Take a Tour in a Helicopter
Taking a ride in a helicopter can be exciting, a bit nerve wracking, and a fantastic experience. If you love flying, and you have never been in one, then it's time to take a tour in one.
Steps
- Search for a helicopter tour company.
- Take your camera, but leave your bags in the car. No loose objects. Just the camera, no cases. When taking pictures, do not steady yourself on the frame of the helicopter, or it will come out blurry. Holding it will come out much more clearly.
- Be aware your helicopter may be door-less. The pilot may opt or insist upon removing the doors. Do not be alarmed. This is for your comfort. The doors wouldn't do much to keep you in anyway, they're just for wind and temperature control.
- Relax. This will be just like an elevator ride only much better. Fear of heights? Not a problem. For some reason, fear of heights is not a problem. Some say that it's because you are in the helicopter, many pilots have a fear of heights too, and it does not affect your comfort in the helicopter.
Tips
- Book another flight! After your first flight, you will feel overwhelmed with information and the sensory overload that naturally comes with flight. Book another tour soon and you will get even more out of the subsequent flights.
- Ask questions. The pilot is a pilot, not a tour guide so may not be extremely knowledgeable. Pilots look for major landmarks, so unless you luck out and get one with a keen interest in the location, he may not know everything. Keep asking though because you will find some great answers and points of interest.
Warnings
- Shield your eyes if you are approaching the helicopter and the rotors are turning. The downwash of air from the rotors can be intense, depending on the size of the helicopter.
- No loose objects. A simple piece of paper could bring you down out of the sky in an emergency landing.
- Do not approach the helicopter until you are instructed to do so.
- Do not walk behind the helicopter. This is the most common ground accident. Stay in front of the helicopter at all times. There is also usually a large fan right behind the cockpit that can suck you in, so stay away from behind the back door!
- Do not put your hand out the door when flying. The wind speed is four times more powerful than in a car, and will wrench your arm badly.
- If you decide to go with a hangover or some other reason you may decide to be sick. If a bag is not provided, it is much cleaner to vomit inside your shirt. It sounds nasty, but it is much better for all when you keep it in your shirt.
Things You'll Need
- Camera.
- Wind jacket on cold days.
- Less clothing on hot days - there is no air conditioning (usually).
