Crazy Helicopter Ride Stories

In reply to David S. Wallens :

I had one of those!! It was the coolest toy. I had so much fun with it. 

My Dad would occasionally ride in a helicopter to inspect the electric power lines. Sounded like the 90 degree corners were the fun part, sideways with G-forces.

My wife got picked up from high school by her father in a small helicopter once. She was mortified, yet thought it was pretty cool.

I realized a long time ago I am too - something, probably reckless - to be a surviving pilot, even though I've known a bunch (inc. family) and flown with several. Jumping out of planes is fun, though!

Old friend of mine flies Seahawks for the Navy. He has more and better stories involving vomit than any other 8 people I know.

In reply to David S. Wallens :

I had the VertiBird that was part of a styrofoam Coast Guard ship. Tons of fun!

I flew or got rides in a lot of interesting planes during my 20 aviation career, but I've never gone up in a helicopter. I keep hoping one of the UH-1 Hueys that travel around giving rides will pass through here so I can get a ride.

VolvoHeretic said:

The Washington DC plane crash made me think about two helicopter rides I got back in my younger days. When I was in grade school back in the 60s, our state fair had an independent vendor that was selling rides on a M.A.S.H. style whirlybird helicopter which my dad let my older brother and I ride on. What a thrill ride! 

My one and only helicopter ride was also in one of these, that had been turned into a crop duster, at the local fair. From the moment he throttled up it felt like it was going to shake its self to pieces, and I was 100% confident I wasn't going to make it out alive. 

Our old hospital has one amazing air ambulance pilot and I have watched him land 5 stories up on top of the roof many times and in unbelievable winds. Except for the time he hit his tail rotor on the catch fencing on the edge of the helipad and they had to crane it down to the street.

Our airbase also uses and practices on the hospital roof using Huey helicopters. Evidently, they can't place their full weight on the pad and have to hover somewhat.

You can see the gnawed off tail rotor tips below in photos provided by local news channels.

jharry3 said:

   I worked in the Gulf of America 

adam525i said:

Patiently waiting for AAZCD-Jon to show up!

I was copilot for one of the more experienced guys doing climbs and descents for the Sport Parachute Club up to 12,000. After all of the jumpers were away and clear Ed said, "Watch this." Smooth as silk he pulled the nose up as he rolled right. We went completely inverted, but still kept what felt like normal g-force into the seat. We came out of the roll, then held a 30 degree bank and dive the rest of the way down. In a front seat with access to controls it felt pretty good. Not sure I'd be as comfortable strapped into the back. *I just got called for a standby.   I'll give another one later. Just got called for a flight.

If TC dropping the Island Hoppers Hughes 500 down on the deck during the intro for Magnum  P.I. didn't make you want to fly choppers, well nothing short of Air Wolf would.

Went on a Grand Canyon helicopter tour. Thoroughly enjoyed. Would recommend. 

@Oshkosh Air venture they fly 10 of those MASH bubble helicopters on constant tours.

So, my helicopter story. 

A few years back, I went to Goodwood with Subaru. To bypass the traffic, we went to the track via helicopter. I know, very bougie. It was two rows with four, I think, across in the back seat. 

I’m not a fan of heights, tight confines and stuffy places. I was happy to land. Very.

On the way back, I sat up front. That was better. A little. 

For a treat, we got to go for a helicopter ride–and a Spitfire (not the car) was going to fly alongside.

Did I want to go?

Um, I guess?

I made sure to pee before getting on board. That was probably my smartest decision of the day. 

Hey, my favorite three things once again: heights, tight spaces, stuffiness.

This time we sat across from each other with our knees interlocked. I lucked into a window seat. Somehow I got out my phone and took some video. The person across from me said I looked like crap. I know he was right. Anyway, that video:

clutchsmoke said:

Went on a Grand Canyon helicopter tour. Thoroughly enjoyed. Would recommend. 

@Oshkosh Air venture they fly 10 of those MASH bubble helicopters on constant tours.

I was hiking in the Na Pali coast of Kauai and this tour helicopter came in loud and low. A freshly scrubbed couple gave a happy wave to which I replied with my best two-handed bird. Helicopters can be fun, and they can also be really annoying. 

I was a passenger on an H-53 as we flew under the San Francisco Bay Bridge in 1989. My brain knew  there was enough space, but it sure didn't look that way the closer we got. We were delivering an external load to Treasure Island and were not allowed to fly over the bridge.