Filming on or with a Private Jet

Private jets or Executive Jets are one of the things we get asked to source the most from producers. They are popular with many projects including Dramas, Action films, Adverts and Music videos.

As you are aware private jets cost millions of pounds and the owners usually don’t need any extra money. There is also the hassle of having their jet being taken away from other business for a day and the risk of damage being caused by a film. This can make securing a private jet both difficult and extremely expensive.

After years of hiring Jets from charter companies at great expense to the film producers (and much stress to us), we thought that there must be a more cost effective way of supplying this service to productions.

We looked back at all the films we had supplied private Jets for and one thing became apparent – The shot that everyone wants is the expensive car arriving to pick up the VIP who has just landed. Very few film makers wanted to see the Jet fly.

Using our connections to the aviation industry, our solution was to buy two executive jets that are purely used like props for filming. Both look cosmetically perfect but they won’t fly again. This makes them ideal for filming and we can afford to rent them for a fraction of the price of a flying one. We got two because one is a smaller jet for hopping around Europe and the other is a bigger / longer range one. They can both be towed around and dressed easily in to a scene. Both can be painted and adapted to suit your needs. Also the lights work and they are all film friendly.

Now what about interiors? Well we have built a studio ready Private Jet interior set that is permanently erect in one of the studios here at Dunsfold. It is pre lit and ready to shoot on with the choice of day light and tungsten lights. All the TV screens and practical lights also work. If you need both, you can film for half a day in the set and half a day on the exterior. This will allow you to easily get all the shots you need in the same location.

As for the airport location we have a good selection of hangars, aprons and run ways at Dunsfold Airport where the Jets and set are based. It is close to London and very film friendly. It can double for an international airport like it did in Casino Royale or a tiny private strip like in Red 2.

If you want to know more please drop us an e-mail or give us a call on +44 (0)1483 200 057.