Vegas Helicopters.. Which one?

[rattlsnak]

Going to Vegas over New Years and want to take a GC tour but I see 2-3 different companies. Anybody recommend company and tour style one over the other?

I've been to Vegas and the GC countless times but have never done this tour and it is more aimed at my GF who has never seen the GC before.

[zedsdead]

My wife and I flew with Maverick's a few years ago on a GC tour. They had great equipment and were very professional. FYI - upgrade to the priority seating. If your going to do this, do it right and the front row seating (next to the pilot) is the place to be for an unobstructed view of the canyon.

[seanratpel]

I took "Papillon" the bright red ones with the wifie in june 2014. Seemed very professional also. Took the ride that landed on top of the ridge, (lunch & champagne) looking back, should've taken the one that lands down of floor of canyon.
One little tidbit, it gets kinda hairy when the guy was skirting the cliff face. I was Trying to put the hardazz face on but I might've crapped myself. $$ but worth it. There's been a few fatal wrecks but not for years, wouldn't worry now though.

[tevake]

See if you can check the safety record of each Co.
As a long time resident of Kauai. Where air tours are a very big thing there.

We have had an unusual number of serious crashes there.
I won't go into details about the one that came down about 75 yard from where I was working in the yard. Just four days after another crashed near the airport.

But these birds work a lot during busy season, you want to be on one that is well maintained.
You might request a senior pilot.

Cheers Richard

[peppy]

We used Mavericks also. Well worth the money, and yes sit up front.

[wdfifteen]

Do they still do the blimps? I took a blimp ride over the strip a few years ago and it was awesome!!

[KNS]

Originally Posted by seanratpel

I took "Papillon" the bright red ones with the wifie in june 2014. Seemed very professional also. Took the ride that landed on top of the ridge, (lunch & champagne) looking back, should've taken the one that lands down of floor of canyon.
One little tidbit, it gets kinda hairy when the guy was skirting the cliff face. I was Trying to put the hardazz face on but I might've crapped myself. $$ but worth it. There's been a few fatal wrecks but not for years, wouldn't worry now though.

I flew for Papillon about 20 years ago (on the South Rim). All the operators are good and have excellent maintenance - they have to be. The regulatory scrutiny they are under these days really forces them to keep their noses clean. I would get an older pilot if possible but many of them are on the younger side, if the pilot is hot-doggin he's out of line. Get a front seat and pay a little more for the enhanced tours.

[SCcaretaker]

Maverick, they have great equipment, can ensure everyone gets a front seat view for part of the ride, pilots are pretty much also your tour guide for the trip while airborne, and their shuttle takes care of the traffic from their executive airport location from pickup to dropoff at your location. A little spendy, but a great value compared to maintaining one of these rides...I am glad I did it, and the wife loved it!

[Steve Carlton]

Maverick, he's a hell of an instinctive pilot. Completely unpredictable. Flies by the seat of his pants.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

Maverick, he's a hell of an instinctive pilot. Completely unpredictable. Flies by the seat of his pants.

He got you.

I did the Papillon one and it was pretty awesome. I think I might also have crapped myself. I hate helos.

[rattlsnak]

ok, Maverick it is., booked!

[Steve Carlton]

[rattlsnak]

Just got back today. What a great trip. The peeps at Maverick were great and pilot was super cool guy. We talked a lot about the aviation industry and he answered my tons of questions about helicopters, but the tour itself was fantastic. And yes he played the Top Gun theme on the intercom as we took off up over the strip.. lol..