24-Feb-2014Source: Grand Canyon Helicopters
The Grand Canyon travel season will start in earnest next month. In anticipation of that, Grand Canyon Helicopters has released a free report that lists the best air tour deals for the remainder of Q2 2014. “Right now is one of the best times to book a helicopter tour,” said Keith Kravitz, owner of Grand... Read more
21-Feb-2014Source: Chicaco Sun-Times
Background lobbying has led Zoning Committee Chairman now wanting to ground the helipad plan of Chicago Helicopter Express see full story... Read more
28-Jan-2014Source: Noozhawk
On the way to earning a degree in architecture, Taylor Nancarrow decided to give up college to start a helicopter tour business with a brand new R44 Raven I See full story... Read more
23-Jan-2014Source: Vancouver Sun
RK offers a choice of three Heli Flightseeing Tours starting at $80 per person – See full story... Read more
26-Nov-2013Source: Group3 Aviation
Group3 Aviation, a Los Angeles helicopter tour company, recently added a new helicopter to its fleet. The addition to the fleet is a 206B JetRanger III helicopter, which will be used for charter flights, sightseeing and aerial photographs and filming. The Bell 206 JetRanger helicopter is capable of seating four passengers in addition to the... Read more
18-Nov-2013Source: Air Methods
Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq: AIRM), the global leader in air medical transportation, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Blue Hawaiian Helicopters and its affiliates (“Blue Hawaiian”), a helicopter tour operator based in Hawaii. Founded in 1985, Blue Hawaiian is one of the world’s largest aerial tour operators and is... Read more
15-Nov-2013Source: Las Vegas Review Journal
Heli USA Airways Inc. received U.S. Bankruptcy Court permission on Wednesday to meet its payroll but must make do with a shrunken fleet of tour helicopters. See full story... Read more
30-Oct-2013Source: Las Vegas Review Journal
AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corp., which leased the three Agusta helicopters to Heli USA, said that the tour company defaulted a year ago on the $32,000-a-month payments. Further, a company representative said Heli USA was not maintaining the helicopters correctly. See full story... Read more
2-Oct-2013Source: WBTW
Huffman Helicopters gets their lease renewed despite noise concerns at the location of their heliport in Myrtle Beach see full story... Read more
21-Aug-2013Source: Toshiba Imaging
Toshiba Imaging Systems Division (ISD) (Toshiba Imaging –www.toshibacameras.com), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., and leading manufacturer of ultra-compact high definition (HD) and high resolution CCD and CMOS video cameras, announces that the IK-HR1D, compact 1-chip CMOS, 2.1 megapixel high definition (HD) cameras have been selected for use by Maverick Helicopters (www.FlyMaverick.com– Las Vegas,... Read more
20-Aug-2013Source: Star Helicopters
Star Helicopters, a popular Southern California helicopter tour company, is once again the proud official tour operator of the Wings Wheel Rotor & Expo show. This year’s event will take place on Sunday, October 27 at the Los Alamitos Army Airfield, joint Forces Training Base. A portion of the proceeds from helicopter tours during the show... Read more
19-Aug-2013Source: Grand Canyon Helicopters
In anticipation of Labor Day weekend, Grand Canyon Helicopters, a leading information and discount-booking source for canyon air tours, announced the release of a set of new deals targeting flights from Las Vegas, NV, and Tusayan, AZ. “Labor Day is one of summer’s biggest holidays,” noted Keith Kravitz, owner of Grand Canyon Helicopters. “In most... Read more
8-Aug-2013Source: HeliHub.com
Following their launch on 1st May, The London Helicopter has had regular work offering sightseeing flights from The Barclays London Heliport in Battersea. Initially they were using an AS350B3 Squirrel G-ORKI, which will soon be re-registered G-LHTA to pick up the initials of London Helicopter Tours. Yesterday, a second Squirrel was added – this time... Read more
29-Jul-2013Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter has received a Supplemental Type Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration for installing the Garmin G500H “glass cockpit” multifunction electronic flight display system in the EC130 T2 helicopter. Launch customer Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, the only helicopter tour company serving all four major Hawaiian Islands, has received the first two G500H equipped EC130 T2s... Read more
26-Jul-2013Source: HAI
On Monday, July 15, the FAA published a final rule that will allow some air tour operators who are currently required to run two separate employee drug and alcohol testing programs to combine them into one. “This duplication adds administrative and financial burdens for the operator but it does not increase safety,” the agency wrote in the... Read more
23-Jul-2013Source: News Channel 15
A helicopter company that for years has been taking off and landing near Myrtle Beach International Airport has an uncertain future on county land. See full story... Read more
2-Jul-2013Source: Sloane Helicopters
Established in Mallorca since 1995, Sloane Helicopters has made an exciting decision to base a four-seater Robinson R44 aircraft in Ibiza for various dates throughout summer 2013. Flying in and out of Ibiza Airport, the Company will offer heli-sightseeing trips and a platform for aerial photography. Chief Pilot, Jonny Greenall, says, “We’ve enjoyed a fabulous 18 years... Read more
13-May-2013Source: Alabama Media Group
A helicopter tour and charter business continues to expand in the city with the council’s approval of a second heliport this week. (See Full Story)... Read more
1-May-2013Source: The London Helicopter
The UK’s first public helicopter service to sell individual seats online launches on 1st May when The London Helicopter introduces regular sightseeing flights from The Barclays London Heliport in Battersea. This innovative offering at www.thelondonhelicopter.com allows passengers to pre-book seats for helicopter sightseeing trips over the Capital taking off from London’s only commercially licensed Heliport. The new... Read more
26-Apr-2013Source: Zip Aviation
Zip Aviation re-entered their Bell Jet Ranger 206B into service at their Downtown Manhattan (New York City) Heliport. The Bell Jet Ranger 206B, or known as 99ZA, has received many new upgrades just in time for the summer season. 99ZA’s Turbine engine was overhauled by Aeromaritime, making it like new. The ship was then sent... Read more
8-Apr-2013Source: Florida Today
This site is across the highway from Xtreme Fun at Jungle Village, and he plans to lease a Robinson R44 he calls the Honda of helicopters (see full story)... Read more
19-Mar-2013Source: HAI
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued guidance for a new data collection activity and reporting requirement to all Part 135 and Part 91 commercial air tour operators who conduct commercial air tour flights over or within one-half mile of the boundary of any unit of the National Park Service (NPS) and any abutting tribal... Read more
19-Mar-2013Source: Blue Hawaiian Helicopter
In Fall 2012, HAWAII Magazine asked their 200,000 print-edition readers and their website readers to share their “Hawaii’s Best” selections in more than 60 categories. The 50,000 votes were compiled into the inaugural HAWAII Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards that appear in the March/April issue of the magazine. The categories cover favorites among hotels and resorts; Hawaiian islands and towns; ways to... Read more
1-Mar-2013Source: AL.com
Gulf Shores welcomes second tour operator Corporate Aircraft Solutions, doing business as Oasis Services. (see full story)... Read more
28-Feb-2013Source: HAI
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters and Maverick Helicopters joined Ann Carroll, HAI’s vice president of government affairs, for two days of meetings on Capitol Hill this week with Members of Congress from Arizona and Nevada to discuss air tour industry concerns related to incentives for quiet aircraft technology and air tour operations over Grand Canyon National... Read more
18-Feb-2013Source: Helicopter Me
New Zealand-based helicopter tour company Helicopter Me has expanded its offerings of helicopter tours in the Auckland area The organization has a full repertoire of tours including city and coastal scenic tours, fly in and dine outs, and several helicopter adventure tours. In addition, Helicopter Me recently partnered with Air New Zealand and Alert Taxis... Read more
12-Feb-2013Source: Softtech
Softtech LLC, the maker of the Flight Vector[T] family of products, is proud to announce Sundance Helicopters has adopted the Flight & Duty Tracker[T] system into their operations at their Las Vegas operations! Sundance went live with Flight & Duty Tracker[T] on January 1, 2013. Flight & Duty Tracker[T] is an online solution to all... Read more
12-Feb-2013Source: Myrtle Beach Online
The ongoing legal battle that could put a new helicopter tour company out of business in the Myrtle Beach area heads back to court this week. (see full story)... Read more
23-Jan-2013Source: Heli Tours
Heli Tours new 2nd Helicopter has arrived! ZK-HOI is a H369D modern turbine Helicopter from USA, it is a very fast, very agile type of Helicopter and can fit up to 4 passengers. It also has a large, long cargo pod that fits neatly underneath the Helicopter too. It is polished and ready for work.... Read more
1-Jan-2013Source: Air Methods
Air Methods Corporation (NASDAQ: AIRM), the global leader in air medical transportation, announced today that it has entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Sundance Helicopters, Inc. (Sundance), a helicopter tour operator based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sundance is a leader in helicopter tour... Read more
20-Dec-2012Source: HAI
The recently passed FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 included a provision requiring air tour operators conducting tours over national parks and abutting tribal lands to submit reports to the FAA and the National Park Service (NPS). The “Notification and Guidance” will be posted on the FAA and NPS web sites very soon, and... Read more
20-Dec-2012Source: FAA
The US Dept of Transportation has published a list of parks exempt from the provisions of the Air Tour Management Act. The 2012 FAA reauthorization amended the National Parks Air Tour Management Act to exempt national park units with 50 or fewer annual flights from the provisions of the act, and to publish the list... Read more
19-Dec-2012Source: AL.com
Jerri Thompson, manager of the Jack Edwards National Airport, informally broached the idea during Monday night’s City Council meeting telling leaders that the Airport Authority is in favor of the new business endeavor but is seeking input from the council before moving ahead. (see full story)... Read more
29-Nov-2012Source: HeliHub.com
New Zealand operator Heliview has bought an MD600N from Simm Samm Airways in India, primarily to use as a tour helicopter. Bought in September, but only registered locally on 20th November and is expected to join the active fleet imminently. Heliview is run by husband and wife Richard and Jolanda Foale, who bring complimentary skills... Read more
25-Nov-2012Source: Destin Log
With a unanimous vote this last week, Okaloosa County Commissioners have essentially forced Timberview Helicopters to operating out of the Destin Airport. Previously operating from floating barges, the airport base cuts their turnover by 70% (see full story)... Read more
5-Nov-2012Source: NWF Daily News
New helicopter tour operations may be restricted to taking off and landing at Destin Airport if Okaloosa County commissioners approve a change to the Land Development Code. (see full story)... Read more
22-Oct-2012Source: HAI
Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters is proud to announce that they have completed IS-BAO (International Standard for Business Aviation Operations) registration last August and has received their certification September 1st, 2012. Papillon is now looking forward to completing HAI’s new accreditation program which has IS-BAO certification as one of its core requirements. The HAI Accreditation Program (HAI-AP) is... Read more
12-Oct-2012Source: Destin4Me
Okaloosa recently approved a new tourism helicopter company in Destin that has some residents up in arms. Beach Helicopter can proceed with their plans to set-up a 6,000-square-foot helipad off U.S. Highway 98 (see full story). Beach Helicopter are understood to operate a Robinson R44... Read more
3-Oct-2012Source: American Eurocopter
American Eurocopter has delivered the company’s first EC130 T2 to Maverick Aviation Group. The EC130 T2 is Eurocopter’s newest model, introduced to the industry at this year’s Heli-Expo. Maverick, a leader in the Las Vegas and Grand Canyon tourism industry, was one of the launch customers for the new product line with a signed agreement... Read more
30-Sep-2012Source: HeliHub.com
Stacy and Randy Riggs, owners of Alamo Helicopter Tours of San Antonio are expanding to a second Texan city with the launch of Austin Helicopter Tours. They open for business on 1st October from Bud Dryden Airport, which is about four miles north east of the main Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Initially focusing on the tour... Read more
1-Aug-2012Source: WIVB Channel 4
Western New York Helicopters has opened up Buffalo Waterfront Tours, which will take people along the lakefront, the Naval Park, and downtown Buffalo (see full story)... Read more
30-Jul-2012Source: Big Island News
A helicopter tour company is continuing with the environmental approval process in order to land in the Royal Gardens subdivision – or what’s left of it – when conducting lava tours. (see full story)... Read more
24-Jul-2012Source: FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requesting comment on their intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget to renew for three years an information collection that had previously been granted emergency clearance. The FAA Reauthorization passed in Feb., 2012, requires air tour operators to report the number of operations conducted over... Read more
4-Jul-2012Source: ARSA
On July 2, the FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to revise certain provisions in its drug and alcohol (D&A) testing regulations; comments to the NPRM are due by August 31, 2012. The changes are primarily aimed at allowing Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 121 and part 135 operators with commercial... Read more
4-Jul-2012Source: Myrtle Beach Online
Horry County is considering creating new zoning rules for future helicopter tours after complaints from residents about noise from a new tour company that opened near their neighborhood (see full story)... Read more
3-Jul-2012Source: Destin Log
With a recent 4-0 vote, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners approved a moratorium on the acceptance of applications for helicopter sightseeing tour operations in the Destin area. (see full story)... Read more
27-Jun-2012Source: Voxy
Queenstown-based helicopter company Heli Tours has been granted an historic 18-year permit multi conservancy concession for heli landings, the first of its kind permitted by the Department of Conservation. (see full story)... Read more
27-Jun-2012Source: Helijet
Helijet, based in Vancouver and best known for their scheduled services with Sikorsky S76s, has recently launched sightseeing tours of the British Columbia city with a Bell LongRanger. Three tours are available, 10, 20 or 30 minutes in length:- From Vancouver Harbour Heliport, fly along the treeâ€lined coast of Stanley Park to English Bay, before... Read more
26-Jun-2012
A blessing and dedication was held Thursday at the Lihu‘e Airport Heliport, officiated by Lady Ipo Kahaunaele-Ferreira of Ke Akua Mana Church. (see full story) The company’s website has a great page on its history – from which the following early photo comes – Jack Harter on the left in this shot standing next to... Read more
15-May-2012Source: Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, the largest and most successful aerial tour company in Hawaii, has installed a solar power system on the roofs of its two Operations Center buildings at the Maui Heliport. The Blue Hawaiian array consists of 432 panels providing 102 kw of power, which handles, on average, 90 percent of Blue Hawaiian’s electrical... Read more
29-Mar-2012Source: Grand Canyon Helicopters
Grand Canyon Helicopters, a leading supplier of National Park flights from Las Vegas, released its list of the top-rated tour deals for visitors who plan to see the Park in 2012. The list, which the company has posted annually since 2008, is the result of months of researching nearly 100 air tours. Trips are segmented... Read more
9-Mar-2012Source: HAI
As the U.S. Senate continues to debate the highway bill, HAI opposes amendment #1779 being offered by Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.). The amendment will be voted on late March 13 and contains provisions that would significantly affect air tour operators conducting tours over national parks, and would give the National Park Service sole authority to... Read more
7-Mar-2012Source: Maverick Helicopters
Maverick Helicopters, a leader in the Las Vegas air excursion industry, recently received the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) most prestigious honor for maintenance, the Award of Excellence “Diamond Award.†This achievement signifies the company’s ongoing dedication to maintenance training and aircraft safety. The FAA’s Award of Excellence was created to honor aviation organizations and their... Read more
7-Mar-2012Source: Spidertracks
Spidertracks is the preferred aircraft tracking system for three major helicopter tour operators in Las Vegas. Spidertracks has announced that Sundance, Papillon and HeliUSA, are now tracking their helicopters with spidertracks – portable, and simple, Iridium tracking units – when flying around Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Sundance Helicopters have been a customer of... Read more
12-Feb-2012Source: American Eurocopter
From Eurocopter booth #1917 at the 2012 Heli-Expo, Eurocopter introduced the EC130 T2 to the industry with another classic production and reveal event at the start of the 2012 Heli-Expo tradeshow. During the event, American Eurocopter customer Maverick Helicopters was announced as one of the launch customers for this new product line with a signed... Read more
12-Feb-2012Source: American Eurocopter
At the Heli-Expo launch of Eurocopter’s new EC130 T2 helicopter, American Eurocopter announced today that Blue Hawaiian Helicopters has ordered 20 of the updated EC130 model that has made a name for itself in the United States in a variety of industries, particularly the aerial tour industry. The agreement with Blue Hawaiian includes 10 firm... Read more
11-Feb-2012Source: HTR News
The National Park Service will have the power to ban helicopter flights over Crater Lake without having to go through so much red tape. Oregon Democrats Sen. Ron Wyden and Sen. Jeff Merkley inserted a provision giving that power to the park service into a FAA bill that Congress passed this week. The bill is... Read more
11-Feb-2012Source: TOPS
Helicopter Flight Services (HFS) of New York City will be welcomed into the helicopter Tour Operators Program of Safety(TOPS) (Booth #4105) at the TOPS meeting at HELI-EXPO in Dallas. “We’re thrilled to welcome HFS to TOPS and commend their commitment to helicopter tour operation safety,†said TOPS Chair Tim Cudney. “Choosing to become a member of... Read more
13-Jan-2012Source: HAI
From Jan. 8-12, at the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Aviation Issues Conference in Kona, Kohala Coast, Hawaii, HAI Vice President of Government Affairs Ann Carroll met with Hawaii air tour operators to discuss air tour issues in the Hawaiian islands and to brief industry on legislative and regulatory issues affecting the industry. The... Read more
11-Jan-2012Source: Helicopter NYC
With their new, more interactive website, Helicopter New York City has a new section devoted specifically for customer stories, experiences and review of their award winning helicopter tours. “We’re not only excited about the new look and feel of the website experience for our visitors,†states Matthew Day, Vice President of Business Development at Helicopter New York... Read more
8-Jan-2012Source: HAI
On Dec. 27, the FAA announced via the Federal Register the formation of a Commercial Air Tour Voluntary Accreditation Program Working Group under the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC). The FAA is currently soliciting those with an expertise in commercial air tours to be members of this new working group – which has been tasked... Read more
17-Dec-2011Source: Helicopter NYC
With the launch of their new, more comprehensive website, Helicopter New York City now offers easier website functionality for booking helicopter tours online. “Our customers spoke and we listened,†states Matthew Day, Vice President of Business Development at Helicopter New York City. “Our customer feedback was the impetus for a website redesign so users can quickly book... Read more
7-Dec-2011Source: RSG
Rotorcraft Services Group (RSG), an industry leader in helicopter and aircraft completions for 37 years, recently delivered a Eurocopter AS350B3 “VIP Air Tour” to Gateway Canyons Air Tours of Grand Junction, Colorado. RSG worked closely with the General Manager of Gateway Canyons, Deanna Strand, to configure an elegant VIP tour and transport helicopter for the Colorado skyline. Gateway Canyons... Read more
22-Nov-2011Source: Isle of Man.com
Fans of the TT Races will be able to get a different view of the track this year with the return of helicopter pleasure flights. (see full story)... Read more
25-Oct-2011Source: Kapiti Observer
Commissioner Stephen Chiles granted consent for Heliworx to run scenic tourist and charter flights using Robinson R44 helicopters on the pad adjacent the shopping area. Under the consent conditions, flights will run between 9am and 6pm from December to March, and 9.30am and 4pm during the rest of the year. (see full story) – see... Read more
24-Oct-2011Source: TOPS
Hillsboro Aviation’s Mt. St. Helens tour operation was unanimously elected to join the helicopter Tour Operators Program of Safety (TOPS) by the TOPS Board at their meeting Oct. 14 in San Diego. “We’re thrilled to welcome Hillsboro to TOPS and commend their commitment to helicopter tour operation safety,†said TOPS Chair Tim Cudney. “Choosing to... Read more
24-Oct-2011Source: Middletown Patch
As talk mounts for the repeal of the state’s new tourism tax, it’s a no brainer that helicopter pilot and business owner Jeff Codman is right on board – in a recent interview he said that 90% of his business is tours. (see full story)... Read more
4-Oct-2011Source: Mercury News
The National Park Service and the FAA are starting work on a public plan that could result in new limits on helicopter and airplane tours over the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. (see full story)... Read more
12-Apr-2011Source: Maverick Helicopters
The latest sightseeing excursion from Maverick Helicopters will give Las Vegas visitors a daytime view of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, as well as scenic surrounding desert and mountain areas. This newest expedition, Vegas Voyage, debuts today, Monday, April 11, 2011 and departs daily from Maverick Helicopters’ main termina, 6075 Las Vegas Boulevard South. “We... Read more
