their use. <

Thanks Bill. I was contacted by someone else who told me that N8BQ is used by CBS, Metro Traffic
AND sometimes ABC.
CBS last had a JetRanger N880AM but I go way back when they hangared at the East 60 Street
Heliport and flew variations of the Bell 47.
http://www.helispot.com/photo/0003305

http://www.helispot.com/photo/0003321

And of course the old WNBC copter when Stern and Imus worked there....
http://www.helispot.com/photo/0003309

So that leaves Chopper 12 out here at FRG the only ENG NOT owned by Helicopters Inc.

[EFDspotter]

Down here in Houston, they have a simular system. 4 ENG helos are marked as particular station helos and one is unmarked for multiple customer use (called the "Metro Bird" as it is the Metro Traffic ship.
Most of the ENG pilots here are also HPD Helicopter Patrol pilots and most of the helos here are also owned by Helis Inc.

Unfortunately, Helis lost the ABC Channel 13 "SkyEye 13" ship a couple of weeks ago, killing the Pilot, John Downhower.
Also killed was the 13 cameraman, a bud of mine, Dave Garrett, who worked for
Metro Networks, a subsidiary of Westwood One, out of Houston.
Even though I had a standing invite to fly any of the Helis Inc. a/c, I always flew with Dave on SkyEye.

Dave with the ABC ship:


crummy day air-to-air with the Fox ship

air-to-air with the NBC ship:

Metro Traffic ship:



crummy day air-to-air with the CBS ship - NON Helicopters Inc.

[T-Bird76]

Great stuff Bill! Happy you are able make these great connections! Def adds to the enjoyment!