▶ Watch Episode 14 above and go behind the scenes with our Top Gun crew as they keep our helicopter in service.
“Back in Service’ with our ‘Top Gun’ crew, revolves around a SWAT standoff and routine maintenance. Our television news flight does everything they can to stay to stay in service.
With the clock ticking on a required 3,000-hour inspection for our Bell 505, the pressure was on to stay mission-ready. That’s where our “Top Gun” crew stepped in—working around the clock to keep us flying by bringing another helicopter online.
Reported, produced, and edited by journalist Tammy Rose, Episode 14 of Back in Service takes you behind the scenes of the teamwork it takes to keep a news helicopter in the air.
🎥 Watch the full episode and go behind the scenes with SkyEye 13 below.
Some weeks are quiet in aviation maintenance. Others remind you just how quickly everything can change.
Episode 13 of Back in Service takes you behind the scenes with the SkyEye 13 flight crew during a week that started under the glow of a supermoon and quickly turned into nonstop breaking news coverage across Houston.
From aerial views of the supermoon lighting up the night sky to responding to multiple crash scenes, this episode shows what it really takes to keep a television news helicopter mission-ready. When the call comes in, there’s no pause button — the aircraft, crew, and maintenance team all have to be ready.
As someone who lives this world, I wanted to share more than just the beautiful shots. This episode highlights the long hours, fast decisions, and behind-the-scenes work viewers never see — the inspections, coordination, and teamwork that keep SkyEye 13 safely in the air.
Whether we’re capturing a rare moonrise or flying above active scenes to bring critical information to viewers, every flight tells a story. Episode 13 is about those moments — calm, chaos, and everything in between — all from the cockpit.
Video produced, written, and edited by Tammy Rose.
What started as a picture-perfect getaway quickly turned into chaos. From breathtaking beach views to a near drowning and a scooter crash, this Turks and Caicos travel story captures how fast paradise can change. Click the video above to see what really happened during our island adventure.
When a Dream Vacation in Turks and Caicos Goes Wrong
From gorgeous views to a near drowning and a scooter crash, Tammy and Paul set out on another adventure in Turks and Caicos. Click the link above to watch their story unfold.
Video produced, written, and edited by Tammy Rose.
Paul & Tammy take to the skies once again, this time heading south of the border. Click on video above to see their journey.
A Change of Scenery in Cozumel
After weeks of busy schedules and time in the air, Cozumel offered a much-needed change of pace. Warm ocean breezes, crystal-clear water, and island sunsets quickly replaced the familiar routines back home. This trip wasn’t just about the destination — it was about slowing down and enjoying the moment.
Cozumel is known for its laid-back atmosphere and stunning coastline, and it didn’t disappoint. From relaxing by the water to exploring the resort and nearby beaches, every view felt like a reminder of how different life can look when you step away, even briefly.
Traveling South of the Border
Flying south of the border always brings a sense of adventure. There’s something special about watching the landscape change beneath you as you head toward an island destination. This Cozumel travel video captures that journey, from the excitement of departure to the calm that comes with arrival.
Trips like this highlight why travel stories matter — they’re about the experiences between the start and the finish. Whether it’s the flight itself, the scenery, or the unexpected moments along the way, every journey adds another chapter.
Capturing the Journey on Video
Documenting this trip on video allowed us to preserve the moments that photos alone can’t fully capture. From the movement of the water to the sounds of the island, this Cozumel travel video tells the story in real time.
It was a dream vacation to Greece but the highlight of our trip was definitely our engagement. Check out my video blog with my Fiancé, Paul Elies as we make our way through Athens, Mykonos & Santorini.
Our dream vacation
Video produced, written, and edited by Tammy Rose.
Exploring Greece From City Streets to Island Views
Traveling through Greece was a dream come true, starting in the heart of Athens and continuing on to the islands of Mykonos and Santorini. Each stop offered something completely different — from ancient history and architecture to iconic coastlines and whitewashed villages overlooking the sea.
Athens was filled with reminders of just how much history surrounds you at every turn. Standing near the Acropolis and looking out over the city was a moment that truly put the trip into perspective.
From Athens to the Greek Islands
Leaving the mainland and heading to the islands brought a whole new energy to the journey. Mykonos offered vibrant scenery and stunning water views, while Santorini delivered unforgettable sunsets and cliffside landscapes that feel almost unreal in person.
This Greece travel video captures those transitions — the movement between destinations, the views from above, and the moments in between that make travel memorable.
A Trip We’ll Never Forget
While Greece itself was incredible, this trip will always stand out as one of the most meaningful journeys we’ve taken. From historic landmarks to island adventures, it was a reminder of how powerful travel can be when shared.
As a helicopter reporter in Houston, no two days are ever the same. From covering dramatic police chases to breaking news unfolding high above the city, flying over Houston offers a front-row seat to stories that matter. Join me, Tammy Rose, along with pilot Samantha Fisher and mechanics Todd Pierpont and Sergio Martinez, as we navigate life in the air and on the ground in this behind-the-scenes look at chasing the story.
Life as a Helicopter Reporter in Houston
Working as a helicopter reporter in Houston means being ready for anything. From sudden breaking news to long days tracking developing stories, every flight brings new challenges and unforgettable views of the city.
Enjoying behind-the-scenes life as a helicopter reporter in Houston?
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Pilot Samantha FisherHelicopter Reporter Tammy Rose
Flying Over Houston: Behind the Scenes of Aerial News Coverage
Flying over Houston allows us to see the city from a perspective few experience. Whether covering traffic incidents, police activity, or major events, aerial reporting plays a critical role in keeping the public informed in real time.
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Meet the Team Behind the Helicopter
Great aerial coverage depends on teamwork. Pilot Samantha Fisher and mechanics Todd Pierpont and Sergio Martinez ensure every flight is safe and successful, allowing me to focus on delivering accurate and timely reports from above Houston.
As a helicopter reporter, I’ve covered breaking news from the sky for years — but this story was different because it was personal. I had the rare opportunity to be part of an all-female flight news crew, something almost unheard of in television aviation at the time.
From pre-flight planning to live coverage in the air, this experience showed what’s possible when women take the controls in a field long dominated by men.
Behind the Scenes of an All-Female Flight Crew
Watch the full behind-the-scenes video below — filmed, written, edited, and produced by me — for an inside look at what it really takes to report the news from the sky.
From mechanical checks and routine maintenance to live breaking-news coverage, viewers rarely see what happens behind the scenes of a television flight crew. As Helicopter Reporter Tammy Rose, flying alongside Pilot Samantha Fisher, I experienced firsthand what it takes to safely gather news from the sky. Together, we became the only all-female flight news crew in our company nationwide — proving that women belong in every level of aviation.
Pilot Samantha FisherHelicopter Reporter Tammy Rose
Helicopters Incorporated has always set the bar high leading the industry with safety and service. From pilots and photojournalists to mechanics, it takes a team effort to stay above the competition. This month we fly to Houston, Texas to meet part of the crew who helps make that happen.
Journalist Tammy Rose goes inside Helicopters Inc to show how aviation safety and client service set them apart in Houston’s helicopter industry.
Behind the Scenes: How Houston Helicopter Crews Prepare for Every Mission
Helicopter pilot training is far more intense than most people realize. From emergency procedures to precision flight maneuvers, professional pilots must constantly prove they can operate safely in high-pressure, real-world environments.
In my video below, you’ll see real-world helicopter pilot training in action — from check rides to continuous skill development — led by veteran check airman Dale Pike.
Helicopter Pilot Training Led by Veteran Check Airman Dale Pike
What Helicopter Pilot Training Looks Like in Real-World Operations
This report was written, filmed, edited, and narrated by me as part of my ongoing aviation journalism series at Chopper Rose Productions.
Airspace security mission for the first Obama InauguralJet Charter flight
🧠 Why Helicopter Pilot Training Evaluations Matter
Ongoing pilot assessment ensures:
• Compliance with industry standards
• Safe handling of advanced equipment
• Consistent performance across different operational environments
Whether in calm weather or demanding airspace, regular professional check-ins help pilots stay sharp and ready — for every flight.
Pilot Dale Pike with U.S. Customs in Puerto Rico
Why Ongoing Helicopter Pilot Training Matters for Safety
It may be hot and humid in Miami but breaking news is even hotter. Helicopter views often lead the newscast with above the scene storytelling. This month we feature Robin Russell with Helicopters Incorporated who is in charge of over 75 reporters and photojournalists across the country. Click on link below to view the full story.
Watch my exclusive take on Miami’s hot market – full coverage below!
Lead Photojournalist Robin Russell is always on the move, in the air flying for Helicopters Incorporated and on the ground volunteering her time with the Plantation Fire and Rescue Department.
