Calendar of Operations
“This is not just about getting access all areas (though that is a big part), but also about the learning of different levels of photography and post-processing, the development of your hobby into tangible end products, sharing experience, working alongside pros all over the world, meeting and discussing relevant topics with the people that are best in the business, the social side and the belonging to something that is year-round.”
All dates are preliminary until confirmed and ready for booking. All events are subject to change (especially the Assignments as they are conducted with operational squadrons) and are subject to security, operational, technical or weather issues. As such, COAP, IAAT and the respective militaries are not responsible for cancellation at any stage, bad weather or non-flying activity. Safety and Insurance is your own responsibility and risk.
NOTICE ABOUT 2017 OPERATIONS: THE INFORMATION BELOW IS PURELY A HEADS UP OF WHAT WE INTEND TO WORK TOWARDS OR IN PLANNING STAGES. NOTHING IS CONFIRMED AND EVERYTHING IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE - THIS IS A PRELIMINARY FRAMEWORK OF INTENDED OPERATIONS (as of October 2016).
Safety and insurance is your own responsibility and risk. Please note that some Assignments can be very, very physically demanding, in extreme weather, for extended periods of time, with intense , fast-moving activity and any bookings are accepted on that basis. If you have any questions about the physical undertaking, please get in contact.
2017
January 2017
Swiss AF: Sion
An action-packed two-part Assignment to the stunning mountain base - in use for the last time - including on-base access!
February 2017
March 2017
April 2017
USMC PROWLERS & NAS OCEANA
The world’s last EA-6B Prowlers at MCAS Cherry Point plus ‘Fightertown’ NAS Oceana with its fleet of legendary units.
May 2017
June 2017
July 2017
August 2017
September 2017
Taiwan
A structured photographic visit to the principal shooting locations outside the main air bases in Taiwan, led by professional aviation photographers.
Wonsan Air Festival
The unforgettable sights of North Korea, with air force and civil participation and amazing cultural experiences.
Liberty Wing
An access all-areas Assignment to an operational squadron of the 48th FW based at RAF Lakenheath.
October 2017
AIR-TO-AIR: LIVE!
Go air-to-air in a very special photo warbird sortie! Plan, brief and execute your own photo sortie under the guidance of a pro shooter.
LOW-LEVEL PHOTOGRAPHY
An introduction into the world of exhilarating (yet unpredictable) world of low-level photography with Workshop.
The United Kingdom
An unmissable chance to spend time in the UK’s best photographic locations on the military and preservation scene, with air-to-air and Workshops.
Japanese Industry
A high level media visit to the primary industry plants in Japan, with operational access to the latest assets of the JASDF, JMSDF and JGSDF.
November 2017
Indian ‘Flankers’
The an incredible Assignment to cover the full spectrum of squadron life and operations of the phenomenal Su-30 ‘Flanker’ in Indian AF service.
December 2017
Bangladesh
A structured photographic visit to the main outside shooting locations during anniversary celebrations, led by professional aviation photographers.
2018
Myanmar & Thailand
A structured photographic visit to the main air bases in Myanmar and Thailand, led by professional aviation photographers.
Exotic Wings #2
Title: Myanmar & Thailand
Date: Jan 2018 Thailand & Myanmar
Capacity: 6x photographers
China Zhuhai
A structured photographic visit to China's incredible Zhuhai show, led by professional aviation photographers with evening Workshops.
‘Bucket List’ Caribbean
The best holiday in the world? Lightroom Workshop and Photography School, shooting on *that* beach on the tropical Caribbean paradise island of St Maarten.
Assignment #14
Title: Caribbean Lightroom Workshop
Date: February 2018 | Caribbean
Capacity: Unlimited
Polish Mi-24 'Hinds'
On exercise with the Polish meanest battlefield attack helicopters in the world!
Completed 2015 - 2016
Photography #1
Right the way through aviation photography from start to finish. Interactive sessions on the principals, workflow & editing processes to enable you to get the best out of your images.
Workshop #1
Title: Photography of Aviation: 1
Date: 25/4/2015 | 1 Day | London
Capacity: FULL - SOLD OUT
Tornado Force
A day’s shooting with No12(B) Squadron Tornado GR4s, with aircrew briefing.
Assignment #1
Title: Tornado Force
Date: 18-19/5/2015 | 1 Day | No12(B) Sqn
Capacity: FULL - SOLD OUT
PHOTOGRAPHY
An in-depth look at the principals of aviation photography, drawn on Rich Cooper’s 30-year experience, and gain insight into the Workflow and Post-Processing techniques.
Workshop #2
Title: Photography of Aviation
Date: January 30th | Newark Air Museum
Capacity: 10x Photographers
Polish Hinds
On exercise with the awesome Mi-24 ‘Hinds’ of the Polish AF, plus a Workshop with famous Polish photographer Bartek Bera.
Assignment #2
Title: POLISH Mi-24 ‘HINDS’
Date: 1-4/7/2015 | 4 Days | Poland
Capacity: FULL - SOLD OUT
RAFVALLEY
A full day at RAF Valley, spending the morning on the Hawk T1 and T2 flightlines of No 208 and IV Squadrons, plus the last yellow SAR Sea Kings of No 22 Squadron, followed by an afternoon on the runway caravan. In the evening we will be hosted by an active-duty RAF Hawk pilot and aerial photographer for a special Workshop.
Wittmund
Operational shoot with Luftwaffe EF2000 QRA Detachment and DADS A-4 Skyhawks. A fantastic mix of operational photography and aircrew engagement. for potential magazine publication.
Assignment #4
Title: LUFTWAFFE EF2000s & DADS A-4s
Date: 24-27/8/2015 | Germany
Capacity: FULL - SOLD OUT
The Vulcan
Aviation Photography Workshop talking through the art of classic/museum aviation photography and the last operations of Vulcan XH558, with access to the aircraft itself.
RAF CHINOOKS
A rare opportunity to photograph the vital RAF Chinook fleet at its home station, including a Workshop the night before.
NATO Frontline
Prestigious opportunity to shoot on NATO’s frontline during the Baltic Air Policing mission at Siauliai, Lithuania., producing a book for the air base.
BULGARIA
The last chance anywhere to shoot operational MiG-29s, MiG-21s and Su-25s together, working with the BuAF to cover history as the military modernises. Includes prestigious Workshop and Seminar, with book produced for BuAF.
Assignment #7
Title: BULGARIAN AIR FORCE FIGHTERS
Date: 5-9/10/15 | Graf Ignatievo, Bulgaria
Capacity: FULL - SOLD OUT
F-15C Eagles
Two-day Assignment with the 493rd FS ‘Grim Reapers’ of the 48th FW at RAF Lakenheath. An unforgettable experience of life and action amongst Air Superiority, producing a book for the unit, plus Workshop.
Assignment #8
Title: 493rd Fighter Squadron
Date: 26-28/10/15 | RAF Lakenheath
Capacity: FULL - SOLD OUT
USMC PROWLERS
The world’s last EA-6B Prowlers at MCAS Cherry Point plus the US Navy Aggressor F-5 Tigers at NAS Key West. Will also include a Workshop with a world-class American photographer.
Assignment #10
Title: USN AGGRESSORS
Date: 11-14/11/15 | NAS Key West, Florida
Capacity: FULL - SOLD OUT
‘JUST JANE’
A staged re-enactment, evening, engine run and night shoot with the evocative Avro Lancaster. There will be a Workshop during the day entitled Museum & Classic Aircraft Photography, followed by a late afternoon, evening and night shoot with a full WW2 re-enactment and engine start with Timeline Events Ltd.
‘JUST JANE’
A staged re-enactment, evening, engine run and night shoot with the evocative Avro Lancaster. There will be a Workshop during the day entitled Museum & Classic Aircraft Photography, followed by a late afternoon, evening and night shoot with a full WW2 re-enactment and engine start with Timeline Events Ltd.
Photoshoot #3
Title: Lancaster 'Just Jane'
Date: 17/9/2016 | East Kirkby
Capacity: 10x Photographers
Japan
A structured, purely photographic visit to the main air bases in Japan, led by professional aviation photographers.
Payerne Hornets & Tigers
Shooting the busy action of the Swiss AF F/A-18C/D Hornets and F-5E/F Tiger IIs on live-armed duty to protect the WEF.
Assignment #12
Title: Payerne Hornets & Tigers
Date: January 2016 | Switzerland
Capacity: 10x Photographers
Ukraine
A structured photographic visit inside specific military fighter based in this war-torn country, under invite from the Ukraine military and led by professional aviation photographers.
Davis-Monthan A-10s
A special visit to the awesome A-10 Warthog community based at Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona.
Assignment #13
Title: Davis-Monthan A-10s
Date: 11-20 Nov 2016 | Nevada-Arizona
Capacity: 8x Photographers
North Korea
The rarest aircraft in the world? The incredible opportunity to attend this invite-only event in North Korea, with promise of Air Force and Air Koryo participation.
Sion Hornets & Tigers
Shooting the busy action of the Swiss AF F/A-18C/D Hornets and F-5E/F Tiger IIs at this picturesque base.
Assignment #16
Title: Sion Hornets & Tigers
Date: 7-11 March 2016 | Switzerland
Capacity: 8x photographers
Meiringen Hornets & Tigers
Shooting the busy action of the Swiss AF F/A-18C/D Hornets and F-5E/F Tiger IIs at this stunning base.
Assignment #23
Title: Meiringen Hornets & Tigers
Date: 7-10 June 2016 | Switzerland
Capacity: 8x photographers
RIAT Air-to-Air!
An exclusive chance for two COAP members to join Europe’s famous Air-to-Air PhotoCrew during RIAT arrivals.
Fitters, Haze & Industry
The Polish AF’s awesome Su-22M-4 ‘Fitter’ fleet at Swidwin, the rare Mi-14 ‘Haze’ fleet at Darlowo, plus the re-work facility at Bydgoszcz.
Assignment #28
Title: Fitters, Haze & Industry
Date: 3-7 Oct 2016 | Poland
Capacity: 10x photographers
Top Guns & Dragon Ladies
The ultimate US Navy carrier work-up proving ground at NAS Fallon plus the incredible USAF U-2s at Beale AFB
Assignment #29
Title: Top Gun, CA ANG & Death Valley
Date: 28 Nov-3 Dec 2016 | USA
Capacity: 8x photographers
58110Hours of photographic operations
available through COAP this year!630Hours of expert training
available through COAP this year!1225Hours of expert insider knowledge
available through COAP this year!© 2015 Centre of Aviation Photography · All Rights Reserved.
