And our pilot Adam was super! - Alessandra Spallarossa. Get answers to your questions about Kauai. Never fly with doors again! But there are certainly other things you can ask such as the experience of your pilot for starters. Since 1980, Island Helicopters provides safe, exhilarating experiences designed for adventure-seekers and families alike. All rights reserved. To blame for this most is human error where the pilot smashed into a hill side or decided to pull a manoeuvre that resulted in a crash. What you may not know is that flying with Air Kauai is one of the safest things that you can do on Kauai! It was very informative. After dating for a couple of years, Curt proposed to Bonnie on a beach at sunset. I can't tell you which ones to avoid but I can tell you that Blue Hawaiian is top notch. Human error is the biggest cause with incidents in Hawaii as the pilot pulls a manoeuvre or carelessly proceeds on the tour in bad weather conditions. At the same time an FAA officer, on vacation in our concierge room joined in on the conversation and said that only a couple of years before, the FAA came in an grounded every operator for poorly maintained maintaince records. Call 808-246-4666 for more details, or book online now! Each time we watch the video with us in it we feel that we are on the flight all over again. Proof is in the Hawaii helicopter tour crash statistics that show eight incidents over the last ten years, to which twenty-two passengers survived out of a possible forty-three. You have to see the island like this. After registering, I can manage my newsletter subscriptions by visiting my Profile Settings page. Our pilot was the best!! I found this years ago, but they've not for some reason kept the site updated - the last time was Nov. 2011. http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/things-to- If we're referring to helicopter tours only, over the last decade there have been eight helicopter crashes in Hawaii. Curt personally selects and trains every one of their exceptional pilots, all of whom have excellent safety records and thousands of hours of flying experience. Note: These accident statistics are for helicopter tours only. The NTSB says the engine-to-transmission drive shaft failed in flight due to improper maintenance. And now, 40+ years and three children later, they continue to live and work on the island of Kauai and enjoy spending time with their four future pilots (grandchildren). As you flight is prepared, we can answer any questions you may have while you relax in our comfortable terminal. The safety, comfort and satisfaction of each customer are their main concerns. Personally I would suggest Jack Harter ( Kauai) with 'doors off' though. EXPERIENCE THRILLING VIEWS OF THE ENTIRE ISLAND, INCLUDING WAIMEA CANYON, JURASSIC FALLS, If I remember correctly the stats sure seemed to be saying that the frequency, per number of flights, was greater with tourist helicopter tours whether in Hawaii or in the Grand Canyon or elsewhere. At least this way the "take away" I got. We were also leary, but we checked this company out and it was wonderful. We will definitely be back! - Kim N, Wow! Here is one link that gives some info. Mauna Loa Helicopters has been offering private sightseeing tours over Kauai since 2006, and we recently expanded to offer tour operations from our island bases on Oahu and the Big Island. The last crash on Kauai happened in 2016, when a chopper touring the Na Pali Coast went down on a beach. They also have the best safety record in all of Hawaii. The following Hawaii helicopter crash statistics are provided by NSTB (National Transportation Safety Board). Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. All of Island Helicopters highly skilled professional pilots have thousands of hours, and numerous years of flying experience. I agree with Dennis. The new Times Square lacks excitement, flavor. our helicopters for the filming I think your question is a fair one and shouldn't be dismissed. The ride was so smooth and the music was great! Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. This is a must do to truly see and experience Kauai. Definitely recommend this experience and I think it's totally worth the price. Enjoy! That's not luck - it's the combined commitment of professional pilots and top Both the company and all of its pilots are FAA Certified Part 135. Well, all it took was that one crash and there goes that standing. i'm not sure who would have complete safety records, but maybe you could work backwards and find one you like, then search out their safety and accident records online. Copyright 2023 Island Helicopters Kauai, INC. Includes the Na Pali Coast, Hanalei Bay, Jurassic Falls by air, and more, Includes the Grand Skies Island Tour PLUS landing at the falls. Of the 17 previous crashes, meanwhile, eight happened on Oahu, five on the Big Island and two each on Kauai and Molokai, the records show. Jack Harter is definitely the best to do a helicopter tour in Kauai. What great fun this tour is! Harsh I know because without that Oahu is quite clean in terms of past accidents. So while human error is to blame for most helicopter tour accidents; outside of the tourism sector the research is more damning - for example private flights or training. of Jurassic Park. After being highlighted in the blockbuster movie, Manawaiopuna quickly gained the nickname, Jurassic Falls. Located deep in the lush Hanapepe Valley, air tours have been flying above the picturesque waterfall for decades, but access by foot had always been restricted to family and friends invited by the Robinsons. Thanks. I am a private pilot myself, and I would not spend even one second trying to investigate the safety record of any of the operators that are commercially operated. We are Kauai's only permitted company to land at a waterfall during a helicopter tour. Island Helicopters has been very involved with the movie industry, participating in the filming of such Hollywood movies as Jurassic Park, Tropic Thunder, Dragonfly, King Kong, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Six Days Seven Nights, and 50 First Dates, to name a few. I've labeled what helicopter type was involved in the crash but once again safety as improved on each model. I wouldnt worry about it. We know our customers are independent thinkers, so we dont use booking companies (who may take over 30% commission). Do not base your helicopter tour on which island has the best record, because as you can see, an accident can occur anywhere. Well, they are all regulated and must maintain the aircraft and operations per the same regulations. Seats up to 6 passengers (subject to weight limitations). The views are spectacular and youll see things you can only see from the air - Sightsee427772, Open door helicopter tour was amazing !! I would not hesitate to fly with them again. For the first time ever, visitors can now land at Manawaiopuna Falls and feel the awesome power of the waterfall made famous in Steven Spielbergs blockbuster movie Jurassic Park. At Air Kauai, the proof is in our record: over 25 years of perfect safety. Non touristy luaus on Maui, Oahu and Kauai. Having said that, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters more recent accident involving their popular Airbus EC130 did indeed crash for the first time, but it was without fatality. The most dangerous thing about flying is driving to the airport. Safety records are very good as to circle island tours on Kauai, and if a helo is Euphoria awaits. That is of course with years passing before a major or minor accident happens again. Amazingly, it took more than ten years to see an incident involving a helicopter tour on the Big Island, which thankfully resulted in minor injuries only. Hands down my favorite experience in Kauai, and Kauai was magical--so that's saying a lot! You won't be the only one doing so. We had a great time. All of the companys pilots and employees reside on Kauai with their families. Island Helicopters owners Curt and Bonnie Lofstedt employ a staff of 18 (on average), some of whom have been with the company for over 30 years! Walk the grounds of the magnificent setting of Jurassic Park with exclusive access from Island Helicopters. Is (where?) temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind), the company elects to fly doors-on. Because of this, tours are quiet, safe, climate-controlled, and provide spectacular views. I highly recommended. Bonnie would frequently hike the Na Pali Coast or Waimea Canyon with her campers, and at the end of the day, a chartered helicopter (Curt) would land and fly Bonnie and the campers back to camp. Did you know that fear of heights, also known as acrophobia, is the fifth top phobia in the United States? I'm assuming it would be the July issue? Blue Hawaiian definitely! Copyright 2023 Island Helicopters Kauai, INC. No tricks here! Pilot Adam and the safety crew are great. - Robert N, Incredible experience, excellent pilot Adam, friendly staff and a must do with doors off for unobstructed photos & video. - Huey, The most spectacular experience in Kauai. Maui themselves had two helicopter crashes - up to nine to ten years ago - but no one onboard survived. They truly are the best company, are very professional and our pilot Dave had a great sense of humor. https://www.helodays.com/are-helicopter-tours-safe-in-hawaii Do, you check the safety record of the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? All of Islands pilots and employees reside on Kauai with their families. Not even a competition., Both my partner and I were lost for words by how beautiful the tour was it has to be right up there with the greatest things weve done on vacation!, This was one of the most spectacular things I have done in my lifetime (50 yrs). Don't hesitate to book- amazing experience. They were right. WebEnjoy the beautiful scenery of Kauai. His experience dates back to high school, receiving his pilots license even before his drivers license. LL the number of accidents in helicopters in Hawaii is much higher than on commerical passenger planes. As family friends of the Robinson family, the falls private owners, Curt had landed at the base of Manawaiopuna before. Of the eight helicopter crashes in Hawaii over the past decade, forty-three passengers were onboard when a chopper went down. Home; Tours. What are good threads to read to help me plan my trip? Despite that, helicopter safety is a high standard in Hawaii so the helicopter type in use then, continues to be used today. In that incident the co-pilot passenger was forced to take controls which probably saved all those onboard. I just received my latest issue of Hawaii magazine and it has a great article on everything you want to know about these helicopters and these company's. Very professional, Awesome Perspective of the island. All incidents are reported there. Those crashes were responsible for eight fatalities. That actually kind of leveled the playing field on Kauai. Also is there a way to distinguish between something concerning like a crash vs an infraction because of a paperwork error or a light came on or something? Filming companies contact Island Helicopters first because of our years of experience and expertise in the industry. Our Kauai helicopter tour was, hands down, the best thing Ive ever done on my travels. This helicopter ride gave me goosebumps and just felt so surreal while we were up there. What started as a flight training school for helicopter pilots 22 years ago has blossomed into one of the more exclusive tour companies. When we researched the different companies, we found Jack Harter and Air Kauai(?) Island Helicopters Kauai, Inc. has been providing deluxe helicopter tours from the Lihue Airport longer than any other company. They made our trip to Kauai one to remember. We might be feeling a little smug here because there hasn't been a crash in some time now. Due to Kauais daily variable weather conditions (i.e. We did the Haleakela tour and bought the video of our flight and have not one regret. All rights reserved. As many are, we were a bit nervous going in a helicopter but our pilot Nicky Rotor was awesome at making everyone feel calm, safe and showed us an awesome time. I would recommend a helicopter ride to anybody since you can't see most of Kauai without it. When you first step into our terminal at Lihue Heliport, you know youre among friends. Weather Report says Rain, Should I panic? Why post such blatant lies and attempt to create unwarranted fear? Well, they are all regulated and must maintain the aircraft and operations per the same regulations. I would suggest that any of the reputable comp temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind), Island elects to fly doors-on. The following Hawaii helicopter crash statistics are provided by NSTB (National Transportation Safety Board). We had two people afraid of height's but they did fine, We did the doors off entire island tour. WebWe have been providing deluxe helicopter tours from the Lihue Airport longer than any company in Hawaii, over 42 years. No Hawaiian island is without its accidents involving helicopter tours as it can happen anywhere, with Hawaii being no different to anywhere else on earth. We have over 32 years of flying experience in the Hawaiian Island. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-86549356', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kauai. Ask for Miles. I wish the pilot would have slowed down around the waterfalls. Island Helicopters fleet of six-passenger, Airbus (formerly Eurocopter) AStar helicopters boast paramount viewing opportunities with custom ceiling-to-floor windows. Waialeales crater. Next up its Kauai with the two accidents with one of them resulting in all those on board losing there lives. I subscribe to Hawaii magazine and the issue I got just last week had an article on this. After setting down near the base of the 400-foot falls, your pilot will guide you along a jungle path adjacent to a stream to the bottom of the spectacular falls. Who else appears to be involved in a Hawaii crash over the last ten years is Airbus with their AS series helicopters. I just got back from Kauai and Maui and we took a helicopter ride in Kauai on Air Kauai and it seemed very safe. So as you can see as its not often flown in Hawaii for helicopter tours, naturally the stats show only the one accident involving the Jet Ranger 206. Copyright 2023 Island Helicopters Kauai, INC. That is where I am unable to get the reports of the accident or the investigation is still ongoing. WebLeadership in Hawaii Air-Tour Safety. $170 Cost per person It was 10 times better. Something to consider is that maintaining helicopters in the tropics is very expensive and time consuming. Magical. WebMauna Loa Helicopters has been offering private sightseeing tours over Kauai since 2006, and we recently expanded to offer tour operations from our island bases on Oahu and the Big Island. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-86535180', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car to get to the landing pad? This allows us to keep our rates so low. Rescuers pulled the group to shore, including a teen who later succumbed to his injuries. The remains of six of those on the chopper have been recovered. Curt has been flying aerial photography and support for over 40 years in Hawaii and is widely respected throughout the motion picture industry. Help me plan my trip subject to weight limitations ) companies ( may... 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