PPRuNe Forums - Niagara Falls includes pics (And critique of technique)

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Niagara Falls - Helicopter info needed

Dear fellow rotorheads,

I am shortly going for a small trip to Canada and will want to visit Niagara Falls. Obviously the best way to see them is by Helicopter. :ok:

I have done a little research, and there are loads of companies down there. Which one should i go for? (Obviously trying to keep fellow rotorheads in business too :D )

PM me if you wish

Regards

MD :ok:

Growing up less than two hours from the falls, every time a relative from Europe came to visit , I'd get dragged up there. argh.

The Canadian side , is nicer, more attractions. Take the elevator under the falls. You can walk the tunnel out and get behind the falls.

The Maid of the mist, is cool, if you want to get wet.

Several neat walking view point along the rim.

Lots of places for the Mrs. to shop and spend $$.

I know the larger tour operator fly's 407's. I'd rather ride in that than be squished in a 206b

:ok:

RB

Niagra Helicopters on the Canadian Side runs a fairly new fleet of 407s. I've seen their operation and it looks quite professional.

http://www.niagara-helicopters.com/

I believe they used to be Niagara Heli-Air???

When I was a kid, I was rather obsessed with helicopters, and I kept writing Niagara Heli-Air numerous questions, and on one reply, they suggested I come out and go for a free ride, and as I lived an hour away, my folks drove me over. They were quite cool and I got quite a long ride, plus I got to hang out with the guys for the day. They were operating Bell 47s at the time, sometime in the mid-seventies. My first ride in a helo and I was hooked, I think I was around 10????

Geez, that seems like only a year ago, that would make you feel like about 11 or 12 now wouldn't it there old buddy? Oh, to be young at heart.....

CDN RH:D http://www.niagara-helicopters.com/

The best way to see the falls is Maid of the Mist. Save your money and forget the flight (sorry all you heli operators). Agree with the above, try to visit visit the Canadian side first as the USA side was a little tacky in my opinion.

Use the 407s - it's very professionally run, and you will see more. The USA operators appear to have absolutely little regard for low flying over buildings, etc. It's a nine minute trip outbound at 2500 feet, and back at 3000 - watch out for the Lancaster from Hamilton that occasionally goes to take a look - you might want to do a trip on that one too (I came round the corner and there it was - lovely sight). If you want to book something special, talk to Anna Pierce who istheie marketing lady - she will make sure the whole group stays together etc.

Phil

PM me. I have a mate with a JR at Stoney Ck and they can cut you a really great price.
...or you can spend a !!!!load and fly with Niagra Helicopters. They are self professed to be the best pilots in Canada.....:hmm:

Well, they are pretty good guys - :)

Phil

WOW guys, :ok:

Thanks for such a great response. This is what Pprune is all about. Everyone helping everyone.:ok:

Thanks to every one for your input here. It has been greatly appreciated :ok: :ok:

Regards

MD :O

I am just back from Canada having taken your advice on the flights thanks every one :ok:

Steve76

Dissapointed you never got back to me after the PM. Would surely have prefered to go with your guy in Stoney Creek, but alas, no joy there.

The rest of Pprune

Thanks for all your suggestions. i finally went with Niagara Helicopters. What a smooth operation they have there. up in a 407 for about 9-10 mins, but fantastic views. Needed to see the falls from the sea level point of view and did the Maid of the Mist too, Grrreat. Thanks to all of you who managed to give advice. I shal try and post some phots when i can get some server sorted out.

Many thanks guys, you really sorted it out for me :ok:

MD :O :ok:

MD. I sent you a PM.
Unfortunately I only today checked my PM's since I posted on this thread.

My sincere apologies as I fully intended to assist if I could. I've been a little distracted with summer here....

No excuse. Glad you had a good time regardless and perhaps if there is a next time I can assist in whatever way possible.

Steve

MD900

If you provide the pictures, we can provide the server.

Look forward to seeing them.
Let us know when you're ready to post.

Heliport

Photo's of Niagara Visit

Nice pics MD, any more of the falls?

Pic 4 " Practise Engine failure ...GO!"
Is this with fare paying pax?!!

Maybe it's just my old Lynx days coming back to haunt me!!!

Engine Off's.....

SS,

I have a load more of the falls and more helo's there. I will try and get them on as soon as possible.

Picture 4 was exactly as it looked. The pilot who did this, i believe was the Chief Pilot/Owner. I never got to speak to him personally, because the headsets in the machines did not have microphones. He was the only one that i watched that day who did this manoevre.

There was the Pilot onboard and 6 Fare Paying Pax too ;-)

The routine went along the lines of this:-

1. The helicopter was running hot on the heli-pad and the pax onboard were dis-emabrked.

2. The px to go onto the chopper were carefully selected so big groups could go by themselves and smaller groups shared.. The way it worked with me was...

3. My dear lady and I went up first. the marshaller took us up to the door and then we turned around for the photographer. She took a couple of pictures.

4. Then the marshaller showed us to our seats and helped us strap in. (Three point harness).

5. The next group came and did the same thing. Got photographed and then seated. Took about 5 mins for that to happen.

6. Into a 4 foot hover. Showed both sides of the helo to the photographer, so everyone got photographed. Then whilst he was manoevering around the heli-pad he did this move. At best i can just describe it as starting an aggressive transition and then stopping it, all within the heli-pad area.

7. At this point he started the pre-recorded message, and off we went. Everything happened as he flew over it. It must have been timed to perfection, because it was a complicated route and he showed both sides of the chopper the features below, so everyone could see what they were being shown....

8. The flight lasted about 11 mins and then it was back to the heli-pad for tea and medals.

9. Once landed the marshaller came out and helped us out of the chopper and then guided us to a seperate booth where all the photos had been developed and reay for us to buy at 25 C$. (the photos were 10x15's though) Really great quality.

10. then we were asked to exit throught the terminal building where we eneterd the facility, by the souvenir shop.

I hung around for a little while afterwards to take some photo's and see what was going on. It seemed that the pilot i flew with was the only guy who did this manoevere i have described and there were 5 helo's operational that morning, with one still on the hangar apron.

But, it seemed that there was about 1-3 mins between one taking off and landing. Smooth or what. Cool ride and i would recommend it anytime. The price of the ticket was 80 C$ as we got some sort of discount at the entrance.

So i hope that answers your question?

MD :ok:

CAD $80 per person (X 6 pass) for a 0.2 = Approx CAD $2,400 /Hr for a 407, Not a bad rate !
Even flying with 5 pass = CAD $2,000/Hr
The standard 407 charter rate in Canada is around CAD $1,600.

407,

You obviously are shocked by this :confused: :confused:

Can i ask what you charge for your heli trips into the mountains? and if there is a comparable rate? But hey when you pay with GBP£ , it pails into insignificance

I understand a man has to eat, but you seemed shocked here?

MD :sad:

Not totally shocked MD900, the per-seat sightseeing is always over the charter rate, but I never expected them to get $2,400/Hr. Good for them ! In many cases, ie Bus tours, they will have to pay up to 20% comissions on that rate, or up to $480/Hr. That knocks the rate down a tad.

As I mentioned, Our general charter rate is 1,600 plus fuel plus tax (or about 1,850).

Referring to picture 4, one day that guy's going to have an engine failure and he'll be wondering what hit him (the owner/ CP). I know the 407 has responsive rotor system, but ......

Also, did you notice that he almost clips the lights on the way out of the helipad and the end of the large hangar on the way in before flaring, so that his momentum will take him right into the new building when the engine stops? The reason he is the only person doing that is because everyone else ignores him - it is actually part of the training.

The irony is that all this rushing and pretending to be a "production pilot" makes the trip longer than it should be - if you take your time and fly properly, it takes 9 minutes, almost to the second.

The headsets, BTW, are hardwired into the MP3 player with the passenger briefings on

phil