The old way of taking aerial photographs
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (361340)
Rockingham, Australia
August 21, 2025 3:47am CST
When we lived in Esperance, Vince worked at the port authority. They wanted to build a small boat harbour meaning a harbour for small boats away from the main harbour. They needed aerial photos of the proposed site. Nowadays they’d just put a drone up I guess.
It was important that the photos were not distorted in any way so had to be taken from a vertical perspective. It was arranged that the door would be taken off a small plane and Vince would hang head and shoulders out the door to take the necessary photographs.
The only think holding him safe was a seat-belt through his trouser belt. Just before they took off Vince asked the pilot if there would be any drag. The pilot answered that he didn’t know. He’d never flown with the door off before. Anyway they got the job done and Vince didn’t all out so all was well.
The photo was taken in Esperance.
8 people like this
11 responses
@DaddyEvil (157367)
• United States
10h
That could NOT have been a comfortable experience for Vince...
Pretty and I went up in a helicopter after the pilot took the door off on my side... The pilot thought it was funny to keep tilting the helicopter over so I was hanging by the seatbelt... I'm scared of heights (I do okay as long as I'm fully enclosed) but with that door gone... 
I KNOW he was keeping Pretty entertained by scaring me but still... He didn't get a tip and I refused to talk to him when he finally set us down on the ground.
I KNOW he was keeping Pretty entertained by scaring me but still... He didn't get a tip and I refused to talk to him when he finally set us down on the ground.5 people like this
@DaddyEvil (157367)
• United States
7h
@Fleura I'm positive he was trying to keep Pretty happy but forgot he needed to keep the adult in his helicopter happy, too. I hope he learned that after seeing my reactions to his antics.
Pretty and I have looked for him on our frequent trips through Branson, Missouri, and have never found him. I hope he's doing okay somewhere else.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (361340)
• Rockingham, Australia
6h
I think that is abominable behaviour - quite cruel in fact. A helicopter pilot offered to take the boys for a ride but I had to go with them, which was okay really but I mightn't have bothered otherwise. I was okay until the helicopter was hovering and I just couldn't see how it could stay in the air if it was 'standing still' so to speak.
1 person likes this
The boys were probably about 3 and 5. 
Poor Vince, I also do not like heights, I would have been sick.
@rina110383 (24641)
•
10h
Wow, that sounds both exciting and terrifying at the same time! I can’t imagine leaning out of a plane door with just a belt keeping you safe. Vince must have had some real courage to do that. Nowadays with drones, it feels so much simpler, but back then it really took guts and trust in the pilot.
I bet those photos turned out amazing though—it must have been quite an experience to capture them that way. It’s stories like this that make you realize how much technology has changed things!
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (198386)
• United States
8h
Whew! That would be pretty scary. I don't like heights.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (361340)
• Rockingham, Australia
6h
Vince is scared of heights too in a way but I guess the photography distracted him.
@changjiangzhibin89 (17008)
• China
5h
Your heart must have been in your mouth when Vince did that.If only it could be done by hanging on wires !
@FourWalls (78035)
• United States
2h
I hope Vince appreciates the drones. Wowza, that’s a hard way to take photos!
@JudyEv (361340)
• Rockingham, Australia
6h
You're quite right. All the rules and regulations have taken a lot of the fun out of such antics.
