Introductory Demo Flights in Los Angeles

I FLEW A R22 HELICOPTER

San Diego, CA
10/9/2018

… and almost sh!t my pants. How can I capture the feels and translate it with words? I simple can’t. But I can try! How many people do you know that can say that? Probably not a lot. Every year for my birthday I knock off a bucket list item. Mind you, I do extreme things. And many of friends say that I do the most randomest and adventurous things that they can’t keep up with me. I’ve done many things but one thing I haven’t done was FLY A HELICOPTER.

WHO: Me, WHAT: mission to fly a helicopter, WHEN: end of July, WHERE: Long Beach, WHY: Birthday bucket list present

PRE-FLIGHT

I didn’t know what to expect. I arrive at the airfield and waited in a building lobby until my instructor, Sarah, came to get me. We drove a mini cart around the airways and into the Anthelion hangers with maybe five helicopters grounded around the hangers. Inside the hanger we spent 10-15 minutes on the simulator (which didn’t even work) and going over rules and safety. Shortly after I was given my helmet and escorted to the R22 Helicopter. I hoped in the right side with the option of door or no-door, the door was already off so I guess I was flying with NO DOOR. I was blown the f* away sitting in a helicopter for the very first time. We then tested our communication and microphones and then we were ready.

THE LESSON

We started to take off and I started to feel a little queasy. The R22 is a small two seater helicopter and every movement is felt 10x more. I had no door so looking down was very scary. I took control of the helicopter as my instructor guided me. I am a person who loves adrenaline rushes and thrills but this task was nerve wrecking. You have to focus on THREE controls: Throttle, cyclic, and pedals… and focus on maneuvering the helicopter. Any inch made on any of the controls is sensitive and can be felt dramatically in the air. My instructor was surprised how well I was doing – I guess it helps being sailing certified, I understand the wind. For the record, yes you can bring your phone for pictures and videos. We helicoptered around the marina, downtown, kinda the beaches, and then back to the airfield for landing.

SO EXHILARATING

Did I just fly a helicopter? I sure did. Logged my first flight, 0.3HRS. And I received a certificate for proof! This got my heart racing and my mind thinking, should I consider getting a flying license?! Hmmm! JABA APPROVED. Until the next review…

Jane A | Yelp

Best Time!

3 years ago

We had been on a ride with this company before but decided to come back for our 9 year old to have a fun, introductory flight lesson. What a great experience! The staff was professional, informative, and so easy to talk to, and we’ll definitely be back.

Both of our flights were smooth and enjoyable, and our daughter’s lesson was easy, no pressure, and exactly the experience we wanted for her. She was a little timid at first, but they were very reassuring, and she absolutely loved it.

Can’t wait to come back for a tour with my husband and another lesson for our daughter!

J Autin | Google Review