Aerial Photography
Flying M Air's helicopter is extremely well suited as an aerial photograph platform. With doors off, the helicopter offers glare-free opportunities to take photos of virtually any subject from the air. Here's where you can learn more about our services, including special aerial photography excursions for groups of two or more people.
- Options and Capabilities
- Photography Experience
- Aerial Photography Rates and Fees
- Payload vs. Flight Time
- Lake Powell Aerial Photography Excursion
Have something else in mind? Contact us to discuss it.
Options and Capabilities 
Options and Capabilities
We offer the following options for photographers:
Doors-off flight. We can remove one or more doors during flight to offer a glare-free view of the subject.- Anchor points for photographer harnesses. Our aircraft is equipped with shoulder harnesses as well as firm anchor points to which harnesses can be attached. We can provide a harness if necessary. (Seat belts or harnesses are required for all passengers during all phases of flight.)
- Up close and personal. Our pilot can get within 50 feet of a subject on the ground or in the water for close-up shots.
- Hovering operations. Depending upon total aircraft weight with passengers and environmental conditions such as temperature and altitude, our pilot can bring the aircraft into a full stop hover to offer a still platform for work.
- High-speed operations. Our aircraft can cruise at airspeeds of up to 100 knots (115 MPH) with doors off.
Important Note: Clients should understand that there are certain risks involved in over-water operations and out-of-ground effect hovering operations at altitudes less than 300 feet. We will explain these risks in detail before booking the flight. By flying with us, the client assumes all risks involved with the flight. Our pilot will not attempt any maneuver she considers dangerous or beyond the capabilities of the aircraft.
Photography Experience
Flying M Air’s chief pilot has considerable experience working with photographers and videographers to capture still and moving photos of subjects on the ground from the air.
We have provided services for the following types aerial photography jobs:
Boat races at Lake Havasu in western Arizona.
We have worked with several different photographers for still and video photography of live boat racing action at Lake Havasu.
Automobile, truck, and buggy activity on closed test tracks and live racing events.
We have worked with five different photographers for still and video photography, including high-speed chase sequences. Here’s an example of some video from the 2008 Parker 425 Off-road race; all aerial sequences were shot from our helicopter.
Real estate photography.
We have worked with numerous photographers for still photographs of undeveloped and developed property, including empty land and buildings.
Architectural photography.
We have worked with a still photographer to photograph road work and a bridge under construction.
Artistic photography.
We have worked with dozens of amateur and professional photographers to capture images of the Lake Powell, Monument Valley, San Juan River Goosenecks, and Shiprock areas from the air.
What kind of job are you considering? Why not contact us with the details to see how we can serve you?
Aerial Photography Rates and Fees
The following rates apply for aerial photography services:
Basic Aerial Photography Flight Services
These rates apply to still or video photography over non-moving subjects such as landscape, buildings, roads, bridges, etc.
All Flight Time, Including Aircraft Repositioning Time:
Less than 5 hours: $495/hour
5 to 10 hours: $450/hour
More than 10 hours: $400/hour (must be over a period of 2 or more days)
These rates apply only to the time the engine is running. Time is measured by an on-board Hobbs meter, which records engine-on time in 1/10 hour increments. This rate also applies to aircraft repositioning time — for example, to move the helicopter from its home base to another location for the job.
Waiting Time (Engine Off):
Up to 4 hours: included
More than 4 hours: $50/hour
Overnight: $200-$300/night (depending on location)
This compensates the pilot and covers meals, lodging, and ground transportation costs for the pilot during long assignments.
Chasing Cars, Trucks, or Boats During Races
These rates apply to still or video photography that requires the pilot to “chase” high-speed subjects, including cars, trucks, off-road vehicles, or boats during races or time trials. Aircraft passenger load is limited to 3 people (including the pilot) with a total weight not to exceed 550 lbs. due to the performance demands of this kind of flying.
Ferry Time:
In an effort to simplify cost calculations, we have pre-calculated aircraft repositioning time and related costs to certain race locations. These ferry fees must be paid in addition to actual flight time with the photographer on board. If the race location that interests you is not listed, contact us.
Parker, AZ: $750
Lake Havasu: $750
Primm, NV: $,1,000
Henderson, NV: $1,000
Las Vegas, NV: $1,000
Photo Flight Time
Flat Rate: $495/hour
Minimum Flight Time: 4 hours guaranteed
This rate also applies to time spent repositioning the aircraft for fuel.
Waiting Time (Engine Off):
Up to 4 hours: Included
More than 4 hours: $50/hour
Overnight: $200-$300/night (depending on location)
This compensates the pilot and covers meals, lodging, and ground transportation costs for the pilot during long assignments.
Permits and Other Fees:
Clients are expected to obtain, at their own cost, any required permits for a flight. In areas requiring permits, Flying M Air will not fly unless we have a copy of the permit on file. Flying M Air will advise all clients, at the time of the booking, if a permit may be required for a flight.
Clients are also responsible for any landing fees, ground fees, or other fees related to the flight.
Payload vs. Flight Time
In an effort to help charter clients understand the payload limitations of our aircraft, we’ve put together the following chart of payload (total passenger and baggage weight) vs. flight time.
To use this chart, follow find the Payload Weight value for the total weight you expect to have on board. If the exact weight amount is not shown, choose the next higher amount. Then follow that line across to the time column. This will tell you the maximum amount of time we can fly with your payload between refueling stops.
| Payload Weight | Flight Time |
| 510 lbs | 2-1/2 hours |
| 560 lbs | 2 hours |
| 620 lbs | 1-1/2 hours |
| 675 lbs | 1 hour |
| 700 lbs | 45 minutes |
| 720 lbs | 30 minutes |
These calculations assume reserve fuel as required by the FAA and operations in normal conditions. Lower flight times may apply if any of the following are true:
- the flight is to be conducted hot conditions
- the flight will depart from or land at a high elevation location
- the flight requires unusual flight maneuvers or out of ground effect hover operation
Contact us for details if you expect your flight’s total payload to exceed 600 lbs.
Lake Powell Aerial Photography Excursion
Gather up your cameras, lenses, and tripod for a photo journey you’ll never forget!
This two-day photo excursion for two begins at 8 AM in Phoenix, AZ, where your pilot will pick you up at the Phoenix area airport of your choice. From there, it’s a 2-1/2 hour flight to Page, AZ on the southwest end of beautiful Lake Powell. Along the way you’ll pass by the former ghost town of Jerome and incredible red rock formations west of Sedona. After a quick fuel stop at Williams, AZ, the flight path will skirt the restricted Grand Canyon airspace to enter the Painted Desert right over the Little Colorado River Gorge. From there, you’ll fly over the remote homesteads of the western most part of the Navajo Reservation before landing at Page Municipal Airport.
From the airport, you’ll head directly to Antelope Canyon a magnificent slot canyon carved into solid sandstone. Arriving at mid-day, the light will be just right for photography. You can choose from Upper Antelope Canyon, which is smaller and more dramatic but often quite crowded or Lower Antelope Canyon, which is larger and more difficult to maneuver in, but seldom crowded. Either way, you’ll have time to photograph the swirling patterns of erosion on the rock walls.
Afterwards, check into your hotel room at Wahweap Marina, right on the shore of Lake Powell. Depending on the time of year, you can relax for a while on your room’s balcony or with a dip in the pool.
Two hours before sunset, you’ll head back out to the airport for your first of two hour-long photo flights along the lake. The helicopter will be prepared with doors off, so there’s nothing between your camera lens and the lake’s outrageous scenery. Your flight will include views of the Glen Canyon Dam and Bridge, famous Horseshoe Bend, the Wahweap and Antelope Marinas, Padre Bay, and Gunsite Butte, before heading uplake as far as the Confluence of the SanJuan River to more remote canyons and scenery. At that time of day, the low-lying sun will accentuate the colors of the rocks and deepen the shadows.
After an evening on your own back at the lodge, you’ll get an early start the next day with a flight as early as sunrise. You’ll retrace the route you followed the evening before or tell the pilot where you want to go to capture the images you have in mind.
After checking out and lunch on your own, you’ll return once more to the airport for your flight back to Phoenix. The pilot will take you on a different route that includes an overflight of Meteor Crater, a fuel stop at Flagstaff, and a quick red rocks tour of Sedona. You’ll touch down in Phoenix before 4 PM.
Package Price
Total price for this excursion is $3,495 double occupancy for two people. (This price covers both people.) Due to size and weight constraints, we cannot accommodate more than 2 people for this excursion. Add $250 for single occupancy for two passengers. This price is guaranteed for all trips booked through December 31, 2008.
Package price includes round trip helicopter transportation between Phoenix and Page, a total of 2 hours of doors-off aerial photography flight time in the vicinity of the lake, Antelope Canyon Tour, ground transportation in Page, and lodging for up to two people as described. Passengers are responsible for all incidental costs not specifically included in the description, including all meals and the cost of personal items purchased on the trip.
Flying M Air reserves the right to change hotel accommodations and flight routes from what may be listed here in the event of unavailability or inclement weather. In all instances, substituted accommodations will meet or exceed those offered here.
Customize Your Excursion
You may choose among the following options to customize this excursion:
- Aerial photography flights only. Provide your own transportation to Lake Powell and make all of your own hotel and tour arrangements. This option is recommended for people who plan to be in the area for other purposes or for groups larger than 2 people. If you select this option, you’ll get just two flights of one hour each over the lake. Deduct $500.
- Additional aerial photography flight time. Time is billable in tenths of an hour. Add $495 per hour.
- Additional people. We cannot fly more than 2 people from Phoenix to Page and back for an overnight trip due to weight and stowage constraints. However, if other members of your party want to meet at Page, we can take them on the aerial photography portions of the flight. Our helicopter can accommodate up to 3 passengers for photography. There’s no additional fee if these people fly during the 2 hours of total aerial photography flight time included in this trip. If more time is needed, it’s avaiable at the rate of $495 per hour for up to 3 people. Please keep in mind that performance is limited when the helicopter flies at or near maximum gross weight. For that reason, we recommend no more than two photographers on board for any flight.
- Doors off for all flight time, including travel time. This slows down the aircraft, increasing the amount of travel time. Add $500.
- Visit both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons while at Page. For best lighting, this should be done on two separate days, so departure on second day will be delayed. Add $100.
- Additional nights at Lake Powell. Add $500 per night. (Remember, the pilot and aircraft must remain in Page, too.)
- Return via Monument Valley. You’ll get look at the most famous of the monuments from the air. This will add nearly an hour to the total flight time. We are currently not approved to do aerial photography flights over Monument Valley without a permit. Also, choosing this option will force a fuel stop in Winslow instead of Flagstaff. Add $750.
Reservations are Required
Reservations are required at least 14 days in advance. To guarantee availability, we recommend booking 30 to 60 days in advance. A 50% deposit is required at the time of reservation. Full payment must be received within 3 days of departure. We have a 30-day cancellation policy; all deposits are forfeited for cancellations less than 30 days before departure date.
Weight Restrictions
Total passenger and luggage weight is limited to 550 lbs. Luggage size is limited by stowage space constraints. Each passenger may bring 1 small overnight bag, 1 camera bag, and 1 tripod. (A tripod is highly recommended for Antelope Canyon photography.)
Other Considerations
Walking distances of up to 1/4 mile may be required at Page Municipal Airport, Antelope Canyon, and Wahweap Lodge. This trip is not recommended for people with health problems or special dietary needs, or people who have difficulty getting around. Trip starts and ends at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (or another Phoenix area airport of the passenger’s choosing).
Although the weather in Northern Arizona during the spring and autumn months is generally picture perfect (pun intended), Flying M Air cannot control the weather. If conditions are safe for flight, the flight will be conducted and no refunds will be given. Flying M Air reserves the right to delay flights in the event of problematic weather. A full refund of the excursion price will be given if the excursion must be cancelled due to weather.
Important Note
This trip is not being offered as a guided tour. Instead, it is a series of charter helicopter flights, for the purpose of transportation between Phoenix and Page and aerial photography in the vicinity of Lake Powell, packaged with lodging and tours offered by a licensed tour operator. Although the helicopter flights pass over and through some of the most incredible scenery the southwest has to offer, Flying M Air is not a tour operator in these areas and is not conducting the flights as tours.
