This photo is a tribute to the incredible skill of the Air Canada and Wolfe Air pilots and creative teams. Image: Brian Losito
APEX Insight: APEX Media was on board an Air Canada Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, playing follow the “lear-der” as the aircraft flew with a Wolfe Air Learjet 25 camera jet for the airline’s most recent air-to-air photo shoot.
APEX Media’s resident AvGeek, Howard Slutsken, joined the teams from Air Canada and Wolfe Air Aviation for two air-to-air photo flights on Canada’s West Coast. Launching from Vancouver International Airport, the Wolfe Air Learjet 25 camera jet and a brand-new Air Canada 787-9 Dreamliner flew in close formation for over two hours on each flight. The video and still photos are being used to update Air Canada’s sales, marketing and in-house media with visuals of the airline’s new livery, which was unveiled in February last year.
Read Howard’s story about air-to-air photography, Air Canada and Wolfe Air in the September/October 2015 issue of APEX Experience magazine.
Wolfe Air’s Learjet 25 camera jet and Air Canada’s brand-new 787-9, on the ramp at YVR before the first air-to-air photo flight. Image: Howard Slutsken
The air-to-air shoot was organized to update all of Air Canada’s media for marketing and in-house use. The new and old liveries are on these two Dreamliners. Image: Howard Slutsken
Wolfe Air’s 1970’s vintage Learjet 25 might be older than its pilots, but it’s the perfect camera plane – and it handles like a fighter jet. Image: Howard Slutsken
The still camera pod under the Learjet’s wing was remotely controlled from inside the cabin by Air Canada’s corporate photographer, Brian Losito. He shot over 2,600 photos during the two flights. Image: Howard Slutsken
The custom-built video equipment fills the Learjet cabin, and uses a multi-prism periscope that sticks out below the plane’s belly. Image: Howard Slutsken
Not something you usually see out your window! Wolfe Air’s Learjet 25 gets shots of Air Canada’s 787-9. Look closely, and you can see the video periscope on the Learjet’s belly, a bit forward of the tip tanks. Image: Howard Slutsken
Air Canada Captain Dave Butler keeps an eye on the Wolfe Air Learjet 25 camera jet. Image: Howard Slutsken
Air Canada Captain Dave Butler handled communications, while Captain Mark Watt displayed his formation flying skills in the brand-new Dreamliner, during the photo flights. Image: Howard Slutsken
The Air Canada and Wolfe Air teams pose for a post-flight portrait. Image: Howard Slutsken
No, this isn’t Photoshopped! Wolfe Air’s Captain Kevin LaRosa II deftly positioned the Learjet camera jet to take advantage of the lighting and background, beautifully showing off the Air Canada Dreamliner. Image: Brian Losito
