Things To Know Before You Ride In A Helicopter
Riding in a helicopter can be a really fun experience. If you are traveling to a place a few hours away, you may wish to rent a charter helicopter in order to make the travel time as fun as your time at the destination. With a trained pilot at the helm, your ride on the helicopter can be safe and enjoyable. However, there are still a few things to know before you step on the flight.
1. Only a Few People Can Fit
Unlike airplanes, which come in a wide range of sizes, helicopters only get so big. The largest ones typically fit six passengers, plus the pilot. If you have a larger group than this, you may need to charter two helicopters. Companies often offer a deal if you need to rent two aircraft at once.
There are also small, chopper-style helicopters that only fit one or three passengers, plus the pilot. If you are traveling alone or with a partner, you can save money by chartering one of these instead. They use less fuel, so they're cheaper to run, and rental companies pass some of that cost-savings onto their customers.
2. The Temperature Can Be a Little Chilly
Charter helicopters are usually heated. Still, the air up in the sky is a lot cooler than it is down by the surface of the earth. As such, it can get a little chilly in the helicopter, especially if you're riding in the spring or fall. As such, it's best to dress conservatively with long pants and long sleeves. Bring along a light jacket if you get cold easily. There's no need to bundle up, but you won't be comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt, either.
3. There Are Items You Cannot Bring
Helicopters have pretty strict weight limits, which is one reason why the items you can bring are restricted. Plus, the pilot needs to keep him or herself -- and also the passengers -- safe. Reach out to your charter company for an exact list of banned items. Some items that are almost always banned include firearms, corrosive substances, liquids, cosmetics, knives over a certain size, and alcohol. If you are found with a banned item before the flight, you might be forced to leave it behind -- so pack carefully!
4. You'll Be Wearing a Headset
People are often concerned about the noise inside the helicopter. Their engines are loud, and you would have trouble hearing someone talk while inside. Thankfully, however, there is an easy solution for this. While inside the helicopter, you will be given a headset to wear. The headset will block the noisy rumbling sound and also allow you to communicate with everyone else on the flight. Keep the headset in mind when styling your hair for the day. Riding in a helicopter is not for the vain!
5. The Ride Might Be a Bit Rough
Riding in a helicopter is a bit bouncy. It's not like riding in a commercial jet! If you get sick easily, you may want to take an anti-nausea medication pill, such as those made for motion sickness, before you get on the helicopter. Take it at least a half hour before the ride so the medication has time to get into your system. If possible, sit near the window. Looking outside often helps keep the sickness at bay.
Riding in a helicopter is quite an experience and one that everyone should have at some point in their life. Now that you know a bit more, your ride should go smoothly. Reach out to a helicopter charter company like Helinet with any additional questions.
