GB Helicopters and Spirit in the Sky join forces to form The Aerial Film Company

GB Helicopters and Spirit in the Sky are pleased to announce that they have joined forces to form The Aerial Film Company, a one-stop end-to-end aerial filming solutions provider based in the United Kingdom.

GB Helicopters have in the past excelled in the area of TV and live broadcast, providing aerial film platforms for Volvo Ocean Race, Rolex Fastnet, The Tour of Britain as well as aerial stunt work for Harry Styles, Bear Grylls and SAS Who Dares Wins.

Spirit in the Sky’s focus has been on feature films, which include Dunkirk, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Terminator: Dark Fate, No Time to Die and the latest Nolan project Tenet.

Amongst the projects that each company worked on, there was collaboration on Dunkirk and Terminator. In addition, the directors of both GB Helicopters and Spirit in the Sky have worked together for 15 years previously in the business jet/helicopter world.

Will Banks, Director of The Aerial Film Company states that “It was a natural next step for us to join forces with Spirit in the Sky for aerial film projects. We have been working closely for several years now and in that time have built up significant trust and rapport across the team that enable us to really hit the ground running on set.” He goes on to say that “ We now have ten helicopters based here in the UK spanning single and twin engine camera ships as well as a range of picture ships. All our helicopters can be operated as full public transport or Part SPO for filming allowing us to undertake anything that a production may require of us. We also have long line and human external cargo tasks outlined in our Operations Manual and approved by the Civil Aviation Authority giving us a wide scope to deliver some of the aerial stunts frequently asked of us.

Steven Moth, co-founder of The Aerial Film Company adds “This team-up really extends the capability of both companies in the aerial filming sector. Spirit has traditionally supplied picture aircraft as well as aerial coordination on a number of film projects. Under The Aerial Film Company umbrella we can now offer a wide range of helicopter solutions, multiple camera systems including the Shotover K1 and GSS, fast fixed wing camera platforms for tracking military jets, business jets, airliners, picture aircraft and bucks from WW1 biplane fighters through to the very latest jets. If a production needs an airship, we can source it. If they need a huge cargo aircraft, we can get it. We don’t use the term “end-to-end” lightly. We can be involved from the initial research stage, to identifying aerial locations, permits, aircraft prep, pilots, aerial stunt design, drones, helicopter camera ships, paint schemes and all aerial logistics. We now have the capability to deliver across all these areas.”

In addition to aircraft the Aerial Film Company have also just launched their 40ft custom built helicopter transporter, designed specifically to transport an Airbus H125 camera helicopter from base to location anywhere in Europe and North Africa. This transporter allows them to transport a complete aerial unit at a fraction of the cost associated with flying to location. Addressing climate change remains a key focus for the team aiming to achieve parity with regard to their emissions. Sending the helicopter by road cuts their emissions by 85% compared to flying and takes weather out the equation, especially when shooting in the winter months. The Aerial Film Company will always have the complete aerial unit on location, on time, no matter how bad the weather!