Nr Fairy
If I remember corrctly, El Segundo is near LAX.
Things I'd highly recommend which are not too far away from where you'll be staying are:
(1) A visit to the Robinson factory at Torrance. Best to book in advance if possible.
(2) Flying over LA with one of the radio station helicopters.
'Commander' Chuck Street is based at Fullerton, about an hour's drive from you. He charges about 100$ per hour, and there's a choice of the morning flight (3 hrs, 6-9am) or afternoon flight (2 hrs, 3-5pm). Fullerton airfield is not far from Disneyland and Nott's Berry Farm if you're taking children! Chuck is a qualified pilot and will let you fly (supervised) even if you don't have a JetRanger rating.
Click
Commander Chuck's website
He gets very heavily booked, but worth a try. If he can't take you, there's another place at Van Nuys which does the same thing.
Because insurance costs are very high, SFH in the States is not as readily available as here, but not impossible if you establish/prove yourself with a school.
If you fly with an instructor, make sure you get to the rooftop Helipad at LAX.
It's an interesting approach, and even more interesting departure - very low level to the ocean before climbing!
Also make sure you get to fly down the coast low level. Fantastic fun - and Americans (unlike the Brits) don't complain when they see low-flying helicopters.
If you've got a few hours to spare, it's well worth flying all the way down to San Diego - one of the most beautiful ocean fronts in the world.
Route out to Point Loma (you'll need to speak to the military - be prepared to wait) and then across the bay (speak to San Diego International)
Have fun!
PS
We'll get that Gazelle trip arranged one of these days!
[ 16 November 2001: Message edited by: Flying Lawyer ]