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Chartering aircraft for aerial shots in Panama requires two significant knowledge points:
Weather and ground conditions in Panama
Weather in Panama is commonly described and dry and rainy seasons. However, within this country, There are micro climates seeing rain for often than not year round. Some ground areas are so moist that fog is common. Usually, these areas are in the rain forests and jungles. Shooting in the rainy season means thinking about morning shooting schedules instead of afternoons when the rain moves in.
Late December through most of April are the months you can expect better shooting weather. May through September sees more clouds, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms for two to three hours, then clearing. October through mid-December sees mostly cloudy conditions with a day or two with sunny skies. Expect mostly clouds though.
Understanding basic photography and getting the right shot for your film project in Panama.
Getting the right imagery is up to your director but some things to keep in mind for aerial shots are:
- Turbine powered helicopters are more smoother and have less vibration than Robinson piston-powered aircraft. Therefore, they are more desirable as a stable platform.
- Image stabilization is highly recommended for shooting .
- Mounting equipment to aircraft here is tougher than Hollywood. Don’t expect holes to be drilled where none existed. Think of Panama aviation industry not as a bunch of people in loin cloths and feathers in their hair, but rather, professionals who are usually educated and trained in the US. In some regulations, Panama’s aviation authority is tougher than the FAA!
- Weight is an issue for any charter aircraft. To telescope time, it is a good idea to have the equipment and passenger weights available before contacting us for service. With this knowledge, we can recommend the most appropriate aircraft. Keep in mind that roominess is a factor for some shoots. The less people in the aircraft the better, for safety and for ease of movement.
- Fixed focal length lenses will produce sharper images than zoom lenses.
- Take more shots than you think are needed and from different angles -- especially of landscapes.
- Bring a back up camera. It might be smaller and less capable but having one is better than nothing.
- We can take of the door in the helicopter. Keep in mind the noise levels will go up considerably. either way, you will be wearing headphones to help facilitate normal communications.
- Most of our pilots speak English.
Some other notes at random:
SkyMaxx Corporation is an FAA equivalent Part 135 charter operator here in Panama. Therefore, all aircraft they operate are commercially registered, insurance coverage as required by Aeronautica Civil, and the pilots hold appropriate licenses required for commercial flights -- fixed wing and helicopter. Aircraft have Certificates of Airworthiness -- copies of which can be provided upon request.
We highly suggest bringing a harness with you. The camera people appreciate knowing that they "control" that important safety point. Suggest buying a rock climbing harness, an assortment of locking carabiners and nylon slings from a local climbing store. Look for standard EN 12275:1998 "Mountaineering equipment - Connectors - Safety requirements and test methods," for the carabiners.
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