I am in Hawaii, and am scheduled to take a Helicopter tour on Jan. 2d. I am generally suspicious of the safety of helicopters, but thought it was something my children (14 & 18) would enjoy. About 10 days ago, there was a fatal accident in New Zealand and 3 days ago there was a fatal accident in Hawaii. (Kauai). Am somewhat conflicted, but currently leaning towards cancelling the flight. Curious what people here would do.
OT Should I take a Helicopter Tour on the Big Island of Hawaii?
- Thread starter dailybuck777
- Start date
It was on my bucket list, so when we visited the Big Island in 2015 we did took the opportunity to do a helicopter tour of the active volcanos. We used Blue Hawaiian Helicopter tours. I think it was their Ring of Fire tour. We really enjoyed it and got some great pics you cannot get from the ground.
You are more likely to die in the car on the way to the helicopter tour than on the helicopter tour.
You are also more likely to die of illness from an airborne disease in Hawaii than a helicopter tour.
Also more likely to die of the trip to the airport at home than the helicopter tour.
I could go on.
LdN
As fun as it would probably be... I’d lean towards NOT. Have heard of quite a few helicopter crashes in Hawaii in recent years, makes me think a number of pilots probably aren’t really qualified or maybe take chances they shouldn’t to get their clients the views they want.
Just my opinion, maybe I’m not adventurous enough.
Just my opinion, maybe I’m not adventurous enough.
Yes. Do it. The odds of anything happening to you are about as good as OSU losing a football game due to a controversial call.....
(I kid, I kid)
Yes - do it. As LdN pointed out, the odds of you getting hurt or injured some other way are far greater. Just remember to sit on the inside of the chopper. Improves your odds.
(I kid, I kid)
Yes - do it. As LdN pointed out, the odds of you getting hurt or injured some other way are far greater. Just remember to sit on the inside of the chopper. Improves your odds.
I would imagine helicopter tour pilot would be a tough job to fill if death was a common issue.
Although you could really offer a great retiremenr plan since none would make it.
LdN
ABSOLUTELY!!! Did the Blue Hawaiian Helicopter tour in 2017 on the Big Island and it was great.
Try and get TC (Island Hoppers) for your pilot, Can't go wrong.
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Good reasoning. All of the bad pilots already crashed and took themselves out of the workforce.
After post, talked to a local who said he wouldn't do it because there are dangerous up drafts and down drafts that are unpredictable. Hawaii's Congressional representative called the heliocopter tours unsafe. On the other hand, my brother who is a world traveler has done it and said it was the experience of a lifetime.
I mean if irrational fear is your thing, then sure. You should trust your local friend.
Not the numbers.
LdN
When I went to Rio a number of years ago, one of the highlights was a helicopter tour that took off from a perch on Sugarloaf Mountain and went around the City. It was amazing - and before drones - the only way you could get that kind of view of any area.
You wouldn't get me up in one of them there whirley bird things. If God wanted us to fly he would have given us wings.
BIG NO. Did one in Moreau and was petrified, was certain we weren't going to scale the mountain. Took a small plane from Maui to Molakai, the Leper Colony, quite interesting.Most, not all.....
You're being irrational.
If you're going to wimp out, stay on the ground and let your kids have the experience.
I'm not sure of the Big Island tours, but the Kauai tours are phenomenal. Can't miss.
Took one about 25 years ago and it was a trip highlight. Is it with a reputable firm? If so, much safer than driving your rental to the heliport!
Unless the helicopter tour is a subsidiary of Fair Gambit Enterprises.
I cannot imagine living my life in fear.
A helicopter over Hawaii? Hell yeah and let me drive. If I go out in a helicopter crash in Hawaii, that's a good deal.
A helicopter over Hawaii? Hell yeah and let me drive. If I go out in a helicopter crash in Hawaii, that's a good deal.
If you don't do the helicopter trip of the Na Pali (makes sense about the up and down drafts with the topography of Kauai), do the Zodiac tour. Very interesting and see a lot of the coast that you can't see on foot.
The wife and I have opted for small plane tours instead of helicopter on recent trips to Hawaii and New Zealand. Usually half the price of a helicopter and probably safer as you have a chance to glide to safety in the case of mechanical failure. Of course, as evidenced by the recent LSU tragedy those are no sure thing either.
I lived in Hawaii for about 14 years. There are several crashes a year in Hawaii but when you look at the number of tours flown , the % is low. The helo pad is directly across the road from our condo on the big island.
My wife and I took a helicopter tour on Maui back in 1989. Loved it. Waterfalls, down into the dormant volcano, all over.
If you are willing to fly across that big ocean, farther than you flew to get from PA to the left coast, to a little island out in the middle of the water, .... I can't see why you'd worry about a little helicopter ride....
I wouldn't refrain from doing anything like that, most of which I've already done. But I might have not gone out way back when on a parasail ride at Cancun since after my "ride" some other americans on the beach told me that the parasail dudes bounce a guy off one of the hotels earlier in the day......
If you are willing to fly across that big ocean, farther than you flew to get from PA to the left coast, to a little island out in the middle of the water, .... I can't see why you'd worry about a little helicopter ride....
I wouldn't refrain from doing anything like that, most of which I've already done. But I might have not gone out way back when on a parasail ride at Cancun since after my "ride" some other americans on the beach told me that the parasail dudes bounce a guy off one of the hotels earlier in the day......
Absolutely do it. It will be something you'll always remember ... provided you don't go down in a ball of flames.
Seriously, the wife and I took a helicopter ride over Oahu. One of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I'm sure the main island is wonderful as well.
Seriously, the wife and I took a helicopter ride over Oahu. One of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I'm sure the main island is wonderful as well.
