Landing inside Aloha Stadium isn’t included in Makani Kai Helicopters tours, so don’t go reaching for your cellphone to book a flight if you to see one of the company’s Eurocopter Astars disappearing behind the north end zone this week.
A touchdown such as that would mark a historic moment for both the Halawa stadium and the CBS cop drama "Hawaii Five-0," which included the scenario in the script of its Season 4 premiere, airing Sept. 27.
When edited into the episode, it will likely look more awesome than it actually was. That’s because the maneuver, even in tight surroundings, is more routine than stunt, according to Richard Schuman, the 55-year-old owner of Makani Kai Helicopters and the pilot who will do the flying.
"The landing is like we do every day, several times a day," he told the Star-Advertiser. "The only difference is, now you are surrounded by a stadium."
The stunt has been in the works for weeks, and at a July 5 public meeting, Stadium Authority board members appeared to favor the request. But the elephant in the room was bigger than a University of Southern California lineman: What would happen if there was an accident and the field could not be repaired in time for the University of Hawaii football team’s season opener with the USC Trojans on Aug. 29?
"This would be a huge loss," stadium manager Scott Chan told the board. "It would not be good for anyone if this game did not take place."
Stadium officials, using 2010 data, estimated the university would be out $2.3 million if that happens. But UH is comfortable with the stunt as proposed, said John McNamara, associate athletic director.
Board members noted at the meeting that "Five-0" was agreeing to cover any damages and would conduct tests before and after the filming to measure the 3,500-pound helicopter’s impact — if any — on the turf’s bounce.
Schuman, whose helicopters have flown "Five-0" episodes for the past three seasons, did his best to reassure stadium officials.
During the filming, he’ll probably hover about 50 feet above Aloha Stadium’s synthetic turf before the show’s director tells him to land, he said. If his engine suddenly stalls, Schuman doesn’t anticipate a problem landing safely. He would "float down like a kite," he said.
"If done properly, it would come down no harder than you jumping off a table," Schuman told stadium officials. "We train for that. But a worst-case scenario where the engine suddenly quits is extremely rare."
The worst-case scenario, though, would be worse for Schuman, who has flown helicopters for 18 years, the pilot told the board.
"If I was to die of a heart attack coming over the stadium and the helicopter nosed down and crashed into the 50-yard-line, that would probably put a big dent in the field," he said. "And I’m not sure how you would repair the field if that was the case."
Under the plan discussed, the field’s 45-square-foot centerpiece, which has the University of Hawaii logo woven into the synthetic material, would be removed for the scene. "Five-0" would have to restore infill material — the rubberized granules between the blades of artificial grass — blown away by wash from the helicopter rotors.
The board agreed to a $2,000-per-day fee for "Five-0" to use the stadium and its parking lot from today through Wednesday. At last word, the agreement had not been finalized but the Stadium Authority board did not anticipate a problem closing the deal.
Schuman, who has done most of the flying in "Five-0" episodes, doesn’t feel he’ll contribute anything unexpected to the episode when he lands.
"It’s not difficult," he said after the meeting. "It’s like driving your car into your garage."
AND that’s a wrap …
Mike Gordon is the Star-Advertiser’s film and television writer. Read his Outtakes Online blog at honolulupulse.com. Reach him at 529-4803 or email mgordon@staradvertiser.com.
