2026 Photography Competition, Heliops, Antares, AirAttack

Photo Contest Entries

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NH90 dutch air force in rotterdam

Florian Scholz

14

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A Carabinieri (military police) UH-149D helicopter during the "golden hour" along the Livorno coast, monitoring road and marine traffic amidst the area's distinctive rocky coastline.

Salvatore Roccella

2133

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Early morning sunrise over a hardworking Bell 212. The work never stops with one of these hard to replace helicopters. Northern Canada.

Colin Hewitt

19

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Arrived to the base early to do some pre work and watched this early morning sunrise. Bell 212 Patiently waiting for the next mission. Northern Canada.

Colin Hewitt

17

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Astar landing to clear airspace for air attack. Helicopter was used as a reconnaissance machine to assess fire behaviour before tankers arrived. Northern Canada.

Colin Hewitt

11

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Astar waiting for approval from air attack officer. CL-415 dropping water ahead of dozers as they push guard around out of control fire. Northern Canada.

Colin Hewitt

11

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Assessing out of control wildfire. Black columns of smoke indicating increasing wildfire behaviour. Views from an Astar in northern Manitoba, Canada.

Colin Hewitt

11

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A South African Air Force Denel AH-2 Rooivalk sits in the late-afternoon light at AFB Waterkloof following its final flying display at Africa Aerospace and Defence 2026. With the canopy still open and the aircraft illuminated by the setting sun, the image captures a quiet moment immediately after the noise and intensity of the display.

Timothy Homan

12

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Hoist excercise on Gotland with the Swedish SAR helikopter, AW139

Andreas Abramsson

12

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Swedish maritime administration SAR AW139 outside the hangar at the Stockholm base for Baltic sea.

Andreas Abramsson

18

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Hoist operator preparing for hoisting of rescueswimmer in the Baltic sea. A standard exercise that we do every day with many different scenarios, moving ship, life raft, cliffs, PIW etc…

Andreas Abramsson

14

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Taken during hoist exercise on the island Gotland.

Andreas Abramsson

13

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North Idaho

Derek Butler

20

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Rotak, North Idaho

Derek Butler

17

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Between the storm and the fire, Rotak

Derek Butler

18

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Rotak North Idaho

Derek Butler

17

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Assessing out of control fire near a large city. Coming around the south east side of the fire we saw this flank go into intensity class 6 and go for a good run, 150-200ft flames. Northern Manitoba, Canada.

Colin Hewitt

27

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A South African  Airforce Rooivalk military attack helicopter of 16 Squadron flying through the air, silhouetted against a dramatic, cloudy sky. The combination  of the dark aircraft, glowing clouds and blurred rotor blades captures the power and atmosphere of the Rooivalk in flight during the Africa Aerospace and Defence 2026 exhibtion at AFB Waterkloof, South Africa.

Susan Nel

33

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A South African Air Force A109 of 17 Squadron and Denel Rooivalk of 16 Squadron emerge through the dust during the Mini War demonstration at Africa Aerospace and Defence 2026, AFB Waterkloof, South Africa.

André Nel

27

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Henley Air Bell 222UT ZT-RFA during the flying display at Africa Aerospace and Defence 2026 at AFB Waterkloof, South Africa. A crew member works from the open cabin door as the helicopter performs its demonstration.

André Nel

27

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Dutch Coastguard demo at the Wereldhavendagen in Rotterdam
The helicopter is hoovering in front of the famous Erasmusbrug and the coastguard employee is waving at the public

Dave Dasselaar

26

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Kestrel Helicopters based out of Parksville, BC  Bell 204B refueling at Helijet to continue fighting the Jack Mountain wildfire outside of Victoria, BC

Dave Nicholson

26

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Kestrel Helicopters Based out of Parksville,BC. Bell 204B refueling at Helijet Victoria to continue fighting the Jack Mountain wildfire outside of Victoria, BC Canada.

Dave Nicholson

24

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A Carabinieri UH-169C returning from a surveillance mission in the Italian Alps. This specific aircraft is the only one that still bears the unit's 60th-anniversary logo on its tail boom.

Salvatore Roccella

69

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An Italian Army A129D Mangusta during a simulated escort mission for vehicles and troops patrolling a restricted area; thanks to its turret, it can see for several kilometers, ensuring excellent security for personnel on the ground.

Salvatore Roccella

30

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The crew of this Colombian Air Force "Angel" helicopter is conducting an operation that requires coordination between flight, external load handling, and highly precise unloading.

Juan Sebastián Correa Ocampo

37

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The Colombian Air Force’s "Ángel" helicopter carries out arduous work amidst mountains and tall trees, supporting firefighting operations in the city of Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia.

Juan Sebastián Correa Ocampo

43

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The Colombian Air Force´s ´Angel´ helicopter carrying out arduous work amidst mountains and tall trees supporting firefighting efforts in the city of Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia.

Juan Sebastián Correa Ocampo

45

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This is a real rescue at the Panorama Fire off of the mountain Highway 243 above Banning , California which was caused by a young woman going over the side in her vehicle and it catching on fire. This is a story of a true hero. People on the road above heard the young women screaming for help and a man climbed down the steep embankment about 200 feet down.The fire was burning all around them and he only had seconds to get her to a safe place. She was going in and out of consciousness and so he decided to cary her on his back. He couldn't climb back up the steep embankment, so he hiked down the hill away from the flames. As you can see from this picture, she was airlifted out and taken to a hospital. She sustained multiple injuries, some requiring surgery.

Marty Wolin

39

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Orange County Fire Authority's Firehawk drops on the Gibby Fire off of Ortega Highway. The fire was in a deep canyon and the backlight really added to the highlighting the falling water.

Marty Wolin

43

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During the summer months, Air Zermatt carries out supply flights to remote mountain huts across the Swiss Alps, transporting food, equipment and other essential supplies to places that are difficult to reach by road.

Michael Portmann

43

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Air-to-air over the Swiss Alps during an internal video production in spring. Working closely with the pilots, we positioned both helicopters to capture the aircraft in its natural alpine environment, with the Matterhorn in the background.

Michael Portmann

47

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Air Zermatt booked me to document real rescue missions in the mountains. During this operation near the Monte Rosa Hut, the patient was not seriously injured but had to be evacuated by winch from steep, rocky terrain. My job was to stay close to the rescue team and capture the operation as it happened.

Michael Portmann

49

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Building  powerlines on 9/11

Jessy Schoonover

38

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Italian Air Force HH-139B (15th SAR Wing, callsign GRANNY01) during a sea rescue exercise involving an air rescuer; event held during the Jesolo Air Show, Venice.

Salvatore Roccella

41

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A Carabinieri RH119A helicopter during a mountain rescue exercise in South Tyrol, set against the backdrop of the Dolomites—a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Salvatore Roccella

140

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Eastland Heli Services HTZ sitting on top of the world during a radio repeater equipment servicing trip. Raukumara Ranges, East Coast, New Zealand. Early 2026

Tim Colvin

38

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Apache at Swansea
Amazing display but very short fly pass due to the wind at Swansea Airshow. Incredible helicopter. First time seeing it.

Shane Iles wright

131

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H145 Hoist Operator performing a cable check on a 50m hoist. He checks the full length of the cable with a weight applied, applying a consistent tension on the cable to ensure longevity and safety of the equipment.

Alex Dunn

52

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Hoist practice with an Avincis Aviation livery H145. Between precision hoist missions to many of Denmark's wind turbines, these hoist operators train to operate under pressure to ensure safe, efficient hoists.

Alex Dunn

46

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Sea Lynx Hanse Sail 2026

Norbert Bechholz

58

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Midwest Helicopter Airways’ Sikorsky S-58T maneuvers between the skyscrapers of downtown Chicago during an aerial lift operation. Captured from a nearby rooftop, the photo offers a unique perspective of the aircraft working within the city skyline, where tight spaces and limited ground access make helicopter lifting an ideal solution. Precision flying, careful coordination, and an incredible view come together high above the streets of Chicago.

Brooke Jones

54

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Midwest Helicopter Airways’ Sikorsky S-58T hovers overhead during an aerial lift operation, captured from directly beneath the aircraft. The longline stretches from the helicopter toward the staging area below as the pilot prepares for the next lift. This unique perspective showcases the size of the S-58T, the precision required to maneuver from above, and the specialized equipment that makes moving heavy loads quickly and efficiently possible.

Brooke Jones

50

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Midwest Helicopter Airways takes heavy lifting to new heights as the Sikorsky S-58T carries a large rooftop unit through the downtown Chicago skyline. Suspended beneath the helicopter on a longline, the unit is maneuvered above the surrounding buildings for precise placement on the rooftop. This photo captures the unique capability of aerial crane operations—moving large equipment efficiently in tight urban spaces where access from the ground can be a challenge.

Brooke Jones

52

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Midwest Helicopter Airways Sikorsky S-61N delivers a rooftop unit by longline as the crew below prepares to guide it into position. With the helicopter high overhead and the load suspended beneath, this view captures the scale and precision of aerial crane work. From pilot to signalman to rooftop crew, every lift depends on communication, coordination, and timing to safely place heavy equipment exactly where it needs to go.

Brooke Jones

45

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A Midwest Helicopter Airways Sikorsky S-58T hovers just feet above a rooftop as a crew member connects the aircraft’s external-load rigging for the next lift. Captured from the rooftop, the photo shows just how close the teamwork gets during aerial crane operations. With the aircraft holding steady overhead, the ground crew and pilot work together to safely and efficiently keep the job moving—one lift at a time.

Brooke Jones

51

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A Midwest Helicopter Airways Sikorsky S-58T works among the skyscrapers of downtown Chicago, setting rooftop equipment where traditional cranes can’t easily reach. Captured by the signalman from the rooftop, this close-up catches the pilot at work as the helicopter descends to pick up the next unit. The image offers a unique perspective of the precision, communication, and teamwork required between the pilot and ground crew during aerial lift operations in the heart of the city.

Brooke Jones

48

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Instruments check

Nelson Tower

53

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Formation through the mountains

Nelson Tower

51

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HH/60 taking the scenic route

Nelson Tower

49

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An Aérospatiale 332 Super Puma helicopter bringing a new segment for a high-voltage transmission tower in the Belgian Ardennes.

Kris Christiaens

91

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The pilot of a Aérospatiale 332 Super Puma focusses on the work on some high-voltage transmission towers in the Belgian Ardennes.

Kris Christiaens

67

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Airbus H145 in Avincis Aviation livery conducts a hoist onto a Vattenfall wind turbine in the North Sea. Operated by Avincis Aviation Denmark, these crews conduct hoist missions to deliver technicians and cargo to wind farms operated along Denmark's vast coastlines.

Alex Dunn

67

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Technicians hoisted to a wind turbine for maintenance in the North Sea

Alex Dunn

72

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Vigili Del Fuoco AW139 prepping a water scoop in the Italian alps

Oscar Cousins

64

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Here you see a Royal Netherlands Air Force CH-47F Chinook helicopter in action during a BHT exercise. The troops performed a 'hover jump.' It was amazing to see this action in real life; it felt just like watching a movie. I really enjoyed being able to capture it.

Floris Koenders

54

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Here you see a RNLASF AH64E Apache at the FARP. After refueling he was testing his systems before the night mission begins. It was amazing to witness this right in front of the Apache. You get to see the entire start-up process for the evening mission.

Floris Koenders

70

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I captured this Savoie Hélicoptères H125 during an air-to-air flight in the Mont Blanc massif. You can see the magnificent paint scheme with the "Dent du Géant" in the background.

Théo Vaillant

74

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I captured this Savoie Hélicoptères H125 during the eclipse on August 12, 2026. We set out with two helicopters to drop skydivers; we were at an altitude of around 15,000 feet.

Théo Vaillant

55

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Super Puma HB-XVY d'Heliswiss International lors du montage d'un télé vers Siviez en Valais (CH) le mardi 11 août 2026. photo prise avec un Nikon Z8 adaptateur et 70-200mm f2.8

Bessard Joël

50