Who has ridden in a helicopter?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I dunno…seems to be a lot of “Who has…?” polls out there right now, so I’m contributing, dammit! :slight_smile:

Anyway, this past weekend, my wife and I stumbled on an airshow at a local private airport. There were some great aerobatic demonstrations going on, but the thing that really intrigued me was that helicopter rides were being offered. It was a very small bird, although I don’t remember the model name. The ride was very short, but I had a lot of fun! Those few of you who might remember me from my fear of flying thread last year can appreciate how far I’ve come to want to pay for the priviledge of being up in the air like that. :slight_smile: The shoddy photos I took while I was up can be seen here (thanks to Jakeline for the Photoshop cleanup).

But enough about me, this is a poll! Who has ridden in a helicopter? What was the occasion? What did you think of it? Share!

2

This is me.

3

N90570 is registered as a Hughes 269C owned by Western Helicopters Inc in Rialto, CA.

4

When I was about six y.o., or maybe seven–about a million years ago–I joined the Y Indian Guides. For one of our very first outings the dads arranged for us all to take a helicopter tour around L.A. At that time there was a commercial helicopter line that went around to all the local airports, and they used a large double-rotor “flying banana” type model that could hold at least 30 or so passengers. It was probably a civilian version of those large choppers the Army uses. I don’t know why this helicopter service doesn’t exist anymore; maybe the long-haul air traffic got so heavy that it was too dangerous to continue.

It was the first time I’d been in any kind of aircraft, and it was a tremendous thrill for me. As long ago as it was, I remember it like it was yesterday,.

5

Me! Me-me-me! I’ve taken several rides in helicopters!

Here’s the proof. The pilot is telling me "I don’t care if you’re a fixed wing pilot - don’t touch nuthin’!"

(It’s a Robinson 22 - my friend the chopper pilot now owns a Hughes 300 (I hope I remember that right), I’ve been in that one, too)

6

I was the officiant in a wedding ceremony on the Grewingk Glacier.

It was the Groom, Bride, my wife and the pilot. The plot had to be one of the witnesses. My wife the other.

It was wonderful. My first time in a Helicopter. We landed on the Ice. We had the whole glacier to ourselves. No one around for many miles. I have some great shots of us with champaign on a glacier with a helicopter in the background all in nice cloths.

First and still only time in one.

7

In 1969, I flew around Mt. Rushmore in a helicopter. First & last time.

8

Once, about 8 years ago. I was given drugs and they cut my clothes off. Thankfully, no anal probe, that I remember. Next time, fly first class. :smiley:

9

I have, twice. Once was in a Hughes 500, the other I don’t remember for sure but might have been a Bell JetRanger.

I’ve got enough money and free time these days, I was thinking of taking a flying lesson in a helicopter. I don’t think I could afford to go for the full license, but it’s something I’d like to try at least once.

10

Thank you, sir!

11

I did - it was a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon and probably the most awesome thing I’ve ever seen.

12

I have, a lot. Friends of my parents owned one when I was growing up. Last time was the Grand Canyon, last year, but that was a granny ride. Almost did when I was in Las Vegas this winter, but I got distracted.

I’m hoping to start lessons when things settle down a little.

Love it.

13

Many times over 5 years as a piece of cargo being shuttled to and from oil rigs. Noisy, uncomfortable, packed 16 into a super puma all wearing immersion suits, life jackets and rebreathers. It rapidly loses its appeal as a form of commuting.
The S61s that they flew out of Shetland/Scatsta were much more roomy, if a little slower. They seam to have the profile of a boat, which to me is a good design thing for a mode of transportation that defies logic and spends over 4 hours over water.
Thankfully these days it is restricted to the odd day trip go look see visits.

14

I have, in Kauai. It was dang freaky to me, but a beautiful way to see the interior of the island.

15

I’ve been in a few military helos, but I don’t think in any civil ones. If/when I get back into flying (my fixed wing private pilot’s license is currently gathering dust), I really want to take a few helicopter lessons. Don’t need a license, but would love to learn to take off, hover, and land.

16

Me too! We were taking a raft trip down the Colorado and they helicoptered us in. It was a small 4 person helicopter (no idea what kind) and it was the coolest thing evah!

17

Strange as it might seem I have flown many times in a Loach. I also have several hundred hours in OH-58s. I have been cargo in UH-60 Blackhawks and UH-1 Hueys. I have also flown in the front seat of a Cobra a few times. When I was in an Apache unit they were still relatively new and unfortunately they didn’t give joyrides at the time. Except for a couple of Huey and Blackhawk rides most of this was quite a while ago.

Oh I forgot, I’ve flown in the back of a Chinook a few times too.

18

Same as** danceswithcats** Don’t remember the ride. :mad:

19

Rode over the Lapland mountains, with a pilot who knew them like the back of his hand. Too cool for words.

20

I’ve been in a bunch of 'em. My longest and most significant ride was one I barely remember - medevac to a hospital in New Zealand (definitely saved my life).