WCAU Philly Helicopter Takes Off

NBC-owned station has its own chopper after exiting LNS

By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 2/27/2013 10:51:18 AM

WCAU Philadelphia debuted its new helicopter, Skyforce10, Feb. 25. The helicopter holds two interior and two exterior cameras, a telestrator that allows reporters to interact with live video and the ability to stay in flight for 2½ to 3 hours.

WCAU plans to introduce Web integration soon that will let online users track the helicopter in real time, with a live feed from the tail camera and live mapping of its location.

In September, the NBC-owned station announced it was departing Local News Service -- the video-sharing concept that debuted in Philadelphia between WCAU and Fox's WTXF in January 2009.

"Of course we have our team on the ground for every breaking news situation, but we have SkyForce10 in the air, with a journalist inside, being able to tell you what's going on, not only what you're seeing but how that affects you and tell the story behind it," said Christine Maddela, WCAU reporter, on the station site. "It is really a game-changer."