Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 120; Flight Crew Total 8000; Flight Crew Type 400
Situational Awareness
Conflict Airborne Conflict
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Human Factors
Mission: Circle above [NFL] stadium inside a TFR on a waiver for live television coverage 4.5 hours of duration.While circling left turns 1-1.5 mile radius; 2;500 MSL; 90 knots; flaps 15; and the camera deployed below the aircraft; TRACON advised me that an A380 12 o'clock and 2 miles 2;300 MSL climbing. Traffic was in sight and was going to pass directly overhead of the stadium I was circling. I accelerated the turn perpendicular to the A380 path and pushed the nose over for a rapid descent to 1;500 MSL. The aircraft passed just above and behind my aircraft.My decision to descend rather than climb was based on the following:My aircraft's configuration- full power would give me 300 FPM climbMy assumption of the A380 speed and climb rate- 250 knots and 1;000 FPM climbMy decision to continue my turn perpendicular:My fear of the A380's wake turbulenceTRACON did a good job communicating with me to avoid a collision. Tower controllers were aware of me in the airspace and I feel that they should have notified TRACON that an A380 [international flight] would be heavy and have a slow climb rate. I could have left station for fifteen minutes until he was clear.My suggestion is that these long haul aircraft with slow climb rates be given special consideration. While I was in Class B airspace in my encounter; the aircraft had to have been under Class B airspace briefly after it passed me.
Vulcanair P68 pilot on camera duty over a football stadium reported taking evasive action from a heavy A380 climbing out of a nearby airport.