135 in Arizona?

[Annie]

Any suggestions as to the best tour operators over the canyon?

 

[Hadhafang]

For working for or for taking a tour over the Canyon?

 

[Annie]

Oh dear--thank you for askikng.

My beloved has never seen the canyon. We are at a time in this life when he will only get one chance to see it all. I was thinking a fly over would be something special for him.

Any suggestions are much appreciated!

 

[DX Rick]

Hey BW.........what kind of gig is Tam-aero starting up in Havasu? A charter of somesort? I haven't been out that way in well over a year.

135 with a Merlin, 310 and a 182. Possibly a Meridian.

 

[Hadhafang]

Oh dear--thank you for askikng.

My beloved has never seen the canyon. We are at a time in this life when he will only get one chance to see it all. I was thinking a fly over would be something special for him.

Any suggestions are much appreciated!

Well, it all depends on how much you are willing to pay. I flew for Air Grand Canyon, but I have also gone on a helicopter flight. The Helicopters are going to be more expensive and they have two tours that they will offer. One is about an hour long and the other is half an hour. I would recommend the hour tour. As helicopters go, I would ride with Maverick. Papillon flies the Bell's and it is not as smooth of a ride.

Air Grand Canyon is the only company that will guarentee that you get a window seat. Grand Canyon Airlines flies the same route as we do, but they fly the Twin Otter which has an aisle seat. The helicopters have different seating arrangements. Papillon seats three across and some of those seats sit backwards. Maverick and Grand Canyon Helicopters fly the EcoStars and they will sit four across. That means that two people are sitting in the middle and have to look over other people to see out.

At Air Grand Canyon, we were charging $127 (total price) per adult for a roughly 50 minute flight. Grand Canyon Airlines was a little cheaper but you do run the risk of an aisle seat. Be careful if you look any of these companies up online. They only put their base price, and you have to add fuel surcharge, Canyon fees, etc.

Every operator flies the same routes because those are regulated. The Helo's fly roughly 500 feet lower than fixed wing, but no one is flying down to the river or flying through the Canyon. The Helo's that do fly down do so about 100 miles west of the main part of the Canyon outside the National Park. Those flights are to pick up rafters and such.

I hope that this helps. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions as I did fly out there this summer. Seeing the Canyon from the air gives you a totally different perspective, and I would definitely recommend that you do it.