• Basic Gyro-stabilized camera operations
• In-flight camera techniques
• Improved "stealth" communication skills between station and helicopter
• Police/Fire scanner integration and monitoring training
• Microwave signal training
• Multi-task management
• Pilot ENG flight training
• Inner-cockpit communication skills
• Story-specific camera/flying techniques
• In-flight navigation techniques
• Helicopter safety training
• Dealing with aerial competition
• Pilot/photographer "live" reporting skills

Gyro-Stabilized Camera Operations
Gone are the days of hanging out the side of a hovering helicopter with a handheld camera to get the rare aerial shot. The state-of-the-art gyro-stabilized camera gimbals that exist today offer image stabilization and ease of operation. Training your photography staff in this specialty skill is beneficial for the station and photographer. Your staff will learn about the science of these camera systems, how to control the camera, painting the camera, white balancing, shooting with the "Joystick" and the "Trim knobs," and troubleshooting the system. Angel City Air's experienced consultants will walk your staff through every aspect of these amazing cameras, offering each photographer a specialty skill few receive.

In-Flight Camera Techniques
ACA consultants will take your camera staff to a new level by taking to the sky. Operating the camera on the ground is one thing, but flying the camera gives the photographer the real feel for shooting in motion. This training will offer your photographer the chance to learn the subtle yet critical techniques of seasoned "Big-market" photographers.

Stealth Communications
The information flow between the assignment desk and the helicopter is crucial to arriving first on the scene of breaking news. Getting the story right with vital information received from the desk gives your helicopter crew credibility during a live report from above. And keeping your gathered information private and exclusive from the competition gives you the extra edge in beating the other stations to the punch. Our experts will show your staff how to better communicate and keep the info from the other stations.

Scanner Integration and Monitoring
Equipping your assignment desk and helicopter with a compatible scanner system is your first and best way of knowing where the stories are happening. Angel City Air consultants are highly skilled at establishing a streamlined system for monitoring emergency traffic of police, fire, highway patrol and Inter-agency radio communications. Training techniques include the art of listening, what to listen to and when, as well as tone and inflexion of voice patterns of radio dispatchers. Your staff will be able to identify different scanner traffic to specific agencies and will learn to memorize channel frequencies in no time.

Microwave System Training
Recognizing "Line-of-sight" and other aspects of microwave orientation are key in getting your signal to the station from a moving helicopter. Photographers will learn the steps necessary in establishing and maintaining the best signal possible in any situation.

Multi-Task Management
The cockpit environment is one of the most multi-task environments in news. Pilots deal with operating the helicopter, navigation, flight communications with air traffic controllers and other aircraft, news station communication, inner-cockpit communications, and at times - live reporting of the news. Meanwhile, photographers are busy operating the camera system, establishing and maintaining a microwave signal, navigation, news gathering, on-board audio and video monitoring, news station communication, inner-cockpit communications, acting as an extra set of eyes for the pilot, and at times - live reporting of news. This environment can go seriously bad in no time if proper management and good habits are not established.

Pilot ENG Flight Training
There is an art to flying a news ship. There are specific flying techniques involved in flying a helicopter over a news story. Knowing how to fly and where to position the helicopter over a scene, establishing communication and working with police and fire helicopters on site, and knowing the limitations of your assignment are just a few of the many situations specific to the success of every news mission. Angel City Air consultants will fly with your pilots and offer unique tips on covering different stories; from police pursuits to structure fires to aircraft emergencies.

Inner-Cockpit Communications
Most crews will work this out on their own, but offering subtle tips and suggestions can make this important communication flow easier. We will fly with and observe your staff interaction and offer constructive input in improving communication.

Story-Specific Techniques
This training touches on the areas of pilot ENG flight training and inner-cockpit communications. Your pilots and photographers are a team and must work in unison to provide a good product. Knowing what crew members can expect of each other during the course of any story can be the difference in proper coverage. A police pursuit is shot and flown different compared to a brush fire or a river rescue. Having a crew that is in tune with each other, makes for great news coverage.

In-Flight Navigation
Getting from one breaking news story to another in a helicopter can be a challenge without the proper information and tools. We can show you proven techniques to cutting down on response time and how to utilize moving map technologies to make the job easier.

Helicopter Safety
Safety is job one. Educating your staff on how to operate in and around a helicopter is crucial to a safe environment. From pre and post-flight safety checks to in-flight procedures and emergency scenarios, knowledge of these important safety issues must be addressed.

Aerial Competition
Establishing a good working relationship with your fellow aviators is an important factor in covering news. Airspace can become crowded as helicopters jockey for the best position over a story. Knowing when to be aggressive and when to yield is just one aspect of this issue. Angel City Air consultants have logged thousands of flight hours, which translates to experience in critical situations. We can teach your staff how to best deal with the competition and become the dominant news ship in your market.

Pilot/Photographer Reporting Skills
Reporting from the air can be difficult since many stories are unfolding under you. Knowing what to report and what not to report in a fluid situation can be stressful and confusing. It's not just about the facts of the story; it's what you see and how you translate that information that makes reporting the news both interesting and factual. Your staff will benefit from our consultant's knowledge of breaking news coverage with insight to sounding professional and producing solid reports under any circumstance.