Debrief /

One of stunt pilot Steve Stafford’s greatest challenges was making what appeared to be an out-of-control helicopter landing on the set of a New York City street for the NBC-TV series Chuck. He had only a few feet to spare on each side of the rotor disc. And it was at night. “I’m incredibly lucky,” Stafford says. “I get to fly under bridges and chase bad guys along mountain roads without worrying about losing my license.”

WHO: Steve Stafford

OCCUPATION: Hollywood stunt pilot, owner of Studio Wings

HOURS: 8,700 hours, half in helicopters. Airline transport pilot certificates and CFIIs in both airplanes and helicopters, and single-pilot Cessna Citation ratings. Qualified in off-shore and aerial surveillance.

STARTED IN AVIATION…My father was a B-17 captain in World War II, so I grew up around airplanes. After a stint in the Marine Corps, I decided to get my certificates using the GI Bill.

EARLY CHALLENGES…My earliest challenges were finding a way to pay for flying while building time and adding ratings. I got into the film business, first as a cameraman and eventually began directing television episodes, so I found a way to finance my passion for aviation.

HARDEST LESSONS…I think the hardest lesson to learn was patience; taking the time to build the skills and knowledge base necessary to fly safely and know my limitations. Getting my instructor ratings and learning to teach really set me on a road to becoming a professional pilot. 

Once I decided to fly for the film industry, all the previous years of training, and especially teaching, really paid off. When you are flying on films, the level of precision and timing is quite high and you literally don’t have the time or luxury to think about what you are doing with the airplane or helicopter. How much energy you have stored in the wings or rotors has to be second nature, as there are so many things happening when you are flying and filming in close formation or chasing another aircraft under a bridge.

FAVORITE AIRCRAFT… My favorite two airplanes are the de Havilland Beaver (round motor heaven) and the Citation CJ3 (420 knots at FL450 on 110 gph). My favorite helicopter is the Eurocopter (now Airbus) AS350 B3-2B1 (brutally powerful and a dream to autorotate).

ADVICE FOR STUDENTS…Hang in there and find a way to get your certificates and ratings. What we do every day as pilots is something few on this Earth will ever get to experience. If you have a passion for flying and can persist until you find a way to earn your living in aviation, you’ll love what it brings and will never have to go to “work.”