I have done air-to-air shots from a variety of aircraft, both as pilot
and as photographer: A T-34 Texan, a Stearman biplane, a DG-500, a
TG-2, and a couple of others that I canot think of at the moment. I
have done it with canopies on, canopies off, and open cockpit. All had
their plusses and minuses but the best shots were taken when I flew the
DG-500 and another fellow took pictures. We took photos of several
gliders in DG, even flying in formation for a long time with a Ka-8.

I think maybe any 2-place glider with pilots who are comfortable flying
in close formation would work (the DG and K-8 were VERY close). We
flew mostly in still air. The K-8 pilot mostly flew looking straight
ahead (and looked for other aircraft) while I kept the distances
between us and watched for other aircraft. I had to keep my speed down
and he had to keep his up.

The most difficult that I worked with was the Texan (I took pictures
and someone else flew) which, although it could slow down some, could
not slow down enough and had to make really large turns. However, I
still managed to get a great cover shot of a TG-2 over the Tehachapi
(CA) windmills.

Basically I think that any airplane--even 2-place glider--capable of
flying slow enough would work. A Cub or Super Cub should be ideal
although I have never worked with any. The Polish Wilga was
specificlly built to serve as a camera platform and can fly VERY
slowly.

Banking the camera platform may be necessary for good photos if you do
not want your wing in the shot, but you will have to be quick on the
shutter release and be ready to follow the subject. This will be true
with both high and low wing aircraft. Banking the subject glider makes
a great shot.

The very most important part will be the pilots. If one or both pilot
is uncomfortable flying slow or especially flying slow in close
proximity of another aircraft, you have a bad camera platform and a
potentially dangerous situation. BOTH pilots have to be
comfortable!!!! Plus, rough air of any sort is definately to be
avoided in my opinion. Still air is best but light thermals should be
OK.

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PILOTS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Even if only the
camera plane pilot talks, use your radio!!!!! I cannot emphasize this
enough.

Pre-planning and pre-flight briefings with both pilots and the
photographer are very important as well. Everyone should know what is
expected of them and what the other people are going to be doing. But
be flexible because conditions will change.

Also, although I never used a stabilized lense I got great shots
anyway.

Stephen Cook wrote:
At my club we want to take some air to air photographs of a glider for
promotional purposes. Does anyone have any useful experience they can pass
on?

Questions I'm thinking of:
What is a suitable camera aircraft? I imagine another glider is not the
easiest for getting the camera where you want it but does have the benefit
of low vibration. However I will be using an image stabilised lens. High
wing or low wing? What formation to fly? What is the best/easiest
combination of distance between the aircraft and lens focal length? What
pattern to fly? Obviously having the sun in the right place is important
but we can't fly in a straight line forever. I imagine if you're using a
tug (which has just launched the subject glider) you wouldn't want the rope
on the back.

I know that careful planning and briefing is important.

Stephen

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