THE TOP 10 Hawaii Helicopter Tours (w/Prices) (2023)

FAQs

How much does it cost for a helicopter tour in Hawaii? ›

The price of a Maui helicopter trip varies from about $169.00 - $339.00 plus tax and fuel charge. With all fees included you are looking at $230.00-to $440.00. Prices are per person fee and there are no child rates, although infants 24 months and younger fly for free when they sit on the lap of an adult.

Typically, late morning or early in the afternoon are the best times to fly in Hawaii. Flying at those times will mean limited shadows and more brilliant colors with the sun overhead. The one exception to this rule may be on Kauai.

A: The short answer is yes. Helicopter tours are worth the money because of the amazing views you get to experience. From a bird's eye view, you can see waterfalls, valleys and iconic landmarks up close. You also get to see other beautiful landscapes that you can't see from the ground.

Is a Doors Off Helicopter Ride of the Nā Pali Coast Worth It? Yes, 100%. This was one of the best activities I have done in recent years. While I think a doors on ride would be great too, I definitely recommend the doors off helicopter Kauai flight if you have the opportunity to take one!

The best time to fly is from 8am - 11am. Mid-morning flights provide the best light and usually best weather conditions and fewer clouds.

The Robinson R44 is an ideal helicopter for tours, as it is known for smooth handling, reliability, safely and comfort.

A good tour helicopter pilot wears two hats. We subscribe to a simple (2 components) formula. Do we tip because the pilot flew the helicopter: Of course not...but we do tip when (as is almost always the case) the pilot's "tourguide" commentary added to the value of the experience.

Your flight will last for approximately 15 minutes.

The 6 mile flight will take around 5 minutes in total, so it's perfect for anyone who just wants a little taste of the high life - and with a minimum age limit of 12 years, it's a great introduction to helicopter flying for kids.

A helicopter that has all of the seats facing forward gives you the best view and it makes it easier to enjoy the sights with everyone else on your tour. Having a forward-facing seat also helps any passengers in your group who may struggle with motion sickness so that they can just sit back and enjoy the ride.

What time of day is best for a helicopter tour? ›

Any air travel is highly dependent on the weather. So you want the best and most conducive weather for your trip. Many pilots find that the winds are at their calmest during morning and evening hours.

Avoid wearing sandals or flip flops that might come off during the ride. It's also advised to put long hair into a ponytail or braid and avoid wearing loose jewelry.

Bumps or turbulence in helicopters are basically non-existent. Without getting into an aerodynamic lecture (as exciting as they are), a helicopter's response to light and medium turbulence is completely different to a plane.

Doors off helicopter rides have a lot more wind blowing through, and it can get very noisy. You'll also be exposed to the outside air, which can get very cold.

Several modern helicopters can even run for 50–100 hours without needing maintenance, although they will still need a daily inspection prior to flight.

Here is a pretty good article regarding tipping in Hawaii, and addresses Helicopter pilots specifically, stating that the standard is about $10 per person, for a 1 hour flight.

Wear solid dark-colored clothing. Our helicopters are temperature controlled so dress comfortably but wear dark clothing. This will cause less reflection in the windows to allow a clear view of all the sights.

Battle Tested. From the AH-64A in 1984 to today's AH-64E, one thing about the Apache hasn't changed: its reputation as the world's most advanced and proven attack helicopter.

The Soviet Union's Mil V-12 outstandingly had an empty weight of 152,339 lb and was built to carry 196 passengers. Today, it still holds the record of being the largest helicopter ever built.

What is the safest helicopter model? ›

Speaking at Heli-Expo in Atlanta, Head of Airbus Corporate Helicopters, Frederic Lemos, said: “The ACH160 is the most technologically advanced, comfortable and safest helicopter in the world and the Exclusive configuration beautifully complements its remarkable performance.

On a helicopter ride, it's best to wear dark-coloured clothing along with a light jacket, jeans, and closed-toe shoes. Riders shouldn't wear white or light-coloured clothing, open-toed shoes, loose-fitting clothes, loose accessories, or open-bottomed clothing like skirts and dresses.

There is a 300 lbs weight limit per seat with a combined weight of no more than 550 lbs for all passengers. We do weigh all passengers before getting on the helicopter! Why are there weight limits? All aircraft have factory set limits on weight, and it is against FAA regulations to exceed those limits.

To ensure safety around helicopters, never walk towards the rear of the helicopter. If you must access the other side of the helicopter, always walk in front –in view of the pilot.

On average, most helicopters fly at speeds between 75 and 150 miles per hour. Military helicopters are known to fly at much higher speeds than 150 miles per hour, with some of them clocking in at around 200 miles per hour.

Most helicopters are designed to fly around 2,5 hours with a full tank of fuel excluding reserves. In general, helicopters can fly between 500 km and 750 km on one tank of fuel.

Helicopters nowadays fly an average distance of anywhere between 250 to 400 miles on a single tank. There are, however, better-equipped helicopters, such as certain military helicopters, that can reach up to 1200 miles.

According to the report, helicopters cost approximately $9 per mile where eVTOL manufacturers are estimating their costs to be between around $3 per mile.

For instance, you'll likely wear a helmet, gloves, and a flight suit. Flight suits are designed to keep you warm while flying at high altitudes, and most flight suits are also flame retardant to protect your skin from burns in case of a fire.

How many people fit in a helicopter tour? ›

Helicopters are particularly popular for transporting between 1 and 8 passengers on short and medium distance flights for roadshows, tourist guides, gourmet getaways or weddings. With one or two turbines, depending on the model, these helicopters have classic or VIP cabins.

Answer: Traditionally, helicopter pilots sit on the right primarily because the cyclic stick, which controls the main rotor, is held in the right hand. Manipulation of the cyclic changes the helicopter's direction of movement along the lateral axis—forward, back, side to side.

Temperature rates drop by about 5 degrees per 1,0000 feet – but the wind can make it feel much cooler. Helicopters also have an internal temperature control system. Many helicopters will pull in heat from the engine to keep the cabin warmer when flying in cool temperatures.

Plan for the Perfect Photos

The afternoon hours between 1 to 3 p.m. are also ideal for giving you better aerial shots since the sunlight is directly overhead.

The biggest danger to winter weather flying for helicopter air ambulances is freezing precipitation or icing. Icing conditions in flight must always be avoided. When ice forms on rotor blades or airplane wings, they lose their ability to provide lift, and the aircraft can no longer maintain flight.

How much does a helicopter cost upfront? Helicopters are painfully expensive, even for the upper class. If you want to buy a helicopter, then you will have to spend at least $250,000, and that's for a lower-end model. As of 2022, the average cost of a helicopter sits at around $1.971 million.

Doors-off Flights:

No hats, scarfs, or loose items are allowed in the aircraft cabin. Please wear closed-toe shoes. Flip-flops and shoes with open backs are not allowed.

The passengers must be sure that their luggage is in line with the specifications of each helicopter. If baggage is to be carried on a flight, our staff should be notified of the expected size, weight and number of bags (preferably medium size soft suitcases). This will help avoid inconveniences on the flight.

Alternatively, you can experience a helicopter flight from the passenger's seat. Many tour companies offer reasonable pricing for pre-set routes, or you can rent a private helicopter to take you anywhere you want to go. The average cost for an hour in a two-seat helicopter with a pilot is approximately $300.

Here is a pretty good article regarding tipping in Hawaii, and addresses Helicopter pilots specifically, stating that the standard is about $10 per person, for a 1 hour flight.

Do you tip helicopter tour pilot Hawaii? ›

A good tour helicopter pilot wears two hats. We subscribe to a simple (2 components) formula. Do we tip because the pilot flew the helicopter: Of course not...but we do tip when (as is almost always the case) the pilot's "tourguide" commentary added to the value of the experience.

Circle of Fire Helicopter Tour from Hilo

During this 45-minute long tour taking off from Hilo, you will fly over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You will enjoy an aerial perspective of the Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes and stunning views of Earth's most geologically active environment.

You should allow approximately 20 minutes for the whole experience. The flights will last approximately 8 minutes in total.

Most helicopters are designed to fly around 2,5 hours with a full tank of fuel excluding reserves. In general, helicopters can fly between 500 km and 750 km on one tank of fuel.

That will depend on the type of operation the helicopter is conducting and what equipment it is carrying. It also varies depending on the type of flying involved, e.g. hovering on a hot summer day will take more fuel than slow orbits. Each helicopter has a maximum endurance of approx two hours.

Located in the South Pacific, where on many islands tipping is not required, Hawaii is a U.S. state and you should tip just like you would anywhere else in the United States.

How much does a Pilot make at Hawaiian Airlines in the United States? Average Hawaiian Airlines Pilot weekly pay in the United States is approximately $1,440, which is 97% above the national average.

They're largely dependent on tips for a living. While you might be inclined to tip higher if you've received exceptional service, it's essential and only fair to tip a minimum amount so that your guide can continue making a living from their job.

Should I Expect Any Flight Turbulence? Bumps or turbulence in helicopters are basically non-existent. Without getting into an aerodynamic lecture (as exciting as they are), a helicopter's response to light and medium turbulence is completely different to a plane.