We are planning on taking a helicopter tour of Kauai in April and the Hawaii Entertainment book has several companies listed where we can get a 25% discount. Does anyone have any experience with the following companies? Either good or bad!
MAUNA KEA, ISLAND HELICOPTER,AIR KAUAI,
Thanks for your help.
Pat

I don't have experience with your listed airline;but we flew with Jack Hartner . His operation is highly recommended. The fight was excellent and the pilot described everything in detail. He was very interesting.It Is A CLAA act. Look into them . they are on the net.

Hi Pat, i think we communicated a few months ago. My kids and I took Air Kauai. I heard afterward that we should have asked for Chuck as our pilot. Please be aware that the 2 middle back seats are lousy, as looking forward your main view will be of the backs of heads of the people in front of you. (Passengers are seated by weight, with the lightest people in front next to the pilot,with the best views) Also, that company played music on the headphones, which I found kind of manipulative/distracting. Many would disagree with me. I have also heard Jack Harter's flihts are great. Remember, you will be spending a LOT of money on this. I actually agree with Lenore Horowitz's advice in her excellent book "Underground Kauai Guide" that if funds are limited, a boat trip can be lots more fun for the family.

Pat, I don't know about the specific companies you mentioned, but I went with Jack Harter and it was fabulous! The pilot was VERY informative and there was a two-way radio so that we could talk to the pilot and ask questions. The windows could slide open for picture taking. They have an EXCELLENT safety record and they have clearance to fly extra low. I remember hovering about arm's length away (slight exaggeration) from a waterfall and looked up and there went some other company's helicopter way far up, whizzing by and not stopping to see the beautiful things that we saw. Not all outfits have the same clearance, or windows that open, or two-way radios. Don't know if that's worth $25 off for you. Don't settle for a boat ride in place of this, either. A helicopter ride is a MUST DO on Kauai - - you won't be disappointed!! In fact, go ahead and spring for the 90 minute ride. Sixty minutes is just a tease and leaves you wanting more. Hope you have a wonderful time!

I can highly recommend Air Kauai. I had the priveledge of sitting next to Chuck in the front seat on my tour. Chuck tells you to sit back & relax and that you'll go to where there's no civilization. I enjoyed the music on the headphones. His safety record was very important to me & that was the reason my family chose him. He doesn't take you to the "tourist" spots-so you may not see the Jurassic Park waterfall if that's important to you. We saw much much more! We went first thing in the morning and saw Waimea Canyon, Na Pail & the center of the island where it's the wettest place on earth. It was raining during our tour of Mount Waialeale-which made the numerous waterfalls something you'll never see anywhere else on earth. Better reserve quickly before he's booked up!

We flew with Jack Harter also, as said above.. A class act..We were lucky enough to fly with Jack himself and found him to be VERY informative.. Not a "get you there, get you back" type of flight like others I have been on..Takes the time to make sure everyone gets a great view..answers your questions over the two way headphones..all in all the best tour we have every taken..

We flew with a company who advertised itself as the "Ferrari" of helicopters. The pilot flew us into a waterfall in the canyon and landed nearby. We could talk to him thru the headphones - no music.He was based somewhere near the Poipu area.

Pat, I agree with Amy 100%. Air Kauai is a good outfit and informative. We went Dec. 1998 and had a beautiful flight. We did see the Jurassic Park waterfall and the NaPali coast was breathtaking. The fog/clouds were coming down and it gave any interesting effect while in the 'copter. We flew with Chuck and I was fortunate enough to sit next to him and had a fabulous view. Through the "bubble" the pictures still came out great!! Book early so you have a choice of when you go. Different helicopter outfits have different flight plans - they don't and can't fly all in the same area. decide what you want to see and ask if they fly there. They can't change their plans, but it might help you decide. I would highly recommend Air Kauai.

Thanks everyone for all your help. I appreciate all the good advice.
I should have also asked if anyone can give me a 'ballpark' figure on the cost of these flights. From what I have heard it is worth it, but would like an idea on how much to budget for.
Pat

Hi again Pat. As i recall, Air Kauai was about $125 per person after the discount thru the Entertainment book. The prices for the companies with longer rides(longer than an hour) might be about $200 per person.(??) Most of the companies have "800 "phone numbers and can tell you.