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Helicopters - Along with fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters are notably popular attractions in the Air Tour sector. Helicopters provide the ‘low & slow’ capabilities that a fixedwing aircraft cannot provide. Plus, it’s probably the first time for someone to have the chance to fly in a helicopter. Additionally, helicopters can provide the unique means to take tourists to unique locations like the bottom of the Grand Canyon for a lovely afternoon picnic. When it comes to the types of helicopters primarily used, most tour providers operate light-lift aircraft followed by medium-lift platforms with plenty of space and visibility for passengers. Here’s a shortlist of several Aerial Tour operators and the type of helicopters that will thrill you: • Celebrity Helicopters, Los Angeles, USA — Airbus H125, Bell 206 Jet Ranger, Bell 412 • Helicopter Tour Dubai, Dubai, UAE — Airbus H130, Augusta H109 • Volcano Heli, Iceland — Robinson R-44
Based on this, you’ll see Aerial Tour providers focus on vast scenic locations or highdemand sightseeing locations with fixed-wing aircraft such as:
Gyrocopter (Gyroplane, Autogyro) – Not used at the same level as fixed-wing and helicopters, gyrocopter flight tours can be found easily in all corners of the world. Gyrocopters provide a low-cost option for both tour providers and tourists. Even though gyrocopters don’t fly like helicopters, they are just as exciting and safe.
• Airventures Alaska, USA — Cessna 185 Skywagon (Floats, Bush Wheels, & Skis) • Antarctica Flights (Captain’s Choice Pty. Ltd), Australia — Boeing 787 Dreamliner • Aerial Collective, Duxford, U.K. — Spitfire T.IX, Me-109, P-51D, Lysander, Blenheim MK1
They also provide the thrill of flying ‘low & slow’ from an open cockpit or under a glass bubble canopy, which is still a great adventure. If you’re interested in such a flight, look at firms such as:
Gliders — Even though the glider or sailplane doesn’t have the flying capabilities of other powered aircraft (passenger capacity, etc.) gliders are still a popular tour with many tourists who want to ‘soar like a bird’ without all the noise. Like the powered aircraft Air Tour sector, many glider operators provide scenic and even aerobatic rides over cities, historical sites, and even geological locations like volcanoes.
• IntoTheBlue, Manchester Gyrocopter Tours, UK — Open cockpit M.T.O. Sport or closed cockpit Magni M24 • Adventure Flights, Costa Rica — E.L.A. Eclipse E.V.O.
Unlike the powered aircraft tour sector, travel agencies organise these excursions while freelance commercial glider pilots or soaring clubs provide the flight. Here’s a sample of some of the types of providers who’ll get you flying as soon as possible with a quick auto-tow or bungee-launch: • Virgin Experience Gifts — The type of tour and glider is almost endless. It depends on what you want. Just don’t forget about the ‘Things to Think About Before You Fly!’ section of this article. • Aero Club Adele Orsi Calcinate, Italy — Schempp Hirth Duo Discus, D-9828 • Honolulu Soaring, Hawaii, USA — ASK-21, S.G.S. 2-32 Lighter-than-Air (LTA) — Even before the Wright Brothers took their first flight, LTAs were already providing scenic tours by air. Today, balloon rides are still very popular and available worldwide and probably available in your area. But, like gliders, LTAs provide a simpler, quieter, and natural sense of floating effortlessly… plus, eating and drinking ‘Hors d’Oeuvres’ without turbulence. So, if you like it slower, lower, and a bit more romantic, here are some unique balloon tour providers around the world for a taste: • Hot Air Balloon Expeditions — Classic Style Passenger Riding Hot Air Balloons (Heavy-lift burners and enlarged baskets for up to 28-32 passengers) • Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei GmbH — ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Zeppelin NT
Single Engine & Twin Engine Fixed-Wing Aircraft – Before helicopters came into their own, the use of fixed-wing aircraft dominated aerial sightseeing tours since the 1920s. To this day, fixed-wing aircraft allow for longer flight times and incur lower running operating costs regarding ROI (Return-on-Investment) when it comes to specific tours. Additionally, fixed-wing aircraft are best suited for long-distance remote adventures, high and quiet wildlife tours, and large groups touring or transporting.
Unmanned Aircraft — Last but not least, the unmanned aircraft or ‘Drone’ aviation community, like other Aerial Work aviation sectors, are quickly entering the Aerial Tour sector with innovative ways to bring the same thrilling experience of seeing the world from the sky. One example of this innovation is an Air Tour provider or ‘Aerial Immersion Sightseeing Tour Operator’ in Montreal, Canada providing real-time virtual scenic flights. They use drones flown by professional pilots on-the-spot around the city to show spectacular sights while narrating the history of specific iconic areas. They do this by providing a steady stream of live imagery to the tourist through highresolution First-Person View (FPV) goggles. All the while, passengers are offered a 360-degree immersion experience while their feet are firmly planted on the ground, i.e., an excellent opportunity for elderly or less able-bodied tourists.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank You For Flying With ‘Air Tour’!”
It’s that time, as with any fun vacation or exciting adventure, all good things must come to an end, and sadly we must all go back to the ‘real world’. As you can see, Aerial Tours is not one type of aircraft or one type of experience. Instead, this Aerial Work aviation sector consists of many different non-transport flying excursions ranging from charity sightseeing to fishing adventures, onboard many unique platforms. All of which comes together to provide people with a ‘thrill of a lifetime’ or, in some cases , a ‘once-in-a-lifetime experience’. So, when your magic carpet comes to its final parking place on any Aerial Tour event, and you walk away astonished, happy, and emotionally affected by what you observed or experienced – that’s ‘Mission Accomplished’ by the Aerial Work — Aerial Tour sector. The next time you take your family on vacation, think about booking an aerial tour to maximise and expand your perspective of the world. Without the world of Aerial Tour providers, life would be far less interesting (or dare I say “Boring”!) ■ 48 AERIAL WORK EUROPE APRIL 2022
See all of our Multi-Mission articles at our online Multi-Mission Aircraft Hub: www.avbuyer.com/articles/multi-mission-aircraft-hub
