Would You....

[Petit-Lion]

In helicopter rides business, when you do things right, you don't earn money. You just offset costs and build hours.

[ray]

In helicopter rides business, when you do things right, you don't earn money. You just offset costs and build hours.

 

That would come as news to a lot of tour operators.

[Phil Croucher]

Indeed it does. Done correctly, pleasure rides can provide the most revenue per flying hour.

 

Phil

[pilot5]

Phil

 

Little off subject, but mt brother in law just bought your book and I had a look too. :up: Really makes things much easier to understand as well as all round great information. Anybody learning about helicopters should get a copy. Well done Phil and worth every penny.

[Phil Croucher]

Aw, shucks... which one was it, the heli pilot's handbook or the pro pilot studies?

 

Phil

[Mark_]

I would not get in a machine with just anybody. Passengers approaching from behind just says to me that the operators are not very experienced. A well known operator that gives rides in 44s at the the Lethbridge airshow knows how it's done. They are very efficient at loading and unloading px, with 2-3 machines in the air all day. I went for a 15 minute ride with a lowtimer 2 years ago. It as 30 degrees and with 4 px in the machine I was a little leary at first but the flying was top notch.

 

Mark

[canukav8tor]

Don't all helo operators conducting sightseeing/famil rides commercially with paying passengers need an AOC, and comply with CAR Subpart 703/Std723? Emplaing/deplaning towards the t/r would be an indicator to me to do a 180 with the kids to go get ice cream and do something else.

 

Regards

AV8

[pilot5]

Both Phil!

 

Both great sources of information. Well done.

 

P5-

 

CP-OPS-PRM-GM- ABcdefg12345

[MMike]

Like I said, this was not a "site seeing operation". This was a couple of privately owned machines (the Enstrom just some local guy). You pays yer moeny, you takes yer chances... it appeared to me anyway.

 

I think referring to them as "tour operators" would be rather generous. This was a temporary (one day) set up. I have no doubt everyone only had the best of intentions. But...the road to **** and all that.........

[Mark_]

I would ask how many hours the pilot has on type before jumping in.

 

Mark