Wings Over Kauai?
Dec 8th, 2004, 08:40 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wings Over Kauai?
Has anyone ever used this airplane tour company in Kauai? http://www.wingsoverkauai.com/
I'm considering booking this for our family vacation in June. It's much less expensive than the popular helicopter rides, and we're already comfortable in the type of airplane used since I fly one myself! You never know if the pilot might need a helping hand.....
I'm considering booking this for our family vacation in June. It's much less expensive than the popular helicopter rides, and we're already comfortable in the type of airplane used since I fly one myself! You never know if the pilot might need a helping hand.....
Dec 24th, 2004, 11:23 AM
#4
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm surprised no one has responded to your inquiry about fixed wing air tours. I have only taken the helicopter tour on Kauai and it was awesome. To really appreciate the grandeur of the scenery, I think low and slow is the way to go. I doubt if the plane would compare favorably with the helicopter.
Dec 26th, 2004, 12:01 AM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Since no one seems to know anything about this subject, I will post my experience if we should end up flying in the plane. BTW, for those of you who are not familiar with flying in a Cessna 172, you can fly pretty "Low & slow" in it, however you can't "Hover" like in a copter.....
Jul 6th, 2005, 07:35 AM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Wings Over Kauai" was awesome, and the price was right on! The airplane is a Cessna 172, a high-wing, single-engine airplane. The model airplane is great for sightseeing, and has an excellent safety record. "Wings Over Kauai" is a family-run operation, and they are VERY friendly and personable. Bruce, the pilot, does a wonderful job flying and narrating. He is open to personalizing your route to fly over what interests you the most. I still would like to tour Kauai in a helicopter (next time), however, the airplane ride is definitely a good alternative! Not only is it a very good value, but it is a "Tamer" ride than a helicopter for those that would prefer that. I found out the reason many people on this forum haven't heard of the operation is that it's only about a year old, and is a very small family company.
I would highly recommend "Wings Over Kauai" (airplane "Flightseeing).
http://wingsoverkauai.com/
I would highly recommend "Wings Over Kauai" (airplane "Flightseeing).
http://wingsoverkauai.com/
May 27th, 2007, 04:37 AM
#11
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We used Wings Over Kauai about a week ago and thought it was terrific. It's a LOT less expensive than the helitours, the pilot (Bruce) is very friendly and knowledgeable, and the ride is very smooth. Views from the plane are great, as all the seats are window seats.
One additional note that will be highly relevant to anyone who is nervous about flying-- planes are safer than copters, because planes can glide to a landing in the unlikely event of loss of power. I'm not suggesting that helicopters crash frequently, but you'll have more peace of mind with Wings Over Kauai if that is a concern for you.
One additional note that will be highly relevant to anyone who is nervous about flying-- planes are safer than copters, because planes can glide to a landing in the unlikely event of loss of power. I'm not suggesting that helicopters crash frequently, but you'll have more peace of mind with Wings Over Kauai if that is a concern for you.
May 27th, 2007, 10:12 AM
#12
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
schiang68, helicopters can autorotate to a landing in case of engine failure...a maneuver every chopper pilot must demonstrate on his or her private pilot checkride and, in the case of air taxi pilots, every six months.
Aug 30th, 2007, 05:30 PM
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When we went back in the summer of 2005 they were a new business, and that's why not many people knew about them. I would highly recommend them, and yes, the C-172 that they fly is generally much safer than any helicopter (I know this from personal experience as a private, instrument-rated pilot). I would GUESS that there is a higher percentage of successful no-power landings in a Cessna than in a helicopter auto-rotating...but that is just my guess. To further my hunch on the safety of helicopters, there were 2 back-to-back helicopter crashes with fatalities on Kauai just before our last trip in April '07. Coincidentally, some of the victims were from where we live in California. Sad.
Aug 31st, 2007, 02:35 AM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First off, I've never been in a helicopter, nor have I been to Kauai (or any other Hawaian island)... YET 
BUT, I have been in a 6-passenger Dehavilland Float plane in Alaska (to Anan Bear Observation Ctr) and the ride was nothing short of MAGICAL! I can not imagine the viewing and experience of Kauai - and it's breathtaking sites, to be any less awe-inspiring as in a helicopter (maybe I am worng - but just my guess).
Lisa
BUT, I have been in a 6-passenger Dehavilland Float plane in Alaska (to Anan Bear Observation Ctr) and the ride was nothing short of MAGICAL! I can not imagine the viewing and experience of Kauai - and it's breathtaking sites, to be any less awe-inspiring as in a helicopter (maybe I am worng - but just my guess).
Lisa
