Herb,

The camera I use (Panasonic GH4) has exceptional resolution (4k), speed with a fairly powerful lens. We are primarily shooting wide angle shots. The system does not need to be "in close" to the glider or tow aircraft. It is actually preferable to be at some distance and capture the glider within the broader scenery. All of the filming would be at a private airport in a controlled environment and no other operations would be allowed.

I am looking for 4 specific soaring shots:

1) My favorite shot will actually be from "behind" the winch vehicle location shooting down the rope towards the glider being winch launched (2-4k ft away). As the winch launch begins the system would depart the winch (in shot) and climb aggressively as the glider ascends downrange holding the same altitude as the winching glider for a period of a few seconds (perhaps 10).. This perspective would be interesting for showing the climb rate from 1000's of feet away. The winch rope (and it's curve) would likely show up well with the right lighting. I like to imagine the sensation of intense climb rate and altitude perspective change (hopefully with great scenery) that this would provide. Imagine Karl's place and the view from the top of his ridge for example.

http://vimeo.com/51897500 (see launch from winch roughly 2 min in)

It would also be interesting to get this same shot from behind the glider being launched.

2) The other aero launch shots would be from well behind the tow pair. One shot from directly behind and another off to the side. A changing angle relative to the glider during the directly behind shot (moving out to the side while climbing for example) would be impressive.

3) The landing shots would be from well away in approximately the opposite base/final position at low altitude (200 ft). The idea would be to follow the glider thru it's pattern from midfield downwind thru touchdown and rollout. At short final or as the glider overtakes the system toward the runway I could follow the glider in towards touchdown from behind and end up within a couple hundred feet as the glider rolls to a stop and the pilots exit..

Here is another good example that might provide an idea of the potential: http://youtu.be/8GMs58ihaJ8

Sean