FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions for us, please read this section first. Incase you cannot find an answer here, please feel free to email us. Not only will we give you an answer, but we will also update this FAQ page!

For additional questions, please email us at info@aviation-photocrew.com

No, you absolutely cannot! According to CAA rules, we are not allowed to carry paying passengers onboard our photoships. Active members do not pay for flying, but it is mandatory for all participants to attend the theory classes, especially all the lectures on photoflight safety procedures.

No, absolutely not! The Air-to-Air Academy does NOT organise any type of airrides, funflights or passengerflights. We do not carry paying passengers onboard our photoships, only active members ( who have to be photographers ) can take part in the flying classes. They do not pay for flying.

The total time of the flight will depend on many factors as weather situation, number of aircraft participating, slottiming etc.

We aim to provide each photographer at least 1 hour of valuable photoflying.

On average for the 2013 edtion, we had 9 aircraft posing for photos on each flight. We aim to have at least the same number this year, tough this depends again on a lot of external factors like slottiming, fuelreserve, etc. If we have more special aircraft in a photoflight we'll try to provide extra time for those of course!

Based on a number of external factors, we will only know at the day itself which aircraft is going to fly on which photoflight.

Well... that's just bad luck for you! The main aim of the Air-to-Air Academy is to provide aviation photographers a chance to experience a great photoflight, an opportunity to learn and get a good inside view in techniques and preparations, regardless op the type of aircraft posing for you. If you catch the virus and you want more, you can always apply to attend additional classes or register on a ( waiting-list ) to be considered for other Aviation PhotoCrew photoflight projects were we know in advance what's on the program. If you are really after a certain aircraft, you might be dissapointed, if you come with an open mind you'll go home for sure very satisfied!

At this stage only second year students and guestphotographers have the options for additional flying classes. It will also depend on photoship availability and our total flying time if we can offer extra chances.

The answer is, yes we’ll try!! As there is always a lot of demand for additional flying opportunities outside the basic package we try to organise photoflights in a number of other photoships. However it turned out to be not that easy in previous Academy editions and only from 2013 onwards we’ll have a team of flightplanners especially for all that backseat/frontseat/sideseat/formations requests. We expect to have an enormous range of new chances this way.

Unfortunately not, as warbirds are the biggest cost of the entire event! Altough we can offer active Academy photographers a photoplatform like the Skyvan at no cost, they have to bring the budget together to have those iconic aircraft as Spitfire, P-51 Mustang, Corsair, Avengers etc flying in photomissions. The warbird photoflights are open to all registered Academy photographers, but as the demand is very high it’s on a ‘first come, first served’ set up.

No, unfortunately not. Our costs for publications, lectures, catering etc will not drop because we have students. The active membership is very much needed to keep an organisation like this alive and running, the annual fees will be the same for all participants.

No, unfortunately not. Our costs for publications, lectures, catering etc will not drop because we have second year guests. The active membership is very much needed to keep an organisation like this alive and running, the annual fees will be the same for all participants.

No, it's actually based on your length; the cabinplan for each flight is prepared by the safety crewmember. It will also gurantee that all photographers will have a clear view outside.

No, based on a lot of feedback and suggestions from our first Academy, the big Skyvan photoship is reconfigured so that all photographers onboard will have a continuous view outside. All you have to do is to stay firm on your allocated position!

Well.....you'll be surprised! ALL photographers onboard the Skyvan have advantages and disadvantages, depending on their position. All have the same tunnelview, even if you sit on the edge. The difference between frontseat and last seat is anyway only 1,8 meter, the further you go the higher your position will be. According to the photographers who flew with us on many of the fast jet missions the last row is absolutely okay and more relaxing. Infact , some of the very best pictures on many photoflights were taken from the back positions!

No, most of our guests never get sick, they'll just have an awesome ride. If you feel happy riding a bus on the ground, a photoflight in the Skyvan is not a big difference. Of course there can be turbulence like on a commercial flight, but it will not bother you too much.

In the lectures on photoflying safety, one of the topics will cover sickness onboard; how to prevent it and what to do incase you are unlucky. We can also provide our guests with some of the best motion sickness medication in the world – free –.

Yes and no. We try to accomodate all photographers as best as we can, but we clearly stated well in advance that you have to see the Air-to-Air Academy as a fantastic 4-day holiday in Belgium, on an airfield full of interesting aircraft, helicopters and a lot of fellow photographers.

We try to give priority in day of choice to the photographers visiting us from really far away ( outside Europe ) ,as they make their travel plans well in advance. We ask Dutch and Belgian photographers to be more flexible, as the airfield is within easy reach by car for them. Don't forget that on each day there will be also a lot of action on the ground, and you will have special facilities to capture that action!

It's in reality véry hard to commit to a certain timeframe. We could plan a sunsetflight months in advance... only to see that it's raining that day! Flighttime planning fully depends on the meteo of the day. That's why we will be far more flexible this year, and yes if the weather is fine we can fly from sunrise till sunset. We'll also have the guarantee this year to postpone the early flights to one of the following days should the weather become too bad; of course within realistic margins.

If you do know the day of your flight, we will give you a choice ( based on the date of your registration ) as there will be several photoflights each day.

Loool, no not at all! It's one of the more hilarious rumours surrounding the first edition. All photographers can do whatever they want to with their pictures. Infact, we encourage posting on forums and publication in magazines or books.

Keep a healthy ambition and take it step by step. Don't forget that some crewmembers have been active in air-to-air photography for 25 years... others only three years! First of all practice your skills, that's what the Air-to-Air Academy is all about. It would be a shame to ruin an incredible and rare opportunity if you don't know how to get the maximum out of your camera. Equally important is the right attitude, being a good teamplayer and able to work in a very disciplinary way. The Aviation PhotoCrew is wellknown all over the world for being one of the very few crews that do share opportunities. If chances arise, we send the information out to the interested photographers.