San Francisco

[John R81]

Off to SF for a few days next week, party of 4. Any recommendations for a company to provide sightseeing heli trip?

Email contact appreciated

Thanks

John

[puntosaurus]

Well, if you fancy something different, how about doing a seaplane tour/trial lesson, all the great views and the raw fun of touching down at 70mph on the water. It's ten years since I was there so I can't recommend anyone in particular, but I can thoroughly recommend the idea.

[Savoia]

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Yes, you are quite right Punto!

In the days I when I trotted about the bay for fun I had a friend who lived in Mill Valley and I wanted to collect him and his wife from close to their home. I had noticed a pad near the freeway so I dropped in (I think they were called Commodore or something - they had red helicopters) and asked if I could use their pad.

After much grumbling by the owner about visiting aircraft and additional movements I shoved a wad of bills in his hand and which action had the effecting of transforming his countenance from a furrow of frowns to a broad smile followed immediately by "when will you be landing?"

There was a delightful chap employed at the Mill Valley operation, 'Rusty', who flew the KGO radio ship. He became a good friend and on one of my visits I dropped into the Mill Valley pad and took him for a spin. He loved the Ecureuil so much that he came back to Oakland with me where he met the AstroCopters CP who ended-up offering him a job! I believe he flew with them for several years.

To bring the conversation full circle, the sea plane op was, as far as I recall, situated almost directly behind the Mill Valley helipad.

In addition to a night flight and a seaplane ride the other thing I would recommend (especially during the summer months) is a 'sparrow-fart' sortie on one of those days when the classic San Francisco fog blankets the bay. Stunningly beautiful!

http://www.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/green/2009/07/30/mn-fog06_ph25_0500269600.jpg

Sav

[Dan Reno]

I read somewhere the fishermen, boaters, wind surfers all complained about the seaplane and then post 911 fears almost squashed it. Still there though and Moffett field is running some aerial sight seeing tours also.

(As a sideline to this, when Marion Berry held sway there, fishermen also voiced concern due to the takeover of the Bay of non-native species such as trouser trout, suckers and blow fish. Mayor Berry incredibly said he'd look into it! Hopefully leadership has improved since his reign.)

[Gordy]

Used to work with John and Teri back in the 90's. Excellent business and service.

San Francisco Helitours (http://www.sfhelicoptertours.com/)

It was almost impossible to get permission to land at the old "Commodore" pad due to restrictions on the number of daily operations allowed.

[Dan Reno]

Too many Berrys/Barry/s and brain cell departures ago to be sure but it was hilarious...don't you think?

[fredsnow]

SF Helitours looks like a fun time.
uFKl9glKh00

[Gordy]

I stand to be corrected, however, based upon my knowledge of SFHelitours, this is NOT something they would do.

If you want to fly under the bridge, I suggest you find a less "reputable" company to fly with.

[fredsnow]

I could not believe it either. I was visiting San Francisco several years ago, riding a bicycle across the bridge when I see a red 407 heading for the bridge. All of a sudden the heli starts to dive and I knew he was heading under the bridge! Sure enough, that is what happened. I was amazed! Now I live here in San Francisco and I see this almost weekly.

To confirm it's SF Helitours I found another clip. Tour starts at 1:05, under bridge at 3:20.
-M0s0DajJxQ

[Savoia]

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Flying beneath the Golden Gate Bridge is not as thrilling as at first it may seem. Flying above the cable towers at night, that is different, you get a wonderful perspective of height as well as a unique view of the steel cables which used to be illuminated. Flying under the Bay Bridge, now that is different!

On my first visit to San Francisco I arranged to self-fly-hire an Astar from an outfit call AstroCopters at Oakland. Their Chief Pilot, a charming chap by the name Will Prater, took me on an induction flight during which, after pulling out of Oakland, we followed the waterway northwards and, as we approached the Bay Bridge, he proffered the question: 'Would you like to fly under or over the bridge?' After a brief exchange on the legalities and upon being informed that there was no restriction (this is late 80's) I replied: 'Well, I've never flown under a bridge before, so let's do that!'

On later visits I would repeat the experience including a nighttime 'underpass' which was most enjoyable!

Sav

ps: John, on your trip be sure to take a stoll down to Pier 49 and try out a bowl of San Francisco clam chowder served in sourdough - delicious!

http://www.traveltripz.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/sf-clam-chowder-at-boudins.jpg
San Franciscan Clam Chowder!

[Gordy]

Like I said:I stand to be corrected,

I stand corrected....I guess the business model has changed---back in the 90's they were not flying under it that I know of.

Yes, it is not illegal---in fact I have flown under it while flying for KRON the NBC affiliate.

Will Prater is still around flying for CalFire. And yes most Bay Area pilots have flown under all the bridges apart from the Dunbarton rail bridge as it is too low.

[61 Lafite]

I used Golden Gate Helicopters in October last year.

They had an R44 Clipper II, all pretty reasonable, and a professionally run organisation, did a long sightseeing trip all round the bay, could have gone under the bridge if wx hadn't been a problem.

Lafite

[John R81]

Emailed San Francisco Helicopter Tours beginning of the week but no response. Seems they arn't interested. Will try instead for seaplane

[MarcK]

If you don't mind piston Enstroms, try [email protected] (Welcome to Bay Helicoptours (http://www.bayhelicoptours.com)) out of San Carlos.

[flyitraftit]

For Golden Gate Helicopters...GREAT folks there.

[Savoia]

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https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DABXWYGKAks/TeR1U9i2dXI/AAAAAAAADTI/-wO-jdO-z9E/s720/206B%252520N647L%25252022%252520Apr%25252089%252520%252528R. %252520Scholefield%252529.jpg
The KGO 'radio ship' N647L which used to be operated by Commodore Helicopters out of the Mill Valley pad. This taken in April '89 in the days when I would regulaly visit SF. In '89 the KGO ship was frequently flown by my dear friend 'Rusty'.

S.