MOTORSPORT Safari Rally aerial camera helicopter pilot reveals secrets to his dare devilish mission that left fans in awe

The experienced pilot showed remarkable technique, getting as low as the cars, while capturing wildlife during the thrilling WRC event in Naivasha.

The 2023 Safari Rally was yet another big success as the Kenyan leg lived up to its billing as the most thrilling and toughest on the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar.

However, its success would not have been complete without a number of heroes off the course who made sure viewers across the world got to witness everything that Kenya has to offer.

One such hero is Anders Payne, the Tropic Air helicopter pilot who flew the WRC aerial cameraman during the Safari Rally.

With 15 years of experience in conservation flying, where he has been tracking wildlife in Kenya, East and Central Africa, it was the first time he was covering the Safari Rally, which meant following the lightning-quick cars as opposed to the slow-moving animals.

However, he did it like a pro to the surprise of many observers. So, what was the technique employed in following around the Safari Rally cars and getting the best aerial shots?

“Knowing the course well is important because you know where the guys are going fast, where they will be slowing down, where they are turning, so you need to adjust the flying accordingly because the cameraman has to be able to follow the car,” Payne told the Motorsport 411 podcast hosted by Sean Cardovillis.

“You are using the helicopter as the tool to get the camera in the right place to enable the operator to get the shots.”

Payne also explained how he managed to ensure there was synchronization between him and the cameraman for the best aerial shots of the global event.

“He’s also aware of the course so we’re talking to each other saying head and bend coming up left or long straight section,” he added.

“Anything which he’s going to need to change the angle of the camera and typically you move the helicopter in the same direction so you may choose to go the outside or inside of the corner so just verbalizing your intentions to him so he can stay on the car and focus.”

During the rally, Payne left fans in awe at just how low he flew his helicopter, almost hugging the cars, but he says his experience plus the need to get a variety of shots necessitated the dare-devilish actions.

“It’s a combination, sometimes you are high up and slower and getting more of panoramic things so people can appreciate the kind of landscape cars are driving through and other times when the terrain allows, you can get really low to the cars so you are almost on the same level,” he explained.

“So, it’s a mix of things so the kind of shots you can put out are different. It does look daredevil but it’s things we’ve done in the past so you’re not doing something which you’re not comfortable with.

“To be able to get some wildlife in the shots with the cars. Heading through a heard of buffalos, zebras or giraffes on a couple of occasions, showing what Kenya has to offer in the Safari Rally was special to me.”