Tour of Icefield by Helicopter 2

before you fly a helicopter tour of the icefields

1. realize it could be a two hour (each way) bus ride from jasper or banff, or about five hours round trip, for a twenty minute flight

2. the equipment might be between twenty and thirty years old

3. there may not be a maintenance person of mechanic at your tour base each day (ask)

4. Your tour pilot may have less hours than any other commercial pilot in Canada, some tour operators use and abuse brand new pilots to save money on their operation

5. Ask how many hours your pilot has. Alberta Govt requires 500 hours experience from a pilot to fly their forrestry people. Top rated pilots usually have over 5000 hours. Your tour pilot (if you fly from the wrong operator) might be hiring 100 hour graduates, and this may be their first job flying. Ever.

6. Tour operators (bad ones) will hire young pilots who are otherwise unable to find flying work, and they will work them 14 hours per day without pay until they start flying. It can an does become a sweat shop for young pilots when it is abused by bad operators.

7. The twenty year old (or more) helicopter you are aksed to fly in could possibly be a rental machine, not even owned by the tour operator.

8. The older machines have seating issues. You may be stuck in the middle of a rear seat, with little to no room, and little view.

9. Your tour operator might be "rushed" to turnover the guests in order to maximize revenue. Rushing and flying do not add up to safety. Pick an operator that slows down, for your enjoyment and your safety.

10. Fog, rain, snow, wind stong enough to tip one of operators helicopter over, might be experienced in the mountains. The air is thin at 9000 feet, the flying more difficult, the safe landing spots fewer. If you are one of the unfortunate few who experience your door popping open (it happens) at 9000 feet, you might not enjoy your time at all.

11. fly in hawaii, where you are at sea level, the operators can afford brand new equipment and experienced pilots, lots of places to land, no mountians or mountain winds.

stay safe and enjoy your holiday