#1: Helicopter Autorotation If video does not start on its own left click on picture then hit space bar.
A few people who have viewed this video suggested I put it on my Tech Page. It shows an R44 helicopter doing a practice autorotation. Not my smoothest video since I was one hand on the gyro unit looking forward at the approach. Fun Stuff!
I am not a helicopter pilot. I am a professional videographer who has shot for years from helicopters as part of my job. This was a practice autorotation in a very controlled environment over our normal airport. So yes helicopters can fly without power as long as you still have blades rotating, altitude, and a skilled pilot.
If you ever get the chance to shoot from a helicopter, I highly recommended the experience. Definitely choose your pilot carefully. One of my many requirements is that the pilot has a minimum of 3000 hrs flying helicopters. I broke this rule once and regretted it with poor footage. Not that pilots with less hours are not qualified to fly their machine it is just the added pressure of helping to frame the shot. Yes the pilot will do a lot of working framing the shot and this is a hard skill to learn when the pilots are still developing their flying skills. The pilot I work with the most has a video monitor mounted on the frame of the machine so he can see what I am shooting all the time.
One of the other requirements is to use a gyro stabilized system. There is a lot of vibration even in the best-balanced machines, and the gyros make a huge difference. We use an Aerial Exposure modified platform with six Kenyon KS-8 gyros mounted to the floor of the machine. I sit next to the system and control the camera and the rig at the same time. Ball mounts do an excellent job but the cost is very high. We are able to offer a very competitive rate and excellent footage with our system. Our footage has been broadcast on multiple TV shows in HD.
OK enough of my carrying on here is the clip of one of our autorotation from onboard looking out the side door.