May 24, 2011 - There is a mission that is more dangerous than aerobatics, formation and probably most other missions that you can fly in a former military jet. It requires a departure from many normal procedures, sometimes putting a person other than the pilot in command of the aircraft directing the flight. Watch out for these potentially scary missions.

The dangerous mission is a photo flight; uneventful if planned, briefed and flown precisely, but a hazard if the concern for photos encourages pilots and crew to deviate from safe practices: “get in closer, go high and roll toward the camera ship.”

Many photo flights are flown every week without incident, mostly because of the professionalism demonstrated by all the participants. Without that professionalism, however, they represent a risk that should be avoided.

A few brief words of guidance on these missions:

1. Thoroughly brief the mission
2. Use qualified pilots
3. Don’t deviate from the briefing
4. Fly safe regardless of the completion of the photo objectives
5. Abort if any hazard or change in circumstances surfaces

It’s gratifying to get photos of your aircraft - especially with you flying it - but not worth encroaching on safe flight standards. Assume the photo flight will be your “most dangerous mission.”

Douglas Gilliss, CFII, ATP