This page offers guidelines for filming essential personnel or equipment while on the exterior of, entering, or exiting a helicopter in flight.

Traditional helicopter motion picture activities include stunt persons transferring, air to air between helicopter and airplane, air to ground between surface vehicles or persons, Rappelling, Fast Roping and many other scenarios where essential personnel and equipment may be required outside the helicopter. Stunt persons and cameramen are often called upon to stand upon or hang from landing gear skids, cargo hooks, trapeze devices, bungee cords, cables, ladders, long-lines, etc.

Safe completion of these operations require the complete understanding and coordination of all parties involved, i.e. the Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command, the Designated Production Representative, Stunt Persons, Helicopter Riggers, Special Effects and Grip Riggers and essential ground crew.