With their helicopters distinctive windows, Islands tours provide passengers with the best views, in an AStars quiet and safe, climate-controlled environment. Of the eight helicopter crashes in Hawaii over the past decade, forty-three passengers were onboard when a chopper went down. She said that her father was the chief of police on Kauai and even he doesn't care to fly in the very well maintained government helicopters. BOOK AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE WITH THE ONES YOU LOVE (AND NO ONE ELSE). A family of four from Canada was on board. If you only do one thing in Kauai, make it this! Example of that is where the helicopter as been known to hit hill sides or the time a pilot passed out mid flight. The safety, comfort, and satisfaction of each customer are the main concerns. After he attended college in Oregon, Curt flew helicopters in Vietnam, then for the construction of the Alaska Pipeline, and finally on to Hawaii for tours. The NTSB says the engine-to-transmission drive shaft failed in flight due to improper maintenance. I know that Air Kauai has never had a crash but I didn't check on the pilot since you don't know until you check in who your pilot is. 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. 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. Great communication from the company. 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). I know there have been crashes, injuries, deaths with certain helicopter operators. Don't hesitate to book- amazing experience. We would be happy to answer any questions and put your mind at ease! Definitely recommend this experience and I think it's totally worth the price. In April, a Robinson R-44 went down in Kailua, killing the pilot and his two passengers. Do not base your helicopter tour on which island has the best record, because as you can see, an accident can occur anywhere. What you may not know is that flying with Air Kauai is one of the safest things that you can do on Kauai! Should I split my stay between 2 locations on Kauai? Did you see Todays Groupon for world resorts international? I am not saying to not book with an operator who fly the R44, as the helicopter is still a reliable machine. This is a must do. No Chinon that's completely incorrect. I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. HONOLULU (AP) The National Transportation Safety Board released an research document Wednesday on a With the majority of this picturesque island unreachable by car, a helicopter tour is the most ecologically friendly way to see one of the most beautiful places in the world in its entirety. Kauai is home to so many romantic restaurants with delicious menu items and beautiful views. Personally I would suggest Jack Harter ( Kauai) with 'doors off' though. He had experienced the power of this unique natural landmark and knew it would be exactly what producers were looking for. FAMILY-OWNED AND OPERATED FOR OVER 40 YEARS, OUR MISSION IS TO SHOW VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD THE SPLENDOR OF KAUAI. I agree with Dennis. Does everyone realize the most dangerous part of the helicopter journey is the drive in the car to get to the landing pad? If we're referring to helicopter tours only, over the last decade there have been eight helicopter crashes in Hawaii. Helicopter crashes can result in death, but the statistics show you can walk away even if seriously hurt or with minor injuries. Probably the most thrilling option is the Doors Off Jack Harter tour. Is (where?) You're very unlikely to be involved in a helicopter tour in Hawaii as the minutes clocked up along with the number of tours each year will see little to no incidents. It was always touted as being the best and accident free. WebEnjoy the beautiful scenery of Kauai. our helicopters for the filming Our Kauai helicopter tour was, hands down, the best thing Ive ever done on my travels. I highly recommend if doing a helicopter tour the doors off is the way to go. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL US AT 808.245.8588. Something to consider is that maintaining helicopters in the tropics is very expensive and time consuming. Islands fleet of six-passenger, Airbus (formerly Eurocopter) AStar helicopters boast paramount viewing opportunities with their custom ceiling to floor windows. All rights reserved. That actually kind of leveled the playing field on Kauai. Copyright 2021 ThisWeek Hawaii Created by Hagadone Media, Jurassic Falls Helicopter Landing Adventure. If you are looking to treat your valentine to a special dinner this year, check out some of th Winter season is here! Its just an incredible tragedy, not only that seven lives appear to have been lost, but that this is the third time in one year in Hawaii that weve had to face such a tragedy," he said. We flew Blue Hawaiian in the latest model helicopter and felt very safe. 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! Each time we watch the video with us in it we feel that we are on the flight all over again. The incident on Kauai is the second fatal helicopter crash in the islands this year. Our welcoming and professional staff greet every passenger and personally assist with check-in. Other than that, absolutely awesome and worth the money. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 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. Remarkably its the island of Oahu that is involved in more helicopter tour incidents than any other island in Hawaii.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'helodays_com-leader-2','ezslot_14',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helodays_com-leader-2-0'); Why that is, is hard to say but apart from the now defunct Genesis Helicopters; two of the accidents were involved by one operator - Novictor Helicopters. We are proud of our safety record. That is where I am unable to get the reports of the accident or the investigation is still ongoing. Case says thats not only a noise concern for residents but puts people on the ground in danger, too. All of the companys pilots and employees reside on Kauai with their families. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. I met a young Hawaiian woman a couple of years ago who said very politely that the "juests are very brave, we locals would never fly in those helicopters". All six passengers ended up suing Blue Hawaiian Helicopters for negligence. Our pilot was the best!! Euphoria awaits. But there are certainly other things you can ask such as the experience of your pilot for starters. These are all fair questions. Companies no longer doing tours are not included. I remember some time ago after maybe the last string of incidents there was a discussion here about the frequency with helicopter tours vs. commercial (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-86549356', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kauai. They fly six-passenger A-star helicopters (the industry standard in Hawaii) and they fly with doors on and doors off configurations. Where high standards in helicopter maintenance is not an issue in Hawaii, accidents are usually referred to pilot error. Tried and True Flights With over 25 years of experience and a perfect safety record, they use state of the art helicopters, employ the best pilots (many of whom are 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. Report inappropriate content AkamaiNick4SW Maui Level Contributor 124,315 posts 12 reviews 8 helpful votes 4. You won't be the only one doing so. temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind), Island elects to fly doors-on. Proof that helicopter safety is not an issue is in the Bell Jet Ranger, which is rarely used. of Jurassic Park. The pilot, Nick, was excellent. He pointed out everything you would even think of asking and although I was sitting on the end with no door, I felt very safe and you could tell this is a dream job for him! Notice how Oahu is the epicentre of Hawaii helicopter crashes followed by Maui who are tied with Kauai - which happen to be the busiest of the four major islands. Safety records are very good as to circle island tours on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Human error can also involve weather where the company or pilot were careless enough to go ahead with a flight when the weather was poor or an incoming weather front was ignored. WebSafety Practices | Safari Helicoptors Safety First Safari combines the right equipment, practices and experience to make this the safest and most comfortable experience possible. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'helodays_com-leader-3','ezslot_15',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helodays_com-leader-3-0');The second incident well departing Maui, actually happened on the island of Molokai. Review of: Doors Off Air Kauai Helicopter Tour What a fabulous experience from start to finish! WebWe have been providing deluxe helicopter tours from the Lihue Airport longer than any company in Hawaii, over 42 years. Advertising - Rescuers pulled the group to shore, including a teen who later succumbed to his injuries. Please read. Commercial work is much riskier and these types of accidents are not included. As the helicopter approached the nearly 400-foot waterfall, the location director screamed, Thats it; its PERFECT!. $170 Cost per person The safety, comfort and satisfaction of each customer are their main concerns. Includes the Na Pali Coast, Hanalei Bay, Jurassic Falls by air, and more. The remains of six of those on the chopper have been recovered. Magical. Along with our impeccable safety record, we take pride in making each tour a spectacular, personalized experience. The bill is pending in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Very professional, Awesome Perspective of the island. What are good threads to read to help me plan my trip? Don't know what all that means, but we did hear that neither had ever had an accident. 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. Blue Hawaiian do not. When you first step into our terminal at Lihue Heliport, you know youre among friends. They own a vacation home on the BI that you need a helicopter or all day trek on foot to reach. Kauai Helicopter Safety Records. With the majority of this picturesque island unreachable by car, a helicopter tour is the most ecologically friendly way to see one of the most beautiful places in the world in its entirety. The fatal crash Thursday is all but certain to reignite a debate about the safety of helicopter tours. Get answers to your questions about Kauai. I don't have a link right now, but you can dig into the FAA site. All incidents are reported there. Enjoy! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-86533181', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');airline flights. Copyright 2019 Hawaii News Now. Curt has been flying aerial photography and support for over 40 years in Hawaii and is widely respected throughout the motion picture industry. I would recommend a helicopter ride to anybody since you can't see most of Kauai without it. As you flight is prepared, we can answer any questions you may have while you relax in our comfortable terminal. Are helicopter tours safe in Hawaii on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the Big Island.. well I can say they certainly are. All of Island Helicopters highly skilled professional pilots have thousands of hours and numerous years of flying experience. A friend's husband is a helicopter pilot and they really wanted to tour Maui in one. After dating for a couple of years, Curt proposed to Bonnie on a beach at sunset. Another Robinson R-44 went down in October 2018 when the pilot passed out twice. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-86525511', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');airline you are flying on to Hawaii ? Human error is the main cause of helicopter tour crashes where the pilot could be blamed for the accident or is in part responsible, even if its out of their hands. 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? Free Travel Planners for Hawaii & each island, Websites & links for travel sites, attractions, restaurants, maps, lodging & more. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL US AT 808.245.8588. i know the last helicopter crash in hawaii was sometime in july 2000. it was a blue hawaiian crash in maui with all 7 passengers killed. I wouldnt worry about it. In that incident the co-pilot passenger was forced to take controls which probably saved all those onboard. WebIsland Helicopters has over 40 years of expertise, safety, and breathtaking adventure Learn More About Us Kauais Only Landing Adventure Walk the grounds of the 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. While attending college at the University of California, Berkeley, Bonnie spent her summer vacations working as a kids camp counselor at Kahili Mountain Park on Kauai. I wish the pilot would have slowed down around the waterfalls. Since 1980, Island Helicopters has specialized in providing personalized tours for the independent traveler, for families, and groups of all sizes, best helicopter tour Kauai. In addition, they are the only company on Kauai that is permitted to land at a waterfall during a helicopter tour. $96Surcharges / Fees, We just love Island Helicopters! When's the last time a plane went down? Hawaii Congressman Ed Case has proposed legislation that would impose more rules for the tour chopper industry. Who else appears to be involved in a Hawaii crash over the last ten years is Airbus with their AS series helicopters. Well respected for his flight experience in the movie industry, Curt was asked to find an awesome location where the movies helicopter would land and introduce the cast of characters to Isla Nublar (aka Jurassic Park). $80 Surcharges / Fees. Hope this helps. The measure would also address flight paths, preventing tour choppers from taking routes over some communities. Blue Hawaiian definitely! WebDO KAUAI RIGHT SEE IT WITH ISLAND HELICOPTERS. Safety records are very good as to circle island tours on Kauai, and if a helo is problem, and you want to do an air tour , there are two fixed wing air tour companies, Wings Over Kauai, and AirVentures. HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - There have been 18 civilian helicopter crashes in the islands since 2015, NTSB records show. At Air Kauai, the proof is in our record: over 25 years of perfect safety. 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. Since 1980, Island Helicopters provides safe, exhilarating experiences designed for adventure-seekers and families alike. Seats up to 6 passengers (subject to weight limitations). 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. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Our highly skilled pilots have many years of experience and all have a perfect safety record. I would not hesitate to fly with them again. WebPerfect Safety Record At Air Kauai, the proof is in our record: over 25 years of perfect safety. WebISLAND HELICOPTERS KAUAI - 575 Photos & 404 Reviews - 3788 Ahukini Rd, Lihue, HI - Yelp Restaurants Home Services Auto Services More Island Helicopters Kauai 404 reviews Claimed Aerial Tours Edit Closed 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM See hours See all 592 photos Write a review Add photo Save Review Highlights Jurassic Falls in 40 reviews We did the Grand Skies Tour and it was worth every penny! Companies WITH and WITHOUT crashes are And our pilot Adam was super! - Alessandra Spallarossa. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. We did the Haleakela tour and bought the video of our flight and have not one regret. $308 Cost per person But when they happen that's when we're singing a different tune. https://www.helodays.com/are-helicopter-tours-safe-in-hawaii We flew with them in May 2000 and they had a spotless record up until that time. Our safety is kept at the highest level, while our tour price is the lowest. Only Island Helicopters allows you to land at Hawaiis most acclaimed waterfall. It was very informative. The Air Kauai Experience begins long before you board a helicopter. 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. That's not luck - it's the combined commitment of professional pilots and top-notch aircraft maintenance personnel. In April, a Robinson R-44 went down in Kailua , killing the pilot and his two The most dangerous thing about flying is driving to the airport. 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. Privacy Statement - Why post such blatant lies and attempt to create unwarranted fear? 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?