Day 03 // Installs, Test Flights and Our First Shoots! : #helenagetsanupgrade
Well, this was it! The final day of our training and time to head out on this new adventure! (Project #HelenaGetsAnUpgrade is complete!!!)
Our day began back at GSS getting all of our gear together, loading it up into trucks and heading over to the airport. The GSS guys (along with Serg from Alpine Aviation) helped us get the gimbal installed on "Helena." (BTW... that picture below of the brass looking thing on the end of the pole mount is a 41 lb. brass counterweight. It is really freaking heavy!)
Once we got all the equipment installed (and got some lunch!), we did a few hover tests and flew a few patterns around the airport. Matt wanted to make sure that he was ready for the extra weight and new balance and handling while Alex wanted to make sure that all of his training on the GSS system really prepped him for real-world shooting. Fortunately, any concerns were quickly subdued after a successful test run. We said goodbye to our new friends from GSS and headed out!
Our first stop was Concord Airport where we refueled and Alex took the opportunity to take a few more pictures of the ship with the gimbal.
After Concord, we hit up the Bay Area and had a blast tearing around the bay, following bridges, cruising through the city and topping the clouds! Then we headed down to Cupertino to get some shots of the new Apple Park campus (it's MASSIVE!) and then ended our day landing next to a Bell Long Ranger in San Jose. (We can't wait to share the footage we got today with you!)
Tomorrow, we'll make our way back home getting some more great footage along the way!