Sky 2 is a mobile TV station. On board are two small cameras, one in the front cockpit to show our reporter, the other in the backseat. The pilot sits on the right side of the aircraft and the passenger on the left. A little backwards unless you live in England.

The rear area is the main broadcast center. This is where the photographer sits, steering the FLIR camera, operating the microwave transmitter and receiver and recording those fabulous images.

We tint the windows in the back so it’s easier to see the monitors. Without the ability to see forward, the photographer relies on the FLIR to see what isn’t visible out the window. It takes spatial relationship skills and teamwork between the pilot and the photographer to navigate the camera.

Sky 2's model is a Bell 206L4 Longranger IV. It has a jet turbine engine and uses a two bladed rotor system.

It also is a mobile antenna platform. There are antennas to transmit and receive TV signals, radio signals and data. The dome on the belly houses the 2 GHz microwave antennas.

The FLIR gyro stabilized camera system is mounted on the nose of the aircraft to minimize vibration interference. There is also a camera mounted on the horizontal stabilizer on the right side of the aircraft. This is a great view of Sky 2 in flight.

Sky 2 can stay airborne for over two hours at a time. With a large state to cover, that means we can get to the scene faster or stay on breaking news longer. Sky 2 has covered huge fires, crime scenes, natural disasters, sporting and community events, natural beauty, traffic and weather.

We have a helipad on the roof of the Wells Fargo Building for Sky 2. There is nothing like taking off or landing on a downtown high-rise.

The ride is very comfortable, and it’s always nice to know you can hover over a scene.

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Inside Sky2 - Sponsored by Saturn 29 Photos Updated 1/02 1:28 pm Take a look inside and outside the Sky 2 helicopter