About Us
Founded in 1993, HFS are a world leading specialist in Aerial Filming & Film Aviation Services.
The company has grown to include Helicopters, Jets, Drones and Stabilised camera systems for work in Feature Film, Broadcast TV, Commercials, Drama and Branded Content production.
We also offer bespoke helicopter and Jet Charter brokerage to the private and public sectors.
Did you know?
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World renowned director, Steven Spielberg, had never used a drone on set before working with our team here at HFS. So we’re responsible for ‘taking his drone cherry’ which took place on location for Ready Player One in London, Birmingham and Leavesden Studios, where we used our heavy lift drone with the Alexa Mini camera to film through and around the ‘stacks’ where the lead character Wade lives.
Find out what Mr Spielberg and others have to say about HFS here.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What do Helicopter Film Services do?
We work globally on productions and projects requiring aerial filming services - whether it be by helicopter or drone, or a combination of both. Our extensive inventory of equipment allows us to provide the best material for each and every job. We pride ourselves on offering invaluable AND, importantly, impartial advice on the best way to meet your needs. For instance, we were approached about drone filming for a major movie franchise production, but after analysing the shot list, location and season, we advised Production that using a helicopter would be more cost effective as it enables faster work between locations and greater immunity from the weather, as well as the ability to transport cast and crew to the next location if required. The Producers and Director were delighted with the outcome of this advice. Of course, the reverse has been advised on a number of occasions too, where a helicopter just can’t go!
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We also offer prop aircraft for studio and gimbal work, as well as business helicopter hire and private charter in the UK - in London and elsewhere.
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What have you worked on recently?
We have worked on a wide range of productions, our recent projects including How to Train Your Dragon, House of the Dragon, Slow Horses, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Story, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, Jurassic World: Dominion, The Peripheral, Willow and Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. We pride ourselves on maintaining positive and long-lasting relationships with studios and directors. Examples of our work can be found in our various showreels, created over the past thirty years.
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We are proud to have worked on a number of broadcast and corporate projects, from hanging a Jaguar under a helicopter, working with the Red Arrows to Elton John Live at Wembley.
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Where are you based?
Our team is based at our hangar facilities in North-West London, but is often found flying high on location for productions around the world - from sunny Sardinia to the Norwegian fjords, Svalbard icescapes, Iceland volcano, African deserts or Hawaiian mountains, a truly global operation.
