Helicopter Film Services

Helicopter Film Services (HFS) are specialists in aerial filming & aviation services. Founded in 1993, HFS has grown to include helicopter, jets, specialist high-speed camera tracking vehicles and most recently Small Unmanned Aircraft (UAS/drones) for work in feature film, commercials, branded content production and broadcast TV.

We tailor our equipment and teams to provide a bespoke service to meet the demands and requirements of your vision.

We have an open approach to camera technology which means you have access to all the latest innovations in aerial filmmaking, whatever your requirements.

Helicopters

Along with our own fleet of Airbus Helicopters (primarily based in the UK), we have a global network of some of the world’s most reputable suppliers, meaning you’ll get the right helicopter tailored to the needs of your production, wherever you’re filming.

Whether you need a picture ship, air to air filming or a camera platform, we pride ourselves our on delivering the right helicopter with accomplished pilots and camera crews.

Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones)

Our fleet of heavy lift Aerigon MK II & Shotover U1 drones has the capability to carry a variety of camera packages that many productions would be using on the ground, giving you the exact same standard of picture quality.

We are fully approved by the CAA and our crews are BNUC-S approved.

Cameras

In April 2017 we launched The Typhon 6 Array, which combines 6 ARRI ALEXA Mini cameras mounted in a Shotover K1 system to shoot plates that can be stitched together in post production. It is designed for both aerial and ground-based filming and is ideal for where a particularly wide field of vision is required, to produce cutting edge visual effects sequences. We are also one of only two companies in the world who own and operate the NSI Vectorvision periscope & nose camera for the Lear Jet.

Aircraft

We have now added a fleet of fixed-wing aircraft to our available fleet, offering the ability to fly VIP passengers or crew and equipment in a variety of sizes of aircraft.

The expanding fleet currently consists of Bombardier Challenger 605 and Global 6000 along with Pilatus PC12.

Tracking Vehicles

On top of our aerial filming expertise, we are also highly experienced at shooting action sequences on the ground using our top-of-the-range tracking vehicles.

Our vehicles are crewed by expert drivers and operators, who boast a stellar body of work.

We are constantly developing our vehicle line-up, which currently includes models from Aston Martin and the Mitsubishi EVO, and we continue to work with Grips developing innovations in rigging for the latest camera technology.

Research and Development

We can offer EASA part -21J design and manufacture facilities in-house, offering anything from a small part to a whole assembly.

Recent Productions:

• Ready Player One
  
• Wonder Woman
  
• Darkest Hour
  
• My Cousin Rachel
  
• Sense 8
  
• The Crown
  
• The Foreigner
  
• Assassin’s Creed
  
• Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
  
• Jason Bourne
  
• Captain America: Civil War
  
• Now You See Me 2
  
• The Huntsman: Winter’s War
  
• Bridget Jones’s Baby
  
• Billionaire Ransom
  
• Criminal
  
• Dark Reflection
  
• Man Up
  
• Spectre
  
• Avengers: Age of Ultron
  
• Ex Machina
  
• Roger Waters : The Wall
  
• Paddington
  
• Into The Woods