Aerial photographers slowly return to sky

Even with the all clear from the nation's control towers, aerial photographers and their pilots, whose activities are tightly tied to real estate development, just aren't flying as much as they did before the events of Sept. 11.

More than two months after the attacks grounded their operations, most civilian air traffic has returned to the skies. Large commercial airliners returned soon after the attacks and Federal Aviation Administration restrictions on general aviation gradually eased for most uses beginning late last month.

For more than a month following the attacks, industries that relied on flights, such as tour operators and flight schools, were essentially out of business.

Following constant petitions from private aviation groups, flights resumed at smaller airports such as the North Las Vegas Air Terminal on Rancho Drive, but with a few changes in policy for "enhanced class B" airspace, which includes the skies over almost all of the Las Vegas Valley.

All planes subject to visual flight rules must carry a radar beacon and all pilots must monitor a particular radio frequency for information. Some flights, such as sightseeing, banner towing, news and traffic reporting, and all blimp flights remain prohibited indefinitely.

Jeff Farmer, a local pilot who flies for several local and regional aerial photography and mapping companies, said that the ban has had ripple effects in the real estate industry. He believes the FAA rules are reasonable and that local authorities are cooperative in allowing aerial photography flights.

"(Local air traffc controllers) are making you specifically provide a flight map. They want to know where you're going to be and they don't want any loitering or stunts, or any crazy stuff," especially near sensitive areas such as stadiums, power plants and military facilities, Farmer said.

Photo assignments, however, are just not as plentiful as they once were, according to Farmer. He estimates his business volume for aerial photography is about 60 percent compared to the same time last year.

"It's not because we can't fly. It's just because the work is not there," Farmer said. "What we do is directly related to what development is going on and there's just not as much activity."

John Lloyd of Landiscor Aerial Information, one of the largest aerial photography companies in Las Vegas and the western United States, agrees business is slower than usual, but was optimistic of recovery in the local development industry.

"We're getting over the main scare. The work is starting to come back. We're starting to rebound," Lloyd said.

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