Jump to content

Helicopter charter - SoCal to Ojai


05LSV
 Share

Recommended Posts

Headed to Ojai later in the month and not sure I want to drive 4 hours there and back. Has anyone used a helicopter for this sort of short range trip? I know a llttle about jets from past charters, but nothing about helicopters...at all.

 

Any tips, recommendations, helicopter makes/models, estimated cost for 3 ppl with light luggage, etc? Anything will help.

 

Thanks in advance.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Headed to Ojai later in the month and not sure I want to drive 4 hours there and back. Has anyone used a helicopter for this sort of short range trip? I know a llttle about jets from past charters, but nothing about helicopters...at all.

 

Any tips, recommendations, helicopter makes/models, estimated cost for 3 ppl with light luggage, etc? Anything will help.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

I don't know about helicopters but I will say the drive there is fantastic if you want fun, scenic roads.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Biggest thing I've heard is mandatory the pilot has a minimum of 10k flight hours. I believe that was Chad's rule.

 

If you find an Agusta with retractable gear, post pics!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

And dual turbine power. Redundancy is important in the air, especially in birds that can’t glide.

 

For short trips, it’s the perfect weapon. You won’t even have to give up the fun and scenery Ace mentions.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Dude. Really? Ojai is just up the road from my house. You staying at the Ojai Valley inn? Love that place. If you plan around traffic you can make the whole trip in 3 hours. Hit me up on text. I’ll fill you in.

 

I do have a friend who may know chopper rentals locally. I’ll contact him for you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

And dual turbine power. Redundancy is important in the air, especially in birds that can't glide.

More engines is better, but a helicopter glides just fine. It's called autorotation. The smaller the helicopter, the more survivable a full auto' would be. Jet Rangers autorotate like a champ! Unless the transmission shits and the wings stop. There's only one transmission, lol.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

More engines is better, but a helicopter glides just fine. It's called autorotation. The smaller the helicopter, the more survivable a full auto' would be. Jet Rangers autorotate like a champ! Unless the transmission shits and the wings stop. There's only one transmission, lol.

 

I got in touch with a charter company nearby and got some info.

 

The helicopter is an A-star AS350. It was just reinspected by the FAA today, so service and maintenance are both on point.

 

I just asked the pilot/owner of the helicopter and charter company (all one in the same) how many flight hours he has. I didn’t think to ask that, just assuming if you own and helicopter, own a charter company, and fly people around for money, that you’re certified in some way. We’ll see what he says.

 

The drive to Ojai is about 4 hours from my house, and that’s if I time it perfectly. It’s 4.5 hours coming home. If I have the helicopter, we could stay all day on our last day and leave when we want instead of having to leave at 11am because of traffic.

 

This is all in the interest of time savings, yes, as the charter would be just over an hour compared to four hours in the car. But also, I’ve never been on a helicopter, and thought it would be cool...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Okay so I just spoke to the pilot/owner, who has 3500 flight hours under his belt.

 

The helicopter is an A-star AS350 with a single turbine. Apparently it's an older helicopter, but it only has 4500 hours on the clock.

 

The company is called Icon Helicopters, and they do aerial filming, charters, and commercial work, having just finished a job for Monster energy, who wrapped the helicopter in matte black for whatever they were doing. It looks pretty cool. Icon is about $2k less expensive than the other quotes I've gotten...

 

Thoughts? Issues?

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It just looks old. Not a problem necessarily and priced accordingly. Sometimes you need a jet, sometimes a Cessna will do just fine.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It just looks old. Not a problem necessarily and priced accordingly. Sometimes you need a jet, sometimes a Cessna will do just fine.

 

Yeah after checking them out online, newer helicopters have a little more updated look for sure.

 

Jet wasn’t a consideration bc the nearest airport is an hour away. Kind of defeats the purpose...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yeah after checking them out online, newer helicopters have a little more updated look for sure.

 

Jet wasn’t a consideration bc the nearest airport is an hour away. Kind of defeats the purpose...

 

Santa Paula Airport is less than 20 miles from Ojai. Might be an option for a fixed-wing charter.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Santa Paula Airport is less than 20 miles from Ojai. Might be an option for a fixed-wing charter.

 

That runway is too short for a jet. They said a Kingair 100 could land there though...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Since its your first time I'd keep looking for a better ride. Don't get a "local" company. Call an LA company and have them come out and get you in something nice (without a wrap!).

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

give Orbic a shout. They are super nice people, I was a student of theirs for a while. I dont think they have any Eurocopters knocking about but they will help you find something nice for your first time.

 

http://orbicair.com/c-259806-helicopter-ch...os-angeles.html

 

 

 

That runway is too short for a jet. They said a Kingair 100 could land there though...

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Okay so I just spoke to the pilot/owner, who has 3500 flight hours under his belt.

 

The helicopter is an A-star AS350 with a single turbine. Apparently it's an older helicopter, but it only has 4500 hours on the clock.

 

The company is called Icon Helicopters, and they do aerial filming, charters, and commercial work, having just finished a job for Monster energy, who wrapped the helicopter in matte black for whatever they were doing. It looks pretty cool. Icon is about $2k less expensive than the other quotes I've gotten...

 

Thoughts? Issues?

I have nothing to add other than that model of Helicopter flew to the peak of Mount Everest, setting some kind of record. Im sure if it's maintained it will be fine.

 

Helicopters are cool! I've ridden in two of them, although military ones. A Huey with bullet holes in it and a Blackhawk.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks again for the feedback.

 

I went ahead and booked the trip on the as350. Seems like the charter market here is pretty small - I actually found 3 other charter companies (one was in Houston!) offering the same helicopter from Icon for more money. I know that’s how it goes with jets, so I’m not sure why I was surprised...

 

On the cheaper end, I found a Robinson R44, but it’s smaller and looked a little scary. There was also a late model Bell available for about the same money as the Astar, but it did not have air conditioning. I’m not sure if that’s required, but I decided to go with as350 based on that, the size, and the price.

 

I’ll get some pics outside of the hanger before we take off.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks again for the feedback.

 

I went ahead and booked the trip on the as350. Seems like the charter market here is pretty small - I actually found 3 other charter companies (one was in Houston!) offering the same helicopter from Icon for more money. I know that’s how it goes with jets, so I’m not sure why I was surprised...

 

On the cheaper end, I found a Robinson R44, but it’s smaller and looked a little scary. There was also a late model Bell available for about the same money as the Astar, but it did not have air conditioning. I’m not sure if that’s required, but I decided to go with as350 based on that, the size, and the price.

 

I’ll get some pics outside of the hanger before we take off.

1

BLK85 is right, the AS350 is a great and reliable helicopter, used all over the world, from rescue missions to military and police operations, you will be fine !

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...