R44 Rental - Las Vegas
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R44 Rental - Las Vegas
I did a bit of a search and the information seems to be a bit out of date. I will be on holidays in Las Vegas at the beginning of January 2010 and I am looking to rent an R44 with an instructor for a couple of hours of a jolly to maybe Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon and the like.
Can anyone recommend any companies or personal experiences?
Cheers.
Can anyone recommend any companies or personal experiences?
Cheers.
airbourne
I did this a couple of years ago - you won't be able to fly down the Grand Canyon as this is restricted to approved flights only, but you can do the hoover dam, fly around the stratosphere hotel, down the strip, etc. They used Astras when i was there.
Leading Edge Rotorcarft
1100 Airport Road
Boulder City
NV 89005
+1 (702) 293 0422
TTB
I did this a couple of years ago - you won't be able to fly down the Grand Canyon as this is restricted to approved flights only, but you can do the hoover dam, fly around the stratosphere hotel, down the strip, etc. They used Astras when i was there.
Leading Edge Rotorcarft
1100 Airport Road
Boulder City
NV 89005
+1 (702) 293 0422
TTB
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$450/hr wet with safety pilot/instructor is the cheapest I’ve seen anywhere in US for R44s so $500 is not too far off the mark. Also, you don’t really have the choice to self-fly hire R44s in most of the US. Everyone will give you a R22, but as most R44s are on the Robinson/Pathfinder offhshore insurance scheme (a BVI company) which has an incredibly high deductible (I’m told $80K) virtually no one will give you a R44 for SFH.
My result was I only found 1 in the whole state of Florida (cost me $400/hr) and when I tried the same around Los Angeles, I called 9 different FBOs and all would give me a R22, but none a R44 without safety pilot.
Please post your result, as I’d be interested in doing some flying around Las Vegas myself.
My result was I only found 1 in the whole state of Florida (cost me $400/hr) and when I tried the same around Los Angeles, I called 9 different FBOs and all would give me a R22, but none a R44 without safety pilot.
Please post your result, as I’d be interested in doing some flying around Las Vegas myself.
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Does anyone actually read the posts at all? Im not looking for SFH. PPL with 60 hours, im not that stupid to think that I can go off flying on my todd in some very busy airspace around Las Vegas.
I might just have to go back to the other side. I have 55 hours in a cessna 172.
I might just have to go back to the other side. I have 55 hours in a cessna 172.
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There are a couple of R44s flying out of either N. Las Vegas airport or Boulder City (not sure of the company names).
Most of the area is pretty easy to fly around especially if you are with an instructor/safety pilot familiar with the area and ATC.
You can fly over the canyon but you'll be minimum 8000'+ dependant on what sector you are in. As for going IN TO.. will not happen due to special regs pertaining to the SFAR.
Good luck with your hunt and enjoy your trip.
Most of the area is pretty easy to fly around especially if you are with an instructor/safety pilot familiar with the area and ATC.
You can fly over the canyon but you'll be minimum 8000'+ dependant on what sector you are in. As for going IN TO.. will not happen due to special regs pertaining to the SFAR.
Good luck with your hunt and enjoy your trip.
Try Sirius at Palo Alto. I doubt that they'll check you out for SFH in three days but they'll certainly do dual. There are quite a few places in the Bay Area that have R44s, google is your friend to find others.
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I have been looking into this and it seems to be a whole lot of hassle for the sake of 1 or 2 hours. Spoke to a nice guy in Monarch Sky and got this......
If you want to fly N-registered airplanes (U.S. registered), you can easily validate your foreign private pilot license into an American one issued by the FAA. As compared to the European validation procedure, the American one is simple. It’s only a matter of paperwork. See the respective 14 CFR 61.75 regulation (Private pilot certificate issued on the basis of a foreign pilot license) for complete details.
The simplicity sits in the fact that you do not need any extra flight tests, paper or exams, you do not need an extra medical certificate and the procedure is free of charge. All restrictions applicable on your foreign license do apply of course.
First, you should submit your data to the FAA via their website. Then you get a letter stating that the FAA is investigating the validity of your foreign pilot license. They therefore contact the foreign CAA. Once they get confirmation, you get an invitation letter for you to go to a local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) . There is one in Las Vegas. Usually, you must visit one in the USA. At the FSDO (you need an appointment), you just show up with all relevant paperwork, and if all goes well you get a temporary pilot certificate (valid for 6 months) on the spot!
I had a look at the forms and all that and it seems way to much hassle and paperwork to go through to go flying for a couple of hours. I havnt had this hassle in the past in florida, or even the last time I was in Vegas in 2003.
Can anyone shed anymore light on this for me?
If you want to fly N-registered airplanes (U.S. registered), you can easily validate your foreign private pilot license into an American one issued by the FAA. As compared to the European validation procedure, the American one is simple. It’s only a matter of paperwork. See the respective 14 CFR 61.75 regulation (Private pilot certificate issued on the basis of a foreign pilot license) for complete details.
The simplicity sits in the fact that you do not need any extra flight tests, paper or exams, you do not need an extra medical certificate and the procedure is free of charge. All restrictions applicable on your foreign license do apply of course.
First, you should submit your data to the FAA via their website. Then you get a letter stating that the FAA is investigating the validity of your foreign pilot license. They therefore contact the foreign CAA. Once they get confirmation, you get an invitation letter for you to go to a local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) . There is one in Las Vegas. Usually, you must visit one in the USA. At the FSDO (you need an appointment), you just show up with all relevant paperwork, and if all goes well you get a temporary pilot certificate (valid for 6 months) on the spot!
I had a look at the forms and all that and it seems way to much hassle and paperwork to go through to go flying for a couple of hours. I havnt had this hassle in the past in florida, or even the last time I was in Vegas in 2003.
Can anyone shed anymore light on this for me?
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If you just want to fly for a few hours, and the validation is not worth the effort, just fly dual.
Even with a validation, each operator is going to want to fly a few hours with you, and get you through their insurance procedures before (and assuming their insurance allows them) they will let you SFH on your own.
In addition to the above, the currency (operator check ride/emergency procedures review) requirements will probably mean you need to do ongoing dual regardless.
There are some exceptions if you have greater than 1500 hours, and approximately 500 hours on type, some insurance policies have a "qualified pilot" designation, though this is insurance policy specific.
Even with a validation, each operator is going to want to fly a few hours with you, and get you through their insurance procedures before (and assuming their insurance allows them) they will let you SFH on your own.
In addition to the above, the currency (operator check ride/emergency procedures review) requirements will probably mean you need to do ongoing dual regardless.
There are some exceptions if you have greater than 1500 hours, and approximately 500 hours on type, some insurance policies have a "qualified pilot" designation, though this is insurance policy specific.
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The temporary certificate is valid for 120 days, although your 'plastic' one should arrive well within that time frame.
Secondly, before being able to exercise the privileges of your new certificate you must have completed a flight review with an authorized instructor.
Once that is complete then off you go.............
Secondly, before being able to exercise the privileges of your new certificate you must have completed a flight review with an authorized instructor.
Once that is complete then off you go.............
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Birddog,
I appreciate what you are saying to me but let it me be very clear in what I want, because nobody is actually reading what I am looking for.
I do not want SFH
I want an instructor
I want about 2 hours flying time so that I can fly over Vegas, Hoover Dam, and Grand Canyon. 3 pax. Me, instructor, and girlfriend in the back, thats it!
I have about 60 hours in a 44, one thing I am definatly NOT ready for is SFH in airspace that is alien to me.
I appreciate what you are saying to me but let it me be very clear in what I want, because nobody is actually reading what I am looking for.
I do not want SFH
I want an instructor
I want about 2 hours flying time so that I can fly over Vegas, Hoover Dam, and Grand Canyon. 3 pax. Me, instructor, and girlfriend in the back, thats it!
I have about 60 hours in a 44, one thing I am definatly NOT ready for is SFH in airspace that is alien to me.
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airbourne, gotcha.
On a side note, if when you speak to operators... they mention TSA clearance you don't need TSA approval as you would be operating under the foreign license.
In the US, all "training" flights by aliens requires TSA approval, unless it is for a flight/training in the same category and class for which you already hold an ICAO license.
(In rotorcraft case, anything under 12,500lbs).
The above strictly refers to TSA requirements, not FAA.
On a side note, if when you speak to operators... they mention TSA clearance you don't need TSA approval as you would be operating under the foreign license.
In the US, all "training" flights by aliens requires TSA approval, unless it is for a flight/training in the same category and class for which you already hold an ICAO license.
(In rotorcraft case, anything under 12,500lbs).
The above strictly refers to TSA requirements, not FAA.
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The people on here are pretty knowledgeable. Generally you can ask a question and within an hour you have an answer and your problem is solved. However, in your case you repeatedly berate others on the thread as not answering your query to your satisfaction. People have made the effort to login and type a reply and you’re bitching about the detail in their replies; I’ve never seen another thread where this has been done.
While you’re being succinct about your needs, why don’t you phrase your queries to be better understood? To other pilots “Hire a Helicopter” means just that – hire a helicopter which is SFH. If you don’t trust your own skills/training either go back for lessons or phrase your query to include the words “DUAL” or “SAFETY PILOT” which we all know as meaning to have another pilot sitting next to you.
From your number-of-posts to flying hours ratio, I can assume this isn’t the first time you’ve wasted other peoples time.
Oh, and I love your comment “alien airspace”?? It’s California not Kazakhstan!
While you’re being succinct about your needs, why don’t you phrase your queries to be better understood? To other pilots “Hire a Helicopter” means just that – hire a helicopter which is SFH. If you don’t trust your own skills/training either go back for lessons or phrase your query to include the words “DUAL” or “SAFETY PILOT” which we all know as meaning to have another pilot sitting next to you.
From your number-of-posts to flying hours ratio, I can assume this isn’t the first time you’ve wasted other peoples time.
Oh, and I love your comment “alien airspace”?? It’s California not Kazakhstan!
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RMK,
Let deal with that why dont we: My first post on this thread was ......I will be on holidays in Las Vegas at the beginning of January 2010 and I am looking to rent an R44 with an instructor for a couple of hours
Does that mention SFH? NO!
Does it say I want an instructor? YES!
Does it say that I am just looking for a couple of hours? YES
So in my mind, it looks simple and straightforward to me. A lot of the replies came from people talking about SFH, and not once did I say that I was looking for that, rather that I did want an instructor.
"From your number-of-posts to flying hours ratio, I can assume this isn’t the first time you’ve wasted other peoples time."
Attack the post, not the poster. I have been a member of PPrune for nearly 10 years and have contributed to PPrune as well. You do not know me, that is because you are here a wet week with a handful of posts.
Not that it matters but I used to have a lot more posts but in some major re-do of the site a few years ago I lost all my posts and had to start again.
The quotes that I had were all around the $500 mark, as per your last reply. I have been trying to find something else, and that is why I keep asking.
Finally, as a fairly new heli pilot, I consider ANYWHERE that is not within the 50 miles or so that I train to be ALIEN airspace. Back in my fixed wing days in 2003, I took a C172 with an instructor out of North Las Vegas to Grand Canyon etc and that was a new experience. When I get a few more hours, and more experience, then maybe I will leave the comfort zone that is the north east of england.
Incidentally, its Nevada, not California!!!
Let deal with that why dont we: My first post on this thread was ......I will be on holidays in Las Vegas at the beginning of January 2010 and I am looking to rent an R44 with an instructor for a couple of hours
Does that mention SFH? NO!
Does it say I want an instructor? YES!
Does it say that I am just looking for a couple of hours? YES
So in my mind, it looks simple and straightforward to me. A lot of the replies came from people talking about SFH, and not once did I say that I was looking for that, rather that I did want an instructor.
"From your number-of-posts to flying hours ratio, I can assume this isn’t the first time you’ve wasted other peoples time."
Attack the post, not the poster. I have been a member of PPrune for nearly 10 years and have contributed to PPrune as well. You do not know me, that is because you are here a wet week with a handful of posts.
Not that it matters but I used to have a lot more posts but in some major re-do of the site a few years ago I lost all my posts and had to start again.
The quotes that I had were all around the $500 mark, as per your last reply. I have been trying to find something else, and that is why I keep asking.
Finally, as a fairly new heli pilot, I consider ANYWHERE that is not within the 50 miles or so that I train to be ALIEN airspace. Back in my fixed wing days in 2003, I took a C172 with an instructor out of North Las Vegas to Grand Canyon etc and that was a new experience. When I get a few more hours, and more experience, then maybe I will leave the comfort zone that is the north east of england.
Incidentally, its Nevada, not California!!!
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His (Airbourne's) last post before moaning again was "I am going to add San Francisco to the mix" - which is in California. Ahh... a knowledge of geography is also available here; you see Airbourne, these guys are great.
I've had PPL(H) since 2006, have 150+ hours helicopter PIC and have flown helis in multiple countries on three differing continents. I'm by no means a long-time "pro sky jock" like many on here, but don't be mislead by my PPrune joining date in your wet reference.
Your timidity seems juxtaposed with that of all the great Irish adventurers/explorers... oh I'm sorry their aren't any
- no offense to any Irish PPruners, I'm just winding Airbourne up further
I've had PPL(H) since 2006, have 150+ hours helicopter PIC and have flown helis in multiple countries on three differing continents. I'm by no means a long-time "pro sky jock" like many on here, but don't be mislead by my PPrune joining date in your wet reference.
Your timidity seems juxtaposed with that of all the great Irish adventurers/explorers... oh I'm sorry their aren't any
- no offense to any Irish PPruners, I'm just winding Airbourne up further
Airborne,
To answer your question---this is relatively easy, especially if you are not looking to use the flight time towards the hours requirements for a certificate or rating. Why don't you just send an e-mail or call Vegas Air Service. Ask for Josh, the owner, he will be happy to help you. (He is a friend of mine---let him know I sent you).
I have no affiliation with his company---He flew with me to log some hours a few years ago when I was ferrying an aircraft across the country for a contract.
Or feel free to PM me and I can introduce you.
Edited to add: He needs to update his website---I believe he has an R-44 or jetranger also now.
To answer your question---this is relatively easy, especially if you are not looking to use the flight time towards the hours requirements for a certificate or rating. Why don't you just send an e-mail or call Vegas Air Service. Ask for Josh, the owner, he will be happy to help you. (He is a friend of mine---let him know I sent you).
I have no affiliation with his company---He flew with me to log some hours a few years ago when I was ferrying an aircraft across the country for a contract.
Or feel free to PM me and I can introduce you.
Edited to add: He needs to update his website---I believe he has an R-44 or jetranger also now.
Last edited by Gordy; 29th Oct 2009 at 19:03. Reason: Adding more info
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