We Are The Aerial Film Company
we make it fly
With a shared passion for film and aviation, Phil & Will (or PhWill as Tom Cruise calls them) are in demand for their can do attitude and motivation to push the boundaries in the aerial filming space. Backed by a 24/7 helicopter operation, The Aerial Film Company provides an unmatched level of service and expertise. AFC offers a true end-to-end solution for film and television as the only company to provide aircraft, aerial camera systems, flight crew, technicians and operations all in-house. The synergy between the camera pilot and aerial DOP stand at the centre of our film operations, and they’re backed up by our operations team with strong relationships with regulating bodies such as the CAA, which allows us to obtain permits for even the most challenging shoots.
Our Approach
Strong collaboration stands at the heart of our operations. The best equipment in the world is only as good as the team behind it. Our flying crew is backed up by a 24/7 operations team, which means we can focus on working with the director and DOP to bring their vision to screen, whilst permits and operational matters are handled efficiently in the background.
Led by Will Banks and Phil Arntz, The Aerial Film Company brings together some of the world’s best technicians, ground and flight crews with the sole focus on providing the best aerial work possible.
Aircraft
We have aircraft for every occasion. Camera helicopters, our high-speed Pilatus PC-9 and a whole range of machines which can be used for talent and crew charter.
Camera Systems
All equipment is owned and maintained in-house by The Aerial Film Company. This is unique because it offers total redundancy and infinite creative possibilities.
Trusted By
FAQs
How do I book your services?
Contact Us either through email or via telephone and one of our team will get back to you right away. Our Ops team is always on hand to guide you through the process of booking any of our services needed for your production.
What cameras can you fly?
We can fly all commonly available cameras currently in use across the industry. Be it the latest digital cinema cameras, film cameras or even IMAX, our systems can accommodate payloads of all different shapes and sizes. Head over to our services page for a breakdown of common payloads we fly.
Where are you based?
Our main helicopter base is in Knutsford, Cheshire in the north of the UK. We have helicopters positioned all across the UK which allows us to match the right machine to the job. International operations are achieved by either ferrying our helicopters across by air, in our Helicopter Transporter or by using one of our trusted helicopter partners abroad.
Can you operate abroad?
We certainly can and we love it. We have a lot of experience operating in countries all over the world. Recent productions took us to South Africa, Slovakia, Italy, Spain, Norway, the Arctic circle and the middle east.
Can you fly in bad weather?
Our aircraft are all-weather capable. However, low clouds and fog can provide issues for helicopters departing and arriving at private landing sites such as unit base or on location. Our camera systems are also all-weather capable and we can provide rain spinners for the lens. Best results however are always achieved when no precipitation is present at all.
What about permits and flying permissions?
We have decades of experience when it comes to obtaining the relevant permits and permissions for helicopter operations. We are also one of the very few helicopter operators in the country with a permanent Enhanced Low Flying Permission, bringing our minimum separation and altitude down to 200 feet from the standard 500 feet required. Beyond that, permits are secured on individual application to legally allow us to perform operations in close proximity to structures, people and vehicles. Our operations team has years of experience working with the Civil Aviation Authority to get the permits required for even the most challenging shoots.
Can you operate on location for extended periods of time?
We take care of all the logistics required for extended periods on location. Our fuel bowser keeps aircraft flying all day, whilst our fire truck and fire fighters keep operations safe. All weather covers and tie-downs mean we can keep our aircraft on location overnight, ready to start filming at sunrise the next morning.
Can you arrange last minute helicopter charters for talent/crew?
We understand the sometimes hectic and last minute nature of the film industry all too well and will do our very best to accommodate urgent requests for any of our aircraft services. An entire fleet of aircraft at The Aerial Film Company means that we can usually get you a helicopter without delay. The best thing to do is contact us right away via email or telephone.