Helicopter Ride

April

How many times have I gazed up from the car window on the choked-up 405, staring at helicopters whiz about the sky as if they own it? Finally I’d get my chance to be in one, and see L.A and its surroundings as it should be seen, far away from traffic, and with a peaceful birds-eye view.

Being a warm day, the pilot removed the door of the Robertson 44, adding a neat thrill as we gently lifted off the runway and were flying along the beach in seconds. I spotted some large dolphins just off shore and we circled them effortlessly – try doing that in a plane! Along Venice Beach, where I could practically wave to the freaky people, transitioning into Santa Monica and over the pier. A blue-sky day with excellent visibility, we flew above the Palisades and over some breathtaking houses. All I needed was a thick-zoomed camera and I would have been paparazzi. Especially when we flew over the Playboy Mansion grotto! It’s a wonder the stars can enjoy their swimming pools at all, but at lunch time we were practically the only bird in the sky. With headphones on, we could talk to each other and listen as the pilot pointed out the sights, oblivious to the noise of the rotors. Around the Getty, the spaghetti-string highways, along the Hollywood sign, I was seeing with my own eyes the images I’ve seen countless times in the movies. Within minutes we’re downtown, soaring amongst the buildings, and back out towards the sea, where we are given permission to cross the runways of LAX (it’s no wonder pilots are required to know and conform to strict regulations!) Finally, back to the airport, where the helicopter – a white mechanized dragonfly – slows along the runway, veers to the right and lands on the ground with all the turbulence of a pillow feather. Perhaps with tights and a red cape you might be able to get better views of the city, beaches and valley, but if your name isn’t Clarke and you’re not from Krypton, you might want to take a bite of this banana.
Perfect For: Anniversaries, Birthdays, Visitors from out of town