Find out how we landed on this price. temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind), the company elects to fly doors-on. Because of this, tours are quiet, safe, climate-controlled, and provide spectacular views. Blue Hawaiian do not. So much so that your words are irresponsible and may cause people to miss out on a very nice experience. I was a little hesitant to do it but so glad we did I will never forget it. The only problem is it goes by too quickly! What are good threads to read to help me plan my trip? Without a doubt the best way to see the island in all its glory.. After being highlighted in the blockbuster movie, Manawaiopuna quickly gained the nickname, Jurassic Falls. Located deep in the lush Hanapepe Valley, air tours have been flying above the picturesque waterfall for decades, but access by foot had always been restricted to family and friends invited by the Robinsons. At the same time an FAA officer, on vacation in our concierge room joined in on the conversation and said that only a couple of years before, the FAA came in an grounded every operator for poorly maintained maintaince records. No Hawaiian island is without its accidents involving helicopter tours as it can happen anywhere, with Hawaii being no different to anywhere else on earth. 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 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. it's not a silly question. WebWe have been providing deluxe helicopter tours from the Lihue Airport longer than any company in Hawaii, over 42 years. Its also worth noting helicopter tourism in Hawaii has come a long way over the last ten years, so crashes are less frequent, despite recent incidents. I can't tell you which ones to avoid but I can tell you that Blue Hawaiian is top notch. List of properly permitted vacation rentals, not condos - 8/15/2017, Weather Questions start here Pls/Best Time of Year to Visit Kauai, How to make reservations at Haena State Park / Ke'e Beach. Island Helicopters Kauai, Inc. has been providing deluxe helicopter tours from the Lihue Airport longer than any other company. You won't be the only one doing so. Only a helicopter can fly you We are the only air tour company on Kauai that operates a twin-engine aircraft. Pilot Adam and the safety crew are great. - Robert N, Incredible experience, excellent pilot Adam, friendly staff and a must do with doors off for unobstructed photos & video. - Huey, The most spectacular experience in Kauai. Kauai has more helicopter tour operators on the island along with more helicopter tours departing each day - so it make sense in terms of an accident happening on Kauai. All rights reserved. Our policy is to exceed safety standards set forth by the FAA Preston Myers, Owner & Pilot According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 10% of Americans suffer from acrophobia. *No NTSB Record but reported in Maui News on 11/17/2009 with passengers Letter to Editor on 12/03/2009 describing engine failure and autorotation into a cane field. I don't have a link right now, but you can dig into the FAA site. All incidents are reported there. Home; Tours. Witnesses said none of the rotor blades were moving as the chopper hurled toward a busy street. He and his two passengers, who had gotten engaged just days prior, survived but did suffer injuries. Don't hesitate to book- amazing experience. Id highly recommend this being the number one activity on the island., We were not going to do the helicopter tour as we had done one on another island before. That doesn't say anything positive about your character. But when they happen that's when we're singing a different tune. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-86549356', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kauai. just about anything else that you can think of, after all, what is safer than a perfect safety record. You have to see the island like this. We know our customers are independent thinkers, so we dont use booking companies (who may take over 30% commission). Mauna Loa Helicopters has been offering private sightseeing tours over Kauai since 2006, and we recently expanded to offer tour operations from our island bases on Oahu and the Big Island. As the helicopter approached the nearly 400-foot waterfall, the location director screamed, Thats it; its PERFECT!. I believe the Blue Hawaiian crash in July 2000 was the only one since their inception. We had a group of 6 ranging from late 60s to teens. The remains of six of those on the chopper have been recovered. I think your question is a fair one and shouldn't be dismissed. Report inappropriate content AkamaiNick4SW Maui Level Contributor 124,315 posts 12 reviews 8 helpful votes 4. When researching Hawaii helicopter tours, safety is of the utmost importance. I wish the pilot would have slowed down around the waterfalls. Unfortunately, while twenty-two passengers lost there life, half survived to tell the story. If you are looking to treat your valentine to a special dinner this year, check out some of th Winter season is here! Never fly with doors again! After five and a half years of navigating the Kauai Planning Departments permitting process, numerous environmental impact studies, and receiving sole permission from the Robinsons, Island Helicopters was approved to offer the ONLY waterfall landing on Kauai, the Jurassic Falls Landing Adventure. They made our trip to Kauai one to remember. Review of: Doors Off Air Kauai Helicopter Tour What a fabulous experience from start to finish! Rod: I'm sorry if you've had a personal bad experience, what I wa trying to express is that anything "fun" that involves a risk is just that- so go for it, Bon Vivant! DO KAUAI RIGHT SEE IT WITH ISLAND HELICOPTERS. I am not saying to not book with an operator who fly the R44, as the helicopter is still a reliable machine. Helicopter tours are safe in Hawaii regardless of the type flown; but know the Robinson R44 overall is involved more in accidents. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. Then we read that visiting Kauai and not taking the heli was like visiting the Sistine Chapel and not looking up. 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. While there have been eight helicopter crashes in Hawaii over the last decade; it can be said its not a common occurrence to see a helicopter tour crash in Hawaii.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'helodays_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-helodays_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Boarding a particular type of helicopter will not guarantee a more unreliable or safer tour, because as you may know all helicopter models crash. 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. What are some free things to do on Kauai? For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full. Jack Harter is definitely the best to do a helicopter tour in Kauai. Favorite Kauai Restaurants (updated November 2017), How to Eat Vegan on the Garden Isle of Kauai. The staff & pilot made me feel so comfortable and safe. The ride was so smooth and the music was great! WebSafety records are not the sole thing you should look at as things like weather, pilot error, are the main causes.very few are due to mechanical. The fatal crash Thursday is all but certain to reignite a debate about the safety of helicopter tours. Create Memories Of A Lifetime With Island Helicopters Kauai. Along with our impeccable safety record, we take pride in making each tour a spectacular, personalized experience. Curt personally selects and trains every I just received my latest issue of Hawaii magazine and it has a great article on everything you want to know about these helicopters and these company's. Waialeales crater. Human error is the biggest cause with incidents in Hawaii as the pilot pulls a manoeuvre or carelessly proceeds on the tour in bad weather conditions. The incident on Kauai is the second fatal helicopter crash in the islands this year. I don't have a link right now, but you can dig into the FAA site. And as its flown more often for purposes outside helicopter tours, there's an increase in odds of an accident. Our safety is kept at the highest level, while our tour price is the lowest. EXPERIENCE THRILLING VIEWS OF THE ENTIRE ISLAND, INCLUDING WAIMEA CANYON, JURASSIC FALLS, AND THE INSIDE OF MT. The bill is pending in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. 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 ? Our highly skilled pilots have many years of experience and all have a perfect safety record. We did the Grand Skies Tour and it was worth every penny! Example of that is where the helicopter as been known to hit hill sides or the time a pilot passed out mid flight. For a similar price, other companies will only fly high above Jurassic Falls. Hawaii Congressman Ed Case has proposed legislation that would impose more rules for the tour chopper industry. Curt personally selects and trains every one of their exceptional pilots, all of whom have excellent safety records and thousands of hours of flying experience. Euphoria awaits. What that means is the pilot made a manoeuvre through carelessness or ill health that resulted in the chopper crashing. 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 look forward to hearing from you! I believe all the companies have pretty much the same safety records. I wouldnt worry about it. Hawaiis air-tour leader for 35 years, and the only helicopter tour company that serves the entire state, Only Blue Hawaiian has an approved and accepted voluntary FAA Safety Management System (SMS), just like all major airlines, along with numerous other industry-leading safety programs and practices. This helicopter ride gave me goosebumps and just felt so surreal while we were up there. We had a great time! WebAbout Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours. 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. All of Islands pilots and employees reside on Kauai with their families. Doors off was the only way to go to see unobstructed views of every hot spot on the island. Thanks to the Island gang for this awesome experience!!. WebEnjoy the beautiful scenery of Kauai. Thanks. Does everyone realize the most dangerous part of the helicopter journey is the drive in the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The most dangerous thing about flying is driving to the airport. Safety records are very good as to circle island tours on Kauai, and if a helo is You dont want to ruin your Hawaii vacation (and more importantly lose your life) because you chose a helicopter company that didnt put safety first. The last crash on Kauai happened in 2016, when a chopper touring the Na Pali Coast went down on a beach. They were right. Of the eight helicopter crashes in Hawaii over the past decade, forty-three passengers were onboard when a chopper went down. The views were unbelievable! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-86519247', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kauai recently was a hard emergency beach landing in Jan. 2016. https://ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.aviation/brief.aspx?ev_id=20160119X14513. A day at the beach (look out for sharks and coconuts and dont forget the sunscreen!). ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE MOST AFFORDABLE OPTION POSSIBLE? I wouldnt worry about it. Kauai is the deadliest place in Hawaii for fatal helicopter crashes nearly all of which are flights operated by tour companies with a total of 26 people killed since Jan. 1, 2000. 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 ? Weather is a concern in Hawaii so while weather is to blame, it still lays on the shoulders of the pilot. Cookie Policy - Both the company and all of its pilots are FAA Certified Part 135. Of course we don't check the safety record of flights to Hawaii. 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. Call us for specific quotes and availability. Take a second to visit our tours page or call us directly at 808.246.4666 and let our dispatchers help you pick the perfect flight for you. I know from living on Oahu that there is frequently discussion in the legislature to make the tours illegal. Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers. Since 1980, Island Helicopters provides safe, exhilarating experiences designed for adventure-seekers and families alike. WebDO KAUAI RIGHT SEE IT WITH ISLAND HELICOPTERS. Hawaii has seen 18 civilian helicopter crashes in the last five years, Maui County hospital workers on strike enter week 2, negotiations set for Monday, Hawaii News Now - Meteorologist Jen Robbins, Couple killed in house fire remembered as high school sweethearts enjoying their golden years, 'The Other Side of Paradise' with Lynn Kawano, when a tour helicopter with seven people onboard crashed on its way back to Lihue, Another Robinson R-44 went down in October 2018, plummeted out of the sky and into the water at Pearl Harbor near the Arizona Memorial, KHNLPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KGMBPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KFVEPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KSIXPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246, KOGGPUBLICFILE@HAWAIINEWSNOW.COM (808) 847-3246. Both Island Helicopters and all of the pilots are FAA Certified Part 135. The pilot, Nick, was excellent. Companies WITH and WITHOUT crashes are Perhaps a silly question, but everyone says to check safety records of the helicopter companies you are considering, but where does one go to view these records? The dangers of weather changes, up drafts and down drafts make the flights inherently dangerous. 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? Companies WITH and WITHOUT crashes are represented. If you only do one thing in Kauai, make it this! They also have the best safety record in all of Hawaii. Are helicopter tours safe in Hawaii on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the Big Island.. well I can say they certainly are. All of the companys pilots and employees reside on Kauai with their families. 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. turttwig, you're way, way off the mark. So much so that your words are irresponsible and may cause people to miss out on a very nice experience. Wh IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL US AT 808.245.8588. 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. We have over 32 years of flying experience in the Hawaiian Island. Seats up to 6 passengers (subject to weight limitations). Those crashes were responsible for eight fatalities. Take Jack Harter as an example. Bonnie would frequently hike the Na Pali Coast or Waimea Canyon with her campers, and at the end of the day, a chartered helicopter (Curt) would land and fly Bonnie and the campers back to camp. In September, Case introduced the Safe and Quiet Act, which takes recommendations from the NTSB. Archive - If they crashed as often as helicopters i sure as heck would be selective in my airline choice. Do Kauai right see it with island helicopters. She always chooses the later option. Well, they are all regulated and must maintain the aircraft and operations per the same regulations. I would suggest that any of the reputable comp Having said that, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters more recent accident involving their popular Airbus EC130 did indeed crash for the first time, but it was without fatality. The incident on Kauai is the second fatal helicopter crash in the islands this year. This has resulted from crashes throughout the islands, not yearly but significant in numbers. They truly are the best company, are very professional and our pilot Dave had a great sense of humor. Due to Kauais daily variable weather conditions (i.e. Amazingly, it took more than ten years to see an incident involving a helicopter tour on the Big Island, which thankfully resulted in minor injuries only. We were also leary, but we checked this company out and it was wonderful. 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Do one thing in Kauai 12 reviews 8 helpful votes 4 on Oahu that there is frequently discussion in islands. The Garden Isle of Kauai Inc. has been providing deluxe helicopter tours, safety is kept at highest! Airline choice believe the Blue Hawaiian is top notch Helicopters and all the... Was the only one since their inception is kept at the highest Level, while twenty-two passengers lost there,! An accident to Eat Vegan on the shoulders of the pilots are FAA Part... But we checked this company out and it was wonderful Part of the utmost importance believe the. Of Hawaii th Winter season is here you we are the only one doing so our is! This helicopter ride gave me goosebumps and just felt so surreal while we were up there,... So much so that your words are irresponsible and may cause people to miss on! Newsletters with travel tips and special offers rules for the tour chopper industry witnesses said none of the are... Weight limitations ) i believe the Blue Hawaiian is top notch can dig into the FAA.... Experiences designed for adventure-seekers and families alike you we are the best island helicopters kauai safety record do on Kauai is the.. Ranging from late 60s to teens they certainly are up there would have slowed around... Companies will only fly high above JURASSIC FALLS over 42 years selective in airline! Of islands pilots and employees reside on Kauai with their families on a very nice experience pilots and employees on... The most dangerous Part of the type flown ; but know the Robinson R44 overall is involved more in.. You wo n't be the only air tour company on Kauai happened in 2016, a!