SkyFoxHD's Blog

Hello Everyone!

Well, Olivia Nicole Simonsen was born on June 20th at 11:30 in the morning. I have to admit that I was a little nervous for many different reasons. Would everything go smoothly? Would she be a healthy baby? Will I still be a good father now that I will have two children competing for my attention? Will Lindsay, my 2 1/2 year old, rebel? It has been an emotional roller coaster. Olivia is absolutely beautiful! When she opens her eyes and looks at me I melt. She is not a big fan of consistent sleep however. She seems to be on the 1 1/2-2 hour schedule so it has been a little rough. Add to that, my daughter Lindsay who has been waking up between 4 and 5 am every morning and dragging her three blankets into our room and asking to hop into bed with us. I swear that Igor from "Young Frankenstein" was haunting the halls of my house yesterday morning with the sound that those three blakents make as they are dragged across the carpet. My wife, Christine has been awesome. I help out a lot but the lion's share of the work falls upon her. As soon as that baby begins to cry for a bottle, no matter what time it is, she springs into action. As many have you have noticed, I have been off this week helping Christine with the baby but next week I am back to work. It should be interesting with the three of them home alone! The transition will, no doubt be challenging. Stay tuned for more updates and please understand if I look a little beat up from time to time! Later.

Kai

The Pope's visit to NYC and Washington was truly inspiring. To see children idolizing someone who has devoted their life to serving others, someone who symbolizes love, compassion, tolerance, and truth is, in many ways, a renewal of hope for everyone. No matter what religion you practice, it is refreshing to see people rally behind someone who's message reminds us to work for a better world and to offer a helping hand to those in need. I consider it a privilege to have covered his visit to our area.

A little less than a week before the Pope's visit, the first flight restrictions were published by the FAA. Surprisingly, they weren't as tight as we thought they would be and figured that there would be more issued as the week progressed but they never did. On Friday we were over Central Park looking back down East 72nd street where the Pope was staying. He was scheduled to head over to the Church of Saint Joseph on East 87 Street and we were waiting for him to emerge from the Vatican Embassy. Just after he got into his limo, air traffic controllers told us to leave the area and we got nothing! We thought for sure that it would be the same deal for the rest of his visit but on Saturday we decided to try again anyway. We were able to hang out over Saint Pat's for a little while Saturday morning but again were asked to leave just before he arrived. For the Pope's public greeting up 5th Avenue, we were kept a few miles away but were still able to get some distant shots of the Pope Mobile as the Pope waved to the thousands of devoted Catholics who had crammed the sidewalks to see him.

Only two news helicopters launched for the Pope's trek up to Yonkers and we were one of them. I decided to take a chance and park it over the west side of Central Park. I had the same shot I had had the day before: that white tent out in front of the Vatican Embassy surrounded by a small army of NYPD Officers, Secret Service Agents, Swiss Guardsman, and Vatican Dignitaries. The Pope entered his limo and the motorcade was on the move. It was then that we caught a big break. As the Pope moved through the upper east side, the helicopter began to move with him. I looked at my pilot, Rob Angelos, in amazement, "They're letting us follow him?" Rob replied, "They are for now...". So with five law enforcement helicopters hovering overhead, 15 or so motorcycle cops at the front of the motorcade, 10 other NYPD and Secret Service vehicles, and police sharp shooters stationed on various rooftops along the route, there we were...right over the Pope as he looked out from the FDR Drive at the East River. At one point, I zoomed all the way in on the limo and could actually see the white-haired Pontiff. We were the only news helicopter there. It felt good.

Looking back, I now realize that the only reason we were allowed to do what we did is because we were the only one's there. If there had been any other news helicopters in that spot they would have asked us to stay clear. The gamble paid off and the our station was grateful. Many people have complimented me since then saying that the shots were great. I couldn't have done it, however, without the finesse and skill of my pilot, Rob who pulled some tricky maneuvers out of his repertoire to make it happen.

In the end I learned that no matter what you think may happen, things can always take an unexpected turn and you have to be ready for it especially in this business. It turns out that we were ready and we seized an opportunity when it was presented. Maybe it was skill and maybe it was luck. Either way, it felt awesome!

Yours Truly,

Kai Simonsen

This post has been edited by an administrator

The Pope's visit to NYC and Washington was truly inspiring. To see children idolizing someone who has devoted their life to serving others, someone who symbolizes love, compassion, tolerance, and truth is, in many ways, a renewal of hope for everyone. No matter what religion you practice, it is refreshing to see people rally behind someone who's message reminds us to work for a better world and to offer a helping hand to those in need. I consider it a privilege to have covered his visit to our area.

A little less than a week before the Pope's visit, the first flight restrictions were published by the FAA. Surprisingly, they weren't as tight as we thought they would be and figured that there would be more issued as the week progressed but they never did. On Friday we were over Central Park looking back down East 72nd street where the Pope was staying. He was scheduled to head over to the Church of Saint Joseph on East 87 Street and we were waiting for him to emerge from the Vatican Embassy. Just after he got into his limo, air traffic controllers told us to leave the area and we got nothing! We thought for sure that it would be the same deal for the rest of his visit but on Saturday we decided to try again anyway. We were able to hang out over Saint Pat's for a little while Saturday morning but again were asked to leave just before he arrived. For the Pope's public greeting up 5th Avenue, we were kept a few miles away but were still able to get some distant shots of the Pope Mobile as the Pope waved to the thousands of devoted Catholics who had crammed the sidewalks to see him.

Only two news helicopters launched for the Pope's trek up to Yonkers and we were one of them. I decided to take a chance and park it over the west side of Central Park. I had the same shot I had had the day before: that white tent out in front of the Vatican Embassy surrounded by a small army of NYPD Officers, Secret Service Agents, Swiss Guardsman, and Vatican Dignitaries. The Pope entered his limo and the motorcade was on the move. It was then that we caught a big break. As the Pope moved through the upper east side, the helicopter began to move with him. I looked at my pilot, Rob Angelos, in amazement, "They're letting us follow him?" Rob replied, "They are for now...". So with five law enforcement helicopters hovering overhead, 15 or so motorcycle cops at the front of the motorcade, 10 other NYPD and Secret Service vehicles, and police sharp shooters stationed on various rooftops along the route, there we were...right over the Pope as he looked out from the FDR Drive at the East River. At one point, I zoomed all the way in on the limo and could actually see the white-haired Pontiff. We were the only news helicopter there. It felt good.

Looking back, I now realize that the only reason we were allowed to do what we did is because we were the only one's there. If there had been any other news helicopters in that spot they would have asked us to stay clear. The gamble paid off and the our station was grateful. Many people have complimented me since then saying that the shots were great. I couldn't have done it, however, without the finesse and skill of my pilot, Rob who pulled some tricky maneuvers out of his repertoire to make it happen.

In the end I learned that no matter what you think may happen, things can always take an unexpected turn and you have to be ready for it especially in this business. It turns out that we were ready and we seized an opportunity when it was presented. Maybe it was skill and maybe it was luck. Either way, it felt awesome!

Yours Truly,

Kai Simonsen

     Well Guys, unfortunately we had to get down to business today after all of the holiday cheer. SkyFox HD was over a double shooting at the Andros Restaurant in the Ironbound District of Newark this morning. Apparently, there was a dispute late last night at  Newark social club between two bouncers and two other men that were refused entrance into the club. The two bouncers again encountered the two men in front of the Andros Diner on Wilson Avenue at about 3:30am. The dispute then became physical and shots rang out. One of the bouncers was fatally wounded and the other suffered "non-life threatening" injuries.
     This is the 97th homicide in the city of Newark this year compared to 104 for the same period in 2006. What has the world come to when 97 homicides in one year in one mid-sized city is actually an improvement? I have encountered many people from our area that have given up on our inner cities and seem to accept these incidents as part of life there and I think that is sad. I do not  have the answers to the problems that plague our society but I am a firm believer that if ordinary citizens like you and I begin accepting these unfortunate events as part of modern life we are doomed.

Kai

Hello and Merry Christmas to All:

     I have been reading your comments here and you guys are nuts but I love ya. So it looks like Christmas is about over and I thought I would drop a line before I went to bed. Christmas Eve was a lot of fun, we got a little rowdy but nobody got hurt, LOL. Got a gift card so that I can buy myself a down jacket since I now have to walk outside for about 100 yards to get to the bathroom at the airport. Also got some clothing, new PJ's, Starbucks gift card, etc... Next weekend we will be with my parents in Northern Virginia doing it all over again. I'll be back with you tomorrow thru Friday then I am off again on New Years Eve and day. Bert will be working the afternoon tomorrow. We'll see you then. I will try to post some pix tomorrow if I have time. I hope you all had a safe and wonderful Christmas. Be careful driving home tonight.

Kai

Hey Guys!

     Tomorrow morning I will be off but you will be in the very capable hands of Bert Gonzalez. I took the day off because my family starts early on Christmas Eve (about 11am). I will be logging in from time to time so I hope I 'll catch some of you. Whether you celebrate the holiday or not, I  hope you all have a safe and wonderful day. I will see you bright and early on December 26th, eager to get back into the chopper to show you all what's going on.

Regards,

Kai

Hello All!

     It wasn't the busiest week for SkyFox HD but at least we were able to get some flying in.  The weather over the past several weeks has not been cooperative with regard to flying but I guess that's how it goes sometimes. I can't tell you all how happy I am with the overwhelming response we have received on our live video chat. I have to admit that even though I fly in SkyFox every day and you would think that I have been de-sensitized to certain aspects of the job, I do think that being able to watch SkyFox live over the internet is pretty cool. It takes some getting used to though. You definitely have to watch what you say and do at all times. I am surprised by the response we have gotten from around the world as well. Apparently we have friends in many places.
     This new SkyFox HD blog will be cool too. Chris and I will be able to further comment on stories we have covered and I am sure you will have much to add as well. Keep an eye out for exclusive pictures of the SkyFox HD crew and the one and only, SkyFox HD. Happy Holidays to  everyone from all of us here at SkyFox HD and we are looking forward to another successful year here at Fox 5 News!

Kai