I was pretty sure we did not have a news helicopter around, but the other day I was driving and came to the big interchange of 9a (295 East) and Butler when I saw a helicopter hovering up top the interchange. At the time I thought it was probably radar.
Then, this past weekend I saw another helicopter hovering over the beach.
Both seemed to be "hovering" rather than traveling.
I guess they could have been PD and mayport, but I was wondering if anyone heard anything?
Unfortunately they were both too far away for me to make out any writing.
None of the stations around here have a regularly used helicopter. WJXT (Ch.4) has used one for special stories, such as the T2 explosions. ABC25 had one before merging with NBC12, and Ch.4 had one before dropping the CBS affiliation. I'm rather disappointed that this market doesn't have one, hell Panama City's WJHG has a helicopter.
I am sure we have missed some important car chases because of our lack of news helicopters.
The police department is always flying around in theirs.
Also medical helicopters fly around a lot.
Why build a streetcar line? We should instead fund a fleet of helicopters for citizens to use. Makes perfect sense!
There used to be news helicopters here in Jax, until the one from Firstcoastnews crashed by I-10 at the 8th street exit, killing those on board...haven't had any since. Don't know why, all major cities have them
Yep. We had news helicopters in the 80's until the one Channel 12 had crashed and killed everyone onboard.
Yet Phoenix had 2 tv station choppers crash, and they still have them. Did it scare people here or something?
I don't know. I guess our local stations don't feel its necessary.
Keep in mind that until the internet, the network news was the big dog on TV. A family tradition in million's of homes to sit by the TV and watch the news. A throwback to the time families would gather around the radio.
TV revenues not unlike news print have taken a dive as we turn to our electronic media sources. They don't have the money to do helicopter today.
OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: Springfielder on May 12, 2009, 07:30:37 AM
There used to be news helicopters here in Jax, until the one from Firstcoastnews crashed by I-10 at the 8th street exit, killing those on board...haven't had any since. Don't know why, all major cities have them
I-10 doesn't cross 8th, it's I-95. I thought that crash was near Stockton and I-10 ??.
If a station needs a copter, why not just rent one. What's the point in having one full time? How many OJ Simpson chases can we watch? ::)
Our local stations can barely get the cameras focused on people. I don't want them anywhere near helicopters.
Quote from: johnsantangelo on May 12, 2009, 04:40:13 PM
Our local stations can barely get the cameras focused on people. I don't want them anywhere near helicopters.
I support this post.
Something called a tripod, good god.
Although some of them do look DAMN good in the field!
Quote from: stjr on May 12, 2009, 03:29:04 PM
Quote from: Springfielder on May 12, 2009, 07:30:37 AM
There used to be news helicopters here in Jax, until the one from Firstcoastnews crashed by I-10 at the 8th street exit, killing those on board...haven't had any since. Don't know why, all major cities have them
I-10 doesn't cross 8th, it's I-95. I thought that crash was near Stockton and I-10 ??.
If a station needs a copter, why not just rent one. What's the point in having one full time? How many OJ Simpson chases can we watch? ::)
Clearly it was meant as I-95 at 8th....but it was some time ago and my recall of where it actually happened isn't really important....I just remember it being by the highway and that's the last time there were news copters in Jax
I thought it was a lifeflight chopper that went down near 8th but no one was injured. ABC25's chopper did crash and kill everyone though but I don't know where.
Personally, I think since we've been graced with ACTION NEWS!, we need an ACTION NEWS! Chopper. Or a tank or a jet or something. My news isn't nearly action-y enough if they only use traditional vehicles.
Been trying to find the information about it....anyone remember the year?
I think it was around 2000-2001? There used to be a mention of it on wikipedia but I can't seem to find it now. I think it was called Newschopper 25 and was one of those dinky looking R-44s (They may or may not be good vehicles, I don't know but that huge rotor mast thing makes it look flimsier than a Bell or MD).
The news chopper crash was significantly earlier than 2000, more like back in the 1980s. I thought it was TV12 (WTLV), long before they merged with TV25. It was near I-10 and Stockton during a live traffic report - the picture started rotating, then went to static, then back to the anchors in the station.
Really? I always thought it was back when WJXX was their own weird little station. I know they did have a chopper, maybe they just got rid of it but I thought it was the one that crashed.
In response to inquiring posts above, I just found this article from the L.A. Times recapping the 1986 WTLV 12 traffic helicopter crash. It doesn't give the exact location but I am almost certain it was around I-10 and Stockton Street.QuoteTraffic Helicopter Crash Kills 2, Injures 1
June 17, 1986
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. â€" A traffic helicopter spiraled out of control and crashed during a broadcast Monday, killing two of three people aboard seconds after viewers saw live, spinning pictures from the whirling aircraft.
The accident, which killed a reporter and the pilot and seriously injured a cameraman, occurred just two weeks after WTLV-TV began live traffic reports.
The reporter who was killed, Julie Ann Silvers, 26, had finished her report when she seemed to gasp, said producer Mary Johnson, who said Silvers then uttered her last words: "Uh, we'll check on that condition."
Pilot William Buddy Smith, 34, died in the crash, and cameraman Brett C. Snyder, 22, was in serious condition at a hospital, Green said.
See: http://articles.latimes.com/1986-06-17/news/mn-11596_1
I think you are correct - near what was then the Voyager (or Carolina - it changed names) Insurance building, now the DOT is in the building. I was watching that broadcast - very creepy.
Just as an additional note, the mosquito control used to operate a bunch of old bell 47s' to spray during the 60's and 70's the remains of the heliport are still up on the northside
Well there was a Bell Longranger that did go down beside the I95 in someones back yard! That was around Kings Avenue get off on the east side. I guess about 3 to 5 years ago or less. I think it was a Baptist Lifeflite bird. Since then they have gone to a MBB 107 or something similar.
Quote from: stjr on October 11, 2009, 01:19:21 AM
QuoteTraffic Helicopter Crash Kills 2, Injures 1
June 17, 1986
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. â€" A traffic helicopter spiraled out of control and crashed during a broadcast Monday, killing two of three people aboard seconds after viewers saw live, spinning pictures from the whirling aircraft.
The accident, which killed a reporter and the pilot and seriously injured a cameraman, occurred just two weeks after WTLV-TV began live traffic reports.
The reporter who was killed, Julie Ann Silvers, 26, had finished her report when she seemed to gasp, said producer Mary Johnson, who said Silvers then uttered her last words: "Uh, we'll check on that condition."
Pilot William Buddy Smith, 34, died in the crash, and cameraman Brett C. Snyder, 22, was in serious condition at a hospital, Green said.
See: http://articles.latimes.com/1986-06-17/news/mn-11596_1
I really didn't wanna resurrect this ancient topic in particular, but with the recent Seattle chopper crash, the TU put together a slideshow concerning the tragic Channel 12 helicopter crash back in '86. IMO with aerial drone technologies nowadays, it's makes no sense putting peoples lives in jeopardy covering stories; I'll leave it at that.
www.jacksonville.com/slideshow/2014-03-18/look-back-channel-12-traffic-copter-crashes-killing-2#slide-1
"Sky Action News Jax" has launched for action news. I must admit im watching their news broadcast more and more.
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2016-05-02/story/jacksonvilles-action-news-adds-helicopter-plethora-news-covering-tactics
They have traffic cameras on multiple locations. They have "tower" mounted cameras on their news trucks. They have $1,500 drones that do the job much cheaper than a helicopter, pilot , and aerial news reporter.
Anyone know what the aircraft is and where it's based?
I'm not sure, no mention of the type of helicopter on their website.
Action News' helicopter is N601TV, a Robinson R44. Looks to be based at Craig field.
(http://mediaweb.actionnewsjax.com/photo/2016/06/29/Sky_Action_News_Jax_pilot_talks_about_Ja_0_5141899_ver1.0_640_360.jpg)
Quote from: Springfielder on May 12, 2009, 07:43:20 PM
Been trying to find the information about it....anyone remember the year?
Looks like it was 1986. Here's a news clip and the video of it:
https://www.youtube.com/v/Rg04c2gWft0
Breaking News:
A new weapon in the sky: City may buy $800,000 used helicopter for mosquito fight
http://jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=548234
Cool, maybe we can use Mrs Scotts company:
QuoteFlorida Gov. Rick Scott has an undisclosed financial interest in a Zika mosquito control company in which his wife, Florida First Lady Ann Scott, owns a multi-million dollar stake through a private investment firm she co-owns.
http://www.floridabulldog.org/2016/08/gov-scotts-undisclosed-interest-in-zika-mosquito-control-company/