Air-to-Air Photography
Air-to-air photography involves two aircraft flying a coordinated plan. The crews brief the positions, communication and separation before the photographer takes the shots.
How a session is set up
Two aircraft: a camera ship with the photographer, usually shooting through an open door or removed window, and the subject aircraft. Both fly a briefed formation with a defined relative position, closing distance and separation, and an agreed sequence of positions to work through. Everything is briefed on the ground in detail, including the abort call and what each aircraft does after it.
Why it is difficult
Formation flying for a camera means holding a position to within a few metres while the light, the background and the photographer requirements keep changing. The subject pilot is flying formation on the camera ship rather than the reverse, and the camera ship is flying the geometry that puts the sun and the landscape where the photographer wants them. Neither pilot is doing anything that looks impressive from the ground, and both are working continuously.
What the photographer needs to know
- Brief in detail and stick to the brief. Requests for a new position happen on the radio, one at a time, and get flown deliberately rather than improvised.
- Secure everything. Lens caps, filters, spare bodies, straps. An object leaving an open door in flight is a serious matter, not an inconvenience.
- Shutter speed. Too fast and the propeller freezes, which makes the aeroplane look dead in the air. Most aviation photographers work around 1/125 to 1/250 for a piston type.
- Golden hour. Early morning and late evening give the light and the smooth air at the same time. Midday is bumpy and flat.
- It takes longer than you think. A useful session is 40 to 60 minutes airborne, plus a substantial ground briefing.
What we can do
SP-EKS works as a subject aircraft, and Maciej flies formation for photographers regularly. The Extra is a good subject: the shape reads clearly against sky and ground, the paint scheme photographs well, and the aircraft can hold a position accurately at a range of speeds. The camera ship comes from whoever the photographer normally works with, or we can suggest options.
Sessions are quoted individually rather than sold as a package, because the cost depends on the camera ship, the airborne time and the location. Contact Maciej on +48 739 158 131 with the shot list and the light you want, so we can discuss the session and prepare a quote.
The simpler alternative
If what you want is photographs of the aircraft rather than a portfolio air-to-air session, a ground photographer during a normal flight costs 249 PLN for a minimum of five images within 48 hours, and the 360° onboard video is 299 PLN. Both are ordered with the flight.
Frequently asked questions
What is an air-to-air photography flight?
Two aircraft flying a briefed formation so that a photographer in the camera ship can shoot the subject aircraft, with defined relative positions, separation and an agreed sequence of shots.
Is air-to-air flying more difficult than aerobatics?
It is a different job. Nothing looks dramatic from the ground, but both pilots hold precise positions continuously while the light and the requested angles keep changing.
What shutter speed works for propeller aircraft?
Most aviation photographers work around 1/125 to 1/250 for a piston type, so the propeller blurs. A faster shutter freezes the blades and makes the aircraft look lifeless.
When is the best light for an air-to-air session?
Early morning or late evening, which give good light and smooth air together. Midday is bumpy and flat.
How long does a session take?
Forty to sixty minutes airborne plus a substantial ground briefing. Sessions are quoted individually rather than sold as a fixed package.
Fly it yourself
Aerobatic flights in the Extra 300L SP-EKS from Radom-Piastów (EPRP), 100 km from Warsaw. From 2,222 PLN, no licence or experience required. Gift vouchers are issued as a PDF after payment confirmation and stay valid for 12 months.