Photo Contest Entries

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Sikorsky made MH-60T Jayhawk assigned to Coast Guard Air Station San Diego, CA prepares to launch on a rescue mission off the San Diego coast during a break in wet weather.

Alex Lipin

3

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Getting ready for Hoist mission. Crew was checking the helicopter. Did their walkaround as usual to check everything. When one of the crew spotted the sunrise he decided to take this beautiful picture and took off for a hoist mission in a wind farm in the North Sea.

Manuel Mai

6

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This heavily modified CH-47D Chinook operated by Coulson Aviation and part of their Quick Reaction Force (QRF), operates as Helitanker 55, during nighttime fire operations on a raging vegetation fire south of Tehachapi, CA.

Alex Lipin

13

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why not a Kawasaki Vertol KV-107-II S/N. 4003 that of Heliswiss International the N185CH to get out of the woods in Bex on June 27, 2024 or the staff in full briefing?

Bessard Joël

4

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During the evening hours on a Monday, a Bell 407GXI operated by the San Diego County Sheriff's Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agencies (ASTREA) unit, sets out on patrol with a ride along passenger for the duration of the flight.

Alex Lipin

3

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H125 of Savoie Hélicoptères compagny  working on transporting gravel with a spider excavator loading skips for ski lift work in the mountains with difficult access

Vaillant Théo

2

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An American AH-64E Apache helicopter out of Fort Novosel, Alabama flies down the Gulf Coast over the Atlantic Ocean. The AH-64 is the primary attack helicopter of the United States Army.

Hannah Lamb

4

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Los Angeles City FD Fire-4 makes a drop on a brush fire in the Sepulveda Basin on June 28, 2024.  This fire began in a homeless encampment and included exploding propane tanks, so water drops were more appropriate than hand lines.

Greg Doyle

5

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Los Angeles County FD Copter 22 makes a drop on the Placerita Fire in Santa Clarita on September 4, 2024.  This was one of three fires along State Route 14.  In total, around 10 acres burned thanks to the good work of helicopters and hand crews.  Among the hazards was a set of high tension power lines on a nearby hillside.

Greg Doyle

3

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An Italian CH-47F (EI-709 MM81786) of Aviazione dell’Esercito landing on a snowy plateau during “Volpe Bianca” exercise; the helicopter is equipped with snow landing skids

Giorgio Gherbassi

8

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Australian Helitak FT4250 at work dumping its 4250L water load from a AS332 Super Puma from European Firecats (HeliAustria/LionsAir) during a live demo at Bad Voslau airport.

Adrien Dillard

2

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CAL FIRE Copter 608 from the CAL FIRE Riverside Unit, responds to a raging 890 acre vegetation fire dubbed the "Lisa Fire" off Highway 60 in Riverside County, CA.

Alex Lipin

2

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AUGUSTAWESTLAND A109
Operated by No. 3 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force the A-109 is a training and light utility helicopter.  The twin-engine aircraft has a modern glass cockpit and a retractable wheeled undercarriage.  This A-109 has seating for two pilots and four passengers. a maximum cruising speed of 285 km/h and a normal ferry range of 650km.  On display at War Birds Over Wanaka 2024

Michelle Slater

1

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San Diego Fire-Rescue Copter 3 making a drop during the San Diego County wildland drill. The drill took place for three days from April 30th through May 2nd. Various agencies throughout the county participated.

Ryan Grothe

5

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Cape Fear ValleyAir on the helipad at Lumberton Rescue. It is waiting for a patient from the hospital which is a couple of miles down the raod to be transport to another facility..

Travis Gentry

2

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One of Heli-Austria very famous MD902 Explorer responding to a medical emergency call during a customer demo at Bad Voslau airport near Vienna (Austria).

Adrien Dillard

3

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Three TEMSCO helicopters AS350s departing a dog sledding camp high up on the Mendenhall glacier on a beautiful Alaskan day. Background is mount stroller white.

Logan Molaison

1

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An AH-64E Apache hovers over a flooded area at a Dutch Army Training Area. The Netherlands is upgrading its legacy AH-64D fleet to the ‘Echo’ (E) Version 6 standard and operates a fleet of 28 airframes

Ron Kellenaers

13

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I captured this magnificent H125 from the Savoie Hélicoptères company in the Mont-Blanc massif at 12,500 ft after dropping off technicians on a stop. I am a helper for the company so I took advantage of having my camera to capture this exceptional moment

Vaillant Théo

16

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Crew Member: NH-90 HELICOPTER
The RNZAF operates a fleet of eight NH90 Helicopters operated by No. 3 Squadron.  They have been in full service since 2015.  The NH90 is a twin-engine, medium utility helicopter featuring a fly-by-wire control system, full ice protection sysem and a fibre-glass composite structure.  The central role is to provide tactical air mobility operations for the New Zealand Defence Force.  Photographed at Warbirds over Wanaka 2024

Michelle Slater

5

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I started heading to the Post Fire near Gorman, California on the first day.  Because of heavy traffic, it took me over 4 hours to get there.  I decided to stay overnight so I could go back to the fire. I saw where the helicopters were dropping and pulled on to a dirt road to get in the right position. All of a sudden the brush flared up, at the exact time Siller’s Sikorsky SR-61A was getting ready to drop. I shot many others helicopters there, but none with the intense flame. Getting to the right location takes a lot planning, luck, and timing.

Marty Wolin

5

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Hoist Rescue Training in Pemberton, British Columbia with Blackcomb Helicopters Bell 212HP aircraft, SR3 trainers and Cougar Helicopters Rescue Techs.

Nicola Horsfall

2

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...without maintenance personnel nothing could fly! There is talk around the HB-ZEF H135 T3 from Air-Glaciers just before its first test with its new colors on July 15, 2024 in Sion (VS) Switzerland

Bessard Joël

3

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A VRM-30 DET 5 Osprey does touch and goes at NAF El Centro, California. I got permission to go out next to the runway and the lighting when the Osprey arrived,  was "picture perfect". I used a very slow shutter speed of 1/100 of a second in order to blurred the slow moving props and still keep the aircraft sharp.

Marty Wolin

2

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Maryland State Police Trooper 5 landing at WVU Children’s Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia. MSP Trooper 5 is based out of Cumberland, Maryland. The Maryland State Police flies these helicopters out of 7 bases throughout the state of Maryland.

Christopher Parks

4

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I captured this magnificent H125 from the Savoie Hélicoptères company in the Mont-Blanc massif at 12,500 ft during an approach to drop off technicians at the Goûter refuge. I am a helper for the company so I took advantage of having my camera to capture this exceptional moment

Vaillant Théo

17

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I was at the Record Fire on a road where the fire was on both sides.  I watched where the helicopters were dropping water and I drove a little way up the road, hopefully to put myself in the correct location. I put on my Nikon 24mm to 70mm lens and started shooting when Helicopter Transport Services, Skycrane flew over. I have to say the overspray of the water landing on me was very refreshing because I was in my full fire gear and the temperature was over 100°.

Marty Wolin

4

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K-Max HB-ZTW from Rotex during a wood hauling on Martigny (CH) August 6, 2024 this helicopter is single-seater and very suitable for wood, assembly and also for forest fires

Bessard Joël

88

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S-64F I-CFAH “Orso Bruno” taking off from Biella-Cerrione airport for a new firefighting mission in the beautiful winter scenery of the Italian Alps; the helicopter is operated by European Air Crane

Giorgio Gherbassi

6

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CH-47 at Fort Novosel AL located next to Headquarters building on Novosel Avenue across from the parade field and near the old Officers Club. It is part of a display of four military helicopters; AH-1 Cobra, OH-58 Kiowa, UH-60 , and CH-47

Ronald Alexander

2

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A Sillar Brothers owned SH-3 Sea King on contract with CalFire and a CalFire Aircrane at work on the Park Fire as it pushed towards Mineral in California

Nick Moir

3

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The Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments work closely together.  New LAFD pilots receive initial training from LAPD instructor pilots prior to moving into the Fire Department's AW-139's.  Here a Fire pilot in training spools up Fire-6, a Bell 505, with the iconic City Hall in the background.

Greg Doyle

9

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All night long for Helismur 62 and 59. This picture was taken just before take off for the next rescue mission in the north of France.
Theses two helicopters are located in Arras and Lille.

Thomas Vildary

3

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07-27-2024. - CalFire Copter 604 picking up Fire Crews from the Creek Fire. The Creek Fire was a 744 acre wildfire in The Sunil area of Alameda County California. CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit

Christopher Eckenrode

9

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AS350B Working on Fertilizer Spraying for Cattle Pasture Maintenance, 500 Liters Product Per Flight, Great Tool For Farmer, 3000 Acres Per Crop. Better result and performance than airplane, great work in mountains or rough terrain.

Fabiano Oliveira

3

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An Airbus MH-65E Dolphin assigned to Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco, CA, arrives in Anaheim, CA for an exclusive helicopter event on Feb. 23, 2024.

Alex Lipin

14

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Two UH-72 Lakota helicopters hover at a training airfield at Fort Novosel, Alabama. The Lakota is the primary training helicopter for the United States Army and is utilized for the entirety of Initial Entry Rotary Wing training for Army officers and warrant officers.

Hannah Lamb

3

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Sikorsky MH-60 (SeaHawk) Helicopter flying in to attend the EAA  AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin USA.
Photo taken by Jeff Schneider  July 22, 2024

Jeffrey Schneider

8

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Photo was taking during logging operations on the West Coast of British Columbia Canada with HeliQwests H-60 Blackhawk during the spring months of 2024.

Jay Blythman

3

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1st test flight with its new Ai-Glaciers color for the first of the H135 T3s the Hotel Bravo Zoulou Echo Fox in front of the maintenance workshops 15.07.24

Bessard Joël

2

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3 Black Hawks and 3 Chinook USA came to carry out training flights for a few days in Switzerland from Payerne aerodrome (CH) photo taken on May 15, 2024

Bessard Joël

2

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Hoist Rescue Training above Pemberton, British Columbia with Blackcomb Helicopters Bell212, SR3 Rescue Concepts trainers, and Cougar Helicopters Rescue Techs.

Nicola Horsfall

4

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I found the reservoir in Highland, California where the helicopters were refilling to drop at the Little Fire, after driving on a few dirt roads.  After the Siller Skycrane was heading back to drop on the fire, I took this picture with Helimax’s Chinook dropping water in the background. The sun was diffused by a smoke-filled sky.

Marty Wolin

1

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10 Tanker DC10 at work on the northern flank of the Park Fire , California. On contract with CalFire the VLAT was slowing down the northern flank as it edges towards the mountain village of Mineral. The Park Fire was the largest arson lit fire in Californian history

Nick Moir

7

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Photo was taken around 8:30 PM, huge storm was rolling in so we tie down the aircraft and took a couple pictures. Snapped about 20 pictures and finally got one with the lightning lighting up the huge storm cell that was coming into the Helena airport.

Chandler Swenson

2

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A Boeing CH-47F Chinook military transport helicopter of the Royal Netherlands Air Force is performing touch and go's in the snow at a low flying area.

Kris Christiaens

9

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An AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) AW139 flown by Honeywell International, arrives in Anaheim, CA to be showcased on the showroom floor of the Anaheim Convention Center during an exclusive helicopter event.

Alex Lipin

2

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PJ Helicopters Helitanker 2CH, a heavily modified Boeing CH-47D Chinook, making it rain on a 344 acre vegetation fire dubbed the "Round Fire" in Moreno Valley, CA.

Alex Lipin

3

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I captured this H125 from the Savoie Hélicoptères company in the Mont-Blanc massif at 12,500 ft with a load of wood for a construction site for the Goûter refuge. I am a helper for the company so I took advantage of having my camera to capture this exceptional moment

Vaillant Théo

9

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Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake Search and Rescue MH-60S Blackhawk practices out in the Southern California desert. A crew member is lifted up along a rock formation as the skilled pilots hover above.

Marty Wolin

5

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HH-139B (15-65 MM82013) Search and Rescue helicopter of Aeronautica Militare / Italian Air Force taking off during a mountain training exercise in the Italian Alps.

Giorgio Gherbassi

2

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Many times when you go to a fire, there is normally only one side you can photograph from for a variety of reason. When you get to the correct location to capture a drop and the light is perfect, the retardant and aircraft are very vivid and clear. In this photograph, AeroFlite’s BAe Avro RJ85, drops Phos-Chek on the Columbia Fire in Riverside, California.

Marty Wolin

1

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A construction crew assigned to a helicopter pole setting operation in the backcountry of San Diego County, CA on March 9, 2024, wait as a High Performance Helicopters HP-60A finishes a fuel stop before returning to its home base in La Verne, CA.

Alex Lipin

4

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Siller Helicopters Helitanker 25M and its pit crew, assist the pilots with a successful startup prior to lifting off while assigned to the raging Line Fire in Highlands, CA.

Alex Lipin

2

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CH-47F Chinook over the Texas dessert with a beautiful sky in the background. I took this while on a training flight during our annual training in June.

Naomi Walsh

4

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PJ Helicopters Boeing CH-47D Chinook operating as Helitanker 2CH assigned to the massive Line Fire in Highlands, CA, a crew chief checks the underbelly of the aircraft during start-up procedures at the Redlands Airport in Redlands, CA.

Alex Lipin

3

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Sikorsky HP-60A Black Hawk helicopter operated by High Performance Helicopters based in La Verne, CA, conducts a pole setting flight operation in a rural part of San Diego County called Harbison Canyon, CA.

Alex Lipin

4

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Alouette 3 of the Austrian Air Force gives a rescue demonstration during the airshow before the farewell of the Alouette 3. 
With this airshow, after 57 years of loyal service, the Alouette 3 was symbolically said goodbye within the Austrian Air Force

Harrie Kraaijeveld

2

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Nice and smooth cruising over local sand/salt haze on H125 during long ferry flight to new mission spot. First leg from UATE to Shalkar. 6000 ft. 2000 km ahead.

Andrey Feofanov

3

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on January 19, 2024 in Châble in Valais (CH) during the annual GRIMM days a helicopter demonstration for the participants as well as the public present and this one with the EC135 HB-ZUC from Air-Glaciers

Bessard Joël

2