Helicopter Pilot dialogue in films

[Csmallfield]

Hello all,

 

My name is Chris and I am a filmmaker and writer. I am currently writing and researching a script for a short film. It is a near future science fiction film with a helicopter battle with ground troops and other aircraft in an urban environment.

 

I quickly realized as I wrote this sequence that I have no idea how helicopter pilots would communicate with each other during a battle nor what terms they might use.

 

This is something that bothers me in films, when people get something so wrong when it could have been solved by doing some research.

 

My questions are as follows...

 

What movies do you feel got the dialogue correct? What movies portray helicopter battles accurately? Are there any good resources for proper "etiquette" and terms used by Helicopter pilots?

 

Any help would greatly be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Chris

[UH60MCE]

Black Hawk Down is probably the best example of modern crew coordination/communication I've seen in a film.

[brackac]

I would suggest hiring a helicopter pilot as a consultant.

 

 

 

 

 

On a side note, my schedule is relatively free for the next 12 months.

[dovq2011]

I would suggest hiring a helicopter pilot as a consultant.

 

 

 

 

 

On a side note, my schedule is relatively free for the next 12 months.

This guy... you're going places.

[Turner]

The FAA publishes a reference book every year called the FAR/AIM. In the back is a section called the "Pilot/ Controller Glossary" It has a lot of acronyms, but the terms in bold are pretty common. You can find it on-line, I attached the PDF. Since it is published every year, old hard copies are pretty easy to come by. Try asking a local flight school if they have any old ones you can have. If your really desperate, I've got a few laying around I can send you!

pcg.pdf

[Csmallfield]

Black Hawk Down is probably the best example of modern crew coordination/communication I've seen in a film.

Good to know that the movie was pretty accurate, it's a great film.

 

I see you are based in Savannah, I went to SCAD and used to cycle around Hunter with a couple of rangers based there. That was back around 2003-2004. Do they still let civilians do that?

[Csmallfield]

I would suggest hiring a helicopter pilot as a consultant.

 

On a side note, my schedule is relatively free for the next 12 months.

You are totally right actually. Currently though the script writing process is self-funded by my day job. When I've got a better draft down the line, then I might hit you up.

[Csmallfield]

The FAA publishes a reference book every year called the FAR/AIM. In the back is a section called the "Pilot/ Controller Glossary" It has a lot of acronyms, but the terms in bold are pretty common. You can find it on-line, I attached the PDF. Since it is published every year, old hard copies are pretty easy to come by. Try asking a local flight school if they have any old ones you can have. If your really desperate, I've got a few laying around I can send you!

That PDF is great! Really helpful, thank you. I'll just have to be careful not to include too many cool acronyms so the general audience can follow

 

Cheers!

[brackac]

The FAA publishes a reference book every year called the FAR/AIM. In the back is a section called the "Pilot/ Controller Glossary" It has a lot of acronyms, but the terms in bold are pretty common. You can find it on-line, I attached the PDF. Since it is published every year, old hard copies are pretty easy to come by. Try asking a local flight school if they have any old ones you can have. If your really desperate, I've got a few laying around I can send you!

 

 

You will never find the terminology and phrasing between a military helicopter pilot and ground force in a FAA produced product.

[brackac]

Search youtube for "Apache Afghanistan".

[apacheguy]

Check out the Transformer films, they worked with the military directly during filming, in fact the Blackhawks at the end of the first Transformer film were from the AVCO at Fort Irwin and some of the AVCO troops are in the movie.

[Ritter]

Firebirds is your best bet.

[Csmallfield]

@brackac - that is really helpful to hear the real conversations. That footage is also unreal.

 

@apacheguy - I'll have to rewatch the Transformer films again with that mindset, that's cool that they involved a lot of the real people.

 

@Ritter - thanks! I will check it out!

[napoleonpp]

Don't listen to Ritter lol. I've never seen the movie, only the preview, but I'm sure I would not reference it lol

 

Now maybe watch it for a date in

[FlyingBuma]

Hello all,

 

My name is Chris and I am a filmmaker and writer. I am currently writing and researching a script for a short film. It is a near future science fiction film with a helicopter battle with ground troops and other aircraft in an urban environment.

 

I quickly realized as I wrote this sequence that I have no idea how helicopter pilots would communicate with each other during a battle nor what terms they might use.

 

This is something that bothers me in films, when people get something so wrong when it could have been solved by doing some research.

 

My questions are as follows...

 

What movies do you feel got the dialogue correct? What movies portray helicopter battles accurately? Are there any good resources for proper "etiquette" and terms used by Helicopter pilots?

 

Any help would greatly be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Chris

 

On a related note, if this ever goes to production, make sure you use accurate helicopter sound FX. Nothing is more annoying than almost every movie helicopter sounding like a Huey.

 

Mike