Helicopters are the most versatile flying machines in
existence today. This versatility gives the pilot complete access to
three-dimensional space in a way that no airplane can. If you have ever
flown in a helicopter you know that its abilities are exhilarating. The
flexibility of helicopters means that they can fly almost anywhere.
.
Helicopters have a
number of unique abilities - The signature of a helicopter is its ability
to hover over one point on the ground. While hovering, it can also spin
on its axis so that the pilot can look in any direction. Another unique
feature are their ability to fly backwards and sideways.
Helicopters are not
allowed to fly in
bad weather by law. These conditions include Snow,
Sleet, Rain or heavy cloud - all the conditions that are are not suited
to a tourist, sightseeing flight.
The Heli-pad in
Courchevel is situated near
Courchevel Altiport at an altitude of approximately
2000m. The Courchevel helipad is a proper
heli-station where some flights
i.e. from Switzerland to France that need to go through passport control
land here to do so.
You should arrive to meet the helicopter 10 minutes before
the requested time. This ensures that you are waiting for the helicopter
and NOT the helicopter waiting for you. Once the helicopter has landed
the pilot will either keep the engine running or will switch it off all
together.
.
If the engine is kept running someone will jump out and call
you over safely to the helicopter. PLEASE duck down when approaching the
helicopter, Ladies if you have long hair PLEASE hold it down and OBEY the
instructions that you are being given.
.
If the pilot does switch the engines off PLEASE wait until
the rotors have fully stopped rotating before making your way to the
helicopter. As the the rotors slow down they bow at the ends closest to
you.
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When in the helicopter you will need to put your seatbelts on
and if available may be asked to wear headsets. someone will close the
doors for you.
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Fly over the
Olympic sites, snow covered mountains or over to the Mont Blanc Massif.
.
Maiden Flight - Courchevel Valley - 15 minutes
Three Vallees Flight - 30 minutes
Haute Tarentaise - 30 minutes
Mont Blanc - 60 minutes
.
After the flight when the helicopter has landed if the engine
is being left on, there will be someone waiting to open the doors to let
you out and then close the doors behind you. If the engines are switched
off PLEASE don't open the doors until the pilot tells you to do so when
the rotors have finally stopped rotating.
.
Why not fly by helicopter to a
different resort to take
part in another activity and get the best of both worlds, or fly to and
be dropped off at a
mountain restaurant ....
There are no
restrictions to taking part in a
scenic sightseeing helicopter tourist
flight. A Helicopter flight is one of the activities that can be enjoyed
by all the family no matter the age.
There are NO dress
codes for flying in a helicopter - just for you own comfort Whitetracks
would suggest that you wear your ski clothing with a pair of shoes or
walking boots. Ski Boots are allowed to be worn in the helicopters.
Minimum
- 5 -
unless you wish to pay for the EMPTY SPACES
.
Maximum
-5/6 - dependant on the helicopter
.
Helicopters are the
same price if you have 1 or 5 passengers in the helicopter. To be more
cost effective on a
tourist sightseeing helicopter flight it is better to
fill all the passenger seats. If there are only 2/3 or 4 that wish to
take part then you will have to pay for all 5 spaces.
Six seater
helicopters available on request.
Flying a helicopter
is complicated. The pilot has to think in three-dimensions and must use
both arms and legs constantly to keep the helicopter in the air. Piloting
a helicopter requires a great deal of training and skill, as well as
continuous attention to the machine.
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To control a
helicopter, one hand grasps a control called the cyclic, which controls
the lateral direction of the helicopter (including forward, backward,
left and right). The other hand grasps a control called the collective,
which controls the up and down motion of the helicopter (and also
controls engine speed). The pilot's feet rest on pedals that control the
tail rotor, which allows the helicopter to rotate in either direction on
its axis. It takes both hands and both feet to fly a helicopter.
