SCENE 01 / HELICOPTER FILMING
Helicopter Filming
Large-scale aerial cinematography with gyro-stabilized camera systems across New York.
Helicopter filming gives you dramatic aerial views, with the payload, flight time, and altitude that drones cannot reach. In New York, helicopters with gyro-stabilized mounts capture sweeping vistas across the state. They cover Manhattan's skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the Hudson Valley and Hudson River, the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains, and the Hamptons and Long Island shores.
We set up helicopter filming with FAA-certified flight operators and skilled aerial cinematographers across New York. Our team handles the Federal Aviation Administration flight sign-off, NYPD Online Services Portal permits, National Park Service approvals for Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island waters, Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment planning, and safety work. Your production then captures stunning NYC footage while meeting the highest aviation standards.
Capabilities
Complete Helicopter Services
From epic establishing shots to high-speed chase sequences, our helicopter teams deliver cinema-quality aerial footage for large-scale productions.
01
Cinematic Aerials
- Epic establishing shots
- High-speed chase sequences
- Extended aerial takes
- Long-range travel shots
- Large-scale landscape coverage
Sweeping Perspectives
02
Camera Systems
- Gyro-stabilized mounts
- Cineflex & Shotover systems
- ARRI & RED cinema cameras
- Long-range zoom lenses
- Real-time video downlink
Cinema Quality
03
Aviation Compliance
- FAA flight authorization
- NYPD permits & airspace coordination
- NOTAMs & flight plans
- Full aviation insurance
- Safety documentation
Fully Licensed
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Safety & Coordination
- Experienced film pilots
- Ground safety teams
- Air-to-ground communication
- Weather monitoring
- Emergency protocols
Safety First
On Location
Cineflex and Shotover aerials across Manhattan and the Catskills
Helicopter filming in New York gives you the payload, flight time and altitude that drone work cannot match. That range matters for long takes over Manhattan's skyline and wide coverage along the Hudson River corridor. It also suits sweeping passes over the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty, plus chase sequences through the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains, the Hamptons, the Finger Lakes and Niagara Falls.
We set up aircraft and pilots through FAA Part 91 and Part 135 operators. These include Helinet's New York rotations, Aerial Filmworks, KISN Helicopter Services, and partner sites at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, the East 34th Street Heliport and Liberty Helicopters' commercial fleet at JRB. Gyro-stabilised Cineflex Elite, Shotover F1 and GSS 520 mounts carry ARRI Alexa Mini LF, RED V-Raptor and Sony Venice 2 cinema packages on long-range zoom glass.
NY aerial DPs anchor the crew pool, with credits on Uncut Gems' Manhattan plates, the Marvel/DC New York-set features, the recent Bond second-unit work and the Apple TV+ slate. We manage the real-time video downlink, NOTAM filing and air-to-ground communication from start to finish.
Authorisation is the single biggest factor in a clean NYC helicopter shoot. Our team handles the FAA flight clearances and the NYPD Online Services Portal permit, which carries a standard thirty-day lead time. We also handle the MOME Made in NY planning and the National Park Service approvals for Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island waters and Governors Island airspace. The Port Authority forms cover flights that touch the LaGuardia, JFK and Newark Liberty Class B perimeters.
Several areas carry no-fly limits. They include the standing Temporary Flight Restrictions over Times Square, the UN during General Assembly session, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route, and the guarded zones around Trump Tower and the consulate corridors. We plan flight paths around them from the first scout. Hudson Valley, Catskills and Long Island corridors widen the work area, and we arrange Sikorsky, Hudson Valley and East Hampton Airport tower planning ahead of time.
Lead times run four to six weeks for standard NYC work, and longer where the storyboard touches the most off-limits Manhattan airspace. We apply the 30% New York State Film Tax Credit plus the 10% NYC uplift to qualifying aerial-unit spend through the Empire State Development application, and we keep the IATSE Local 600 cinematographer records through final audit.
FAQ
Aerial Cinematography Expertise
When should I choose helicopter over drone filming?
Helicopters work best for long aerial takes over Manhattan, high-speed sequences, shots that need heavy cinema cameras, and long-range coverage across New York State. They also win where drones cannot fly, since FAA rules close off most of Manhattan airspace, stadiums, and national landmarks. For quick setups and lower altitudes, a drone may cost less.
What camera systems do you use for helicopter filming?
We run gyro-stabilized systems such as Cineflex and Shotover mounts, which carry ARRI, RED, and other cinema cameras. These mounts hold rock-steady footage even during fast flight moves, and they let the crew control the camera by remote.
Can you film over Manhattan?
Yes, with the right sign-off. Manhattan airspace is tightly closed, but we can get FAA permits and NYPD permits through the NYPD Online Services Portal with a 30-day advance filing. Our team works with the FAA, NYPD, and MOME to win the approvals for shoots over the skyline, bridges, and harbour.
What types of helicopters do you use?
We fly many helicopter types to fit your needs, from smaller aircraft for tight urban moves to larger ones for heavy camera systems and long flights over the Catskills and Adirondacks. The aircraft we pick depends on the shot, the locations, and the payload.
How do you handle air-to-ground coordination?
We use pro radio communications gear for live planning between the helicopter crew and the ground teams. Directors can talk to the pilots and camera operators in real time, and we add a video downlink so they can track aerial shots as they happen.
How far in advance should we book helicopter filming?
We suggest 4 to 6 weeks at least for NYC helicopter work, so there is time for FAA sign-off and the 30-day NYPD permit filing. Shoots over the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, or historic landmarks often need longer lead times.
Related Services
Productions in New York that need this often pair it with Aerial Drone Services, Car Filming, and Vehicle Mounting for full coverage. Most projects also draw on Camera & Cinematography and Drone Videography.
On Set
Need Helicopter Filming?
Tell us about your aerial requirements and we'll coordinate experienced helicopter teams.