We are consulting with Gulfstream re:: these cameras. Not only is the low resolution surprising, they have no ability to record either. We are giving them a whole new perspective on what these cameras might do. You would think that you’d get a capable 4K camera with your $80 million dollar aircraft. Maybe we need to put a Shotover on the nose😂
Agreed, Jim. That is such a cool angle that they have and they could do so much for their marketing by having their clients submit images from trips with unique lighting and skyscapes...
What's a grand or two in the scheme of an $80 million aircraft, right??
Exactly! It's not a problem in this instance (or any instance where someone is buying one of these aircraft) but nothing on a Gulfstream is a couple of grand. The cost of ownership, once you have made the initial stroke, is just unimaginable. Just the recurrent training for the crews is in the millions every year, muchness periodic inspections. Most manufacturers offer maintenance programs where the client has a monthly fee that covers any and all repair items, the engines are on a scheduled maintenance contract as well, kind of an insurance policy so th aircraft owner has an idea of what their monthly outlay will be. This particular 650ER has close to 5,000 hours on it, but it is immaculate.
I would take a wild guess at a camera revision in the vertical stabilizer being north of $250,000 with the required STC's, and that might be very low. There is a camera in that spot, one on the belly, and one on the nose.
I remember a conversation with a good friend of mine years ago, he flew a GV for an insurance company out of Louisville. They had a loaded Piper Seneca that they used for an airborne pick up truck, it was worth $250,000 at the time. The GV needed wheels, brakes and tires, they sold the Seneca and came out even on the undercarriage expenditure. On the other hand, we were sitting in the GV having lunch on the ramp at love field when the company's Lear 60 rolled up, seems the CEO forgot some paperwork that morning so the Lear flew it down. This is a world that is inconceivable to mere mortals, but it sure is nice to peer into it once in a while.
Had the opportunity to photograph this beautiful G450 last week, as the owner is upgrading to a new G550. Parked next to it, in the hangar was a Boeing BBJ. Oh how I would have loved to have gone on board that jet and taken a tour. Oh well.
AIRSPEED is out and there are some great articles. Check out the story from Marc Schulz on working helicopters at sea, just incredible, and incredibly well done!
JWilsonphoto wrote:
AIRSPEED is out and there are some great articles. Check out the story from Marc Schulz on working helicopters at sea, just incredible, and incredibly well done!
Wonderful and well written article, Jim. A pleasure to read and I can't begin to imagine how rewarding this trip must have been for you and the memories it created for you and JIII.
Thank you Gero, it was quite an experience. I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself and this assignment was no exception, but when a client is investing that kind of money in a trip you kind of feel like you better hit it out of the park.
We have a new aircraft at HQ! Never in a million years did I imagine that I would have a Bell 206 five feet from my desk, and at my disposal whenever I need to fly aerials, God Is Good!!
Just returned from a four day trip to capture logistics centers in the Rio Grande Valley. Despite very gusty winds and temps hovering around 108, the projects are all captured and they look better than they ever will in real life. All the properties were within a stone's throw of the border wall on the Texas side of the Rio Grande River. While there are still plenty of Border Patrol officers working along the river, the difference in activity compared to two years ago was night and day. I didn't have any law enforcement officers asking me if I had a death wish like the last assignment, nevertheless my Glock was always within reach, per their recommendation. My last project was in Laredo, an incredibly busy hub for international trucking. I have never seen so many tractor trailer rigs in my life, literally thousands. That old saying, "If you've got it, chances are very good that a truck brought it", was in evidence. How Border Patrol keeps an eye on all those vehicles and people is mind boggling.
The temperature had dropped to a balmy 100 when I walked out into a neighboring field to fly the drone for this shot, keeping my eyes peeled for rattle snakes, scorpions and tarantulas.
Those of you who don't know Adam Baker, he is an unlimited airshow performer on a par with greats like Mike Goulian and Rob Holland. He has taken another route because of his commitment to his family so he only does a half dozen shows a year. He flies for Southwest and manages several corporate jets for clients. Adam is a great guy and a dear friend, he hangars two hangars east of HQ and is a regular visitor. Flying with him is a real treat, he is one of those people that quite literally, was born to fly.
Man, everyone must just be trying to survive the summer, pretty quiet around here. We have about six weeks here in Texas before the days become more tolerable, it's a tough go for now. The older I get, the more I have to remind myself that I'm not 30 anymore so I have to shoot smarter when I can.
