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My First Flight
This weekend I had the opportunity to do some aerial shots for Davis County.
I had never flown in a helicopter before so I was pretty nervous. Not about anything in particular just the unknown I guess. Still, it was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
I met my pilot Alex at the Ogden airport at 8 in the morning. Within 10 minutes we were up and flying.
The doors were removed so that it was not obstructing the view for the photos. This made it a little on the nippy side but was way doable.
This is Alex and the helicopter we took
We followed down I-15 to Davis County. The top speed we got was around 125 mph. It seemed a little slower except all the landmarks you could see on I-15 were whipping by. I took a few shots on the way out but I was on the west side so not a lot to see.
We shot above the fairgrounds and county jail for about 15-20 minutes and then headed back. On the way back he cut across Hill Field so I saw a lot of things I hadn't really seen before. Especially from above.
Here is a shot just before we landed from above Ogden airport.
As we were coming back in to Ogden Alex asked if I wanted to try a glide in landing. He then explained to me that he would kill the motor and we would float down (auto rotation technique). This is a style they practice in case the helicopter motor dies while in flight. I decided, what the heck. When will I have this chance again.
It was the best part of the flight. Below is a short is a short video of it. (It can be better viewed directly on youtube by clicking here) I was holding the camera on my lap. If you listen close, you can here the engine shut down(about 35 seconds into the video), we then drop very rapidly(a pretty good weightless feeling) and then he turns it back on I think about 10 feet above the ground. Maybe a little more but it was very close.
I am looking forward to another flight soon. If anyone wants to go in on one, let me know. If we could get three people it would be a lot cheaper. I know this won't be my last flight and if you get the chance, don't even think about it. Just do it!
Doug
I had never flown in a helicopter before so I was pretty nervous. Not about anything in particular just the unknown I guess. Still, it was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
I met my pilot Alex at the Ogden airport at 8 in the morning. Within 10 minutes we were up and flying.
The doors were removed so that it was not obstructing the view for the photos. This made it a little on the nippy side but was way doable.
This is Alex and the helicopter we took
We followed down I-15 to Davis County. The top speed we got was around 125 mph. It seemed a little slower except all the landmarks you could see on I-15 were whipping by. I took a few shots on the way out but I was on the west side so not a lot to see.
We shot above the fairgrounds and county jail for about 15-20 minutes and then headed back. On the way back he cut across Hill Field so I saw a lot of things I hadn't really seen before. Especially from above.
Here is a shot just before we landed from above Ogden airport.
As we were coming back in to Ogden Alex asked if I wanted to try a glide in landing. He then explained to me that he would kill the motor and we would float down (auto rotation technique). This is a style they practice in case the helicopter motor dies while in flight. I decided, what the heck. When will I have this chance again.
It was the best part of the flight. Below is a short is a short video of it. (It can be better viewed directly on youtube by clicking here) I was holding the camera on my lap. If you listen close, you can here the engine shut down(about 35 seconds into the video), we then drop very rapidly(a pretty good weightless feeling) and then he turns it back on I think about 10 feet above the ground. Maybe a little more but it was very close.
I am looking forward to another flight soon. If anyone wants to go in on one, let me know. If we could get three people it would be a lot cheaper. I know this won't be my last flight and if you get the chance, don't even think about it. Just do it!
Doug
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Comment by Jeff E Jensen on September 19, 2010 at 8:50pm -
Wow, that is pretty dang cool!
I'd love to go up sometime, how much would it cost?
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Comment by Simspix on September 19, 2010 at 9:52pm -
We should do it Jeff.
It was $400/hr billed in 1/10 of an hour increments. No minimum. So that is $40 for every 1/10 of an hour or 6 minutes.
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Comment by Rusty "Sidewinder" Sessions on September 20, 2010 at 12:38am -
Very cool video! I would be game for another flight as well so keep me informed! It is quite addicting lol
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Comment by Lorie Rogerson on September 20, 2010 at 12:50pm -
I'm working on my private pilot's license and LOVE going up! Unfortunately, my hands are on the yoke so I haven't been able to shoot any photos. I might be interested in going up in the chopper so let me know.
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Comment by Simspix on September 20, 2010 at 12:56pm
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You guys have a place you would want to fly or photograph?
I would love to fly through downtown SLC.
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Comment by Lorie Rogerson on September 20, 2010 at 12:57pm
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Actually, downtown SLC would be on the top of my list
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Comment by Simspix on September 20, 2010 at 1:02pm
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Cool. The guy I flew with was an excellent pilot but I think he flies out of Ogden but maybe he has something in the North Salt Lake Airport.
Do you know any good helicopter pilots on this end of the valley?
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Comment by Lorie Rogerson on September 20, 2010 at 1:05pm
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My instructor flies out of South Valley Regional in West Jordan but does so in planes. I know he's taken people out for pics before and he's a great guy. Are you set on having the ride be in a chopper? If so, I can ask him for a chopper pilot reference?
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Comment by Simspix on September 20, 2010 at 1:07pm
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Not necessarily a helicopter. How low can they fly the planes and any idea on rates?
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Comment by Lorie Rogerson on September 20, 2010 at 1:13pm
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Flights are generally limited to 1,000 feet above populated areas but not sure about special uses, etc. Downtown is obviously within SLInternational's domain so other restrictions might apply. I'll shoot Doug an email and ask what he can and can't do, as well as ask about rates (which will mostly will depend on the plane, fyi).
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