Helicopter Flights
Hot-air balloon
Other Experiences
To help youAir Touraine provides professional aerial photography services for television, film, documentaries, advertising, sporting events, and surveillance missions.
Based in Touraine, our teams work with filmmakers, producers, communications agencies, businesses, and local governments to plan and execute their aerial filming projects throughout France.
Depending on the project's needs, Air Touraine can provide a helicopter, a professional crew, an on-board videographer or photographer, as well as certified mounts for stabilized camera systems.
Aerial images for all projects
Television, Film, and Documentaries
Helicopter aerial photography allows for wide shots, tracking shots, immersive camera movements, and aerial views of the landscape—all of which are particularly well-suited for films, TV series, documentaries, and news reports.
Air Touraine works closely with directors, cinematographers, and production teams to tailor the flight to the pace of filming and the artistic requirements of each scene.
Advertising, Communication, and Tourism
Aerial footage adds a whole new dimension to commercials, marketing campaigns, and corporate content.
In particular, they can be used to showcase an industrial site, a tourist destination, a hotel, a landmark, a region, an event, or a real estate project.
Sports and Events
Air Touraine can also provide coverage for sporting events, auto races, cultural events, concerts, festivals, and business events.
Filming can be done for delayed broadcast, live broadcast, or the production of content for social media. The technical setup is determined in consultation with the organizer and the production company.
Hiring of cameramen, photographers, and camera operators
Air Touraine can arrange for a cameraman, photographer, director, or camera operator to fly aboard the helicopter.
Depending on the aircraft and the chosen configuration, the operator may work from the cockpit, with visibility appropriate for the flight, or from an authorized opening when technical and regulatory conditions permit.
The flight is organized to ensure good working conditions for the operator while maintaining the necessary safety margins for the pilot and the entire crew.
Gyro-stabilized cameras and certified mounts
For productions requiring a very steady image, smooth movements, or long-focus shots, our helicopters can be equipped with certified mounts compatible with stabilized camera systems such as Cineflex, WESCAM, or GSS.
This equipment is particularly well-suited for tracking shots, lateral movements, panning shots, high-angle shots, and scenes that require precise framing despite the helicopter’s movements.
Compatibility between the device, the mount, and the camera system is assessed before each mission. In particular, the installation may require verification of:
- the weight and balance of the equipment;
- securing and fastening the support;
- the visibility of the pilot and the operator;
- power supply and video transmission;
- the configuration of the doors and the cabin;
- the filming environment and the flight profile.
Helicopters designed for filming
Air Touraine's fleet includes Bell 206 and Bell 505 helicopters, which are used for sightseeing flights, transfers, aerial work, and aerial photography.
The choice of equipment depends on the type of shoot, the number of people to be carried, the camera used, the need for visibility, and the configuration of the mount.
The aircraft can be configured to accommodate a camera operator, photographic equipment, or a specific imaging device, provided that the weight, center of gravity, and safety limits specific to each mission are met.
Comprehensive preparation for the shoot
An aerial shoot is planned several days or weeks in advance, depending on the complexity of the project. Air Touraine supports the production team through the key stages of preparation:
- Project analysis: locations, scenes, routes, schedules, topics to cover, and desired outcome.
- Reconnaissance: assessment of the environment, obstacles, sensitive areas, and landing options.
- Choosing the setup: device, cameraman, camera, mount, stabilization system, and communication equipment.
- Regulatory preparation: airspace, authorizations, local restrictions, and coordination with the relevant authorities.
- Operational briefing: assignment of roles, safety procedures, shooting routes, and instructions to be followed during filming.
- Flight execution: Capturing imagery in accordance with the flight plan, weather conditions, and operational limits.
Safety and Coordination with Production Teams
The success of an aerial shoot depends as much on the quality of the footage as it does on the flight preparation.
The pilot remains responsible for flying the helicopter and may adjust or suspend the mission if weather, technical, or operational conditions are not favorable.
The Air Touraine teams work in coordination with the director, the director of photography, the camera operator, the stage manager, and the production managers to ensure that everything runs smoothly and safely.
Experience with aerial work
Based in Touraine since 1978, Air Touraine has been active for several decades in the fields of aerial photography, transportation, aerial work, and infrastructure monitoring.
Our teams operate in the Centre-Val de Loire region, the Greater West, the Paris region, and throughout France, depending on the needs of the shoot.
Let's talk about your project
Are you preparing a movie, a TV show, a commercial, a news report, a sporting event, or a surveillance operation?
Please provide us with the filming locations, your preferred dates, the type of camera, the number of people to be carried, and the desired look. We will work with you to determine the most suitable aerial solution.
