X45

How do they get the videos of planes flying above the clouds?

On game shows like the Price is Right, they often give away a trip and show a smooth shot of a plane flying in the air above the clouds. It seems like there is another plane with a camera flying right beside it and at the same speed. Obviously this isn't the case because that would be too dangerous to have planes flying that close together. How do they get this footage?

Public Comments

1. Cameras that have "zoom in zoom out" or a professional pilot.
2. It's done exactly the way you thought. Two planes fly in relatively close formation and the videographer shoots from the lead plane (either through a special optically correct porthole, or with a door removed). There's nothing unsafe about it, provided the pilots are familiar with formation flying and they develop and brief a clear plan before the flight. Formation flying is challenging and fun, but it's not for the untrained.