Helicopter Tips

A helicopter tour is much more thrilling than any amusement park ride. The views are beyond description and there is so much to see. A helicopter tour in Hawaii is an ideal way to see the islands' cliffs, forests, volcanic shape, beaches and craters. Before you take a helicopter tour, you should spend some time researching your options online. Here are tips to help you choose the best tour and enjoy it.

1. Make a Safe Choice - Choose a tour that advertises that they are certified as a FAA Part 135 Air Carrier, which means that the operator is subject to higher standards than general aviation operators.

2. Know the Seating Arrangement - Most helicopters used for touring have six passengers with a seating arrangement of two passengers in front and four in the back. That means that two people are going to be stuck in the middle seats in the back and with limited view. A-Star and Eco-Star type helicopters carry six passengers. The Eco-Stars are nicer than the A-Stars because they offer a little more room, less noise, and more window space. The Hughes 500 seats two passengers in the back and two in the front. When booking, request the front seats as they are the best, but bear in mind that seating will be based on the weight of you and your friend/partner.

3. Shop online for pricing. Most companies offer a big discount for booking directly with them.

4. Timing your Tour. If possible, try to book your tour on the first or second day of your trip so that you will gain a better orientation of the island. Late morning or early afternoon flights are best for limiting shadows and making the island's colors more brilliant.

5. Do's and Don'ts on the day of your tour: Do pay close attention to the safety instructions provided and don't hesitate to ask questions about them. Do wear dark clothing to minimize the glare on the windows. Do take motion sickness medication in advance. Do use high speed film for your camera. Don't wear earrings because they could get in the way of your headphones. Don't spend too much time looking at the scenery through tiny view of your camera.

Helicopter Tips

1 Reservations are very important to have. Helicopter tours are a very popular tourist activity, and the day you want to fly can easily be all booked up.

2 Fully understand your helicopter tour reservation cancellation policy before making your reservations.

3 You want your helicopter tour to be about an hour long, anything much less will seem to be too rushed.

4 Know for sure what island and what date you will be on that particular island before making your helicopter tour reservation.

5 Mornings are generally the best time to fly and you also have time for a later rescheduling if there is bad weather.

6 Bring cameras, binoculars, video cameras etc.

7 Contact your helicopter tour company that you have reservations with as soon as you can after your arrival in Hawaii.

8 Remember your helicopter tour does not have to include a fly by an active volcano to be an absolutely incredible experience.

9 No helicopter tour company will guarantee that you will be able to see active, red hot lava gushing volcano. You have to just except what the volcano has to offer on your particular helicopter flight day.

10 Don't worry if it is a little rainy during your helicopter flight day.

11 Make sure you get a picture of your group next to the helicopter and/or with your helicopter pilot.

12 Don't try to videotape or photograph every moment of the helicopter tour.

13 See if your helicopter company offers a video of your actual helicopter flight.

14 Videos of your helicopter tour are usually an extra cost.