Helicopter tours provide spectacular ocean and mountain views
By Alex Wilson 07/29/2010
An Oxnard helicopter company now offers tours ovsaer Channel Islands National Park and other scenic locations to provide a unique perspective on the area’s natural beauty.
I recently took a flight over the Santa Barbara Channel and Anacapa Island, where we spotted hundreds of dolphins from a fantastic overhead angle that’s much different than that experienced from a boat.
We also enjoyed views of racing sailboats, scuba diving boats and the tall sailing ship Bill of Rights, whose passengers waved up toward the bright yellow aircraft. The boats and landmarks on Anacapa, including the historic lighthouse and Arch Rock, looked a little like toy models from high in the air.
The trips by Channel Islands Helicopters depart from Oxnard Airport, and passengers are quickly treated to views of the Channel Islands Harbor, beaches and coastal neighborhoods. Once the aircraft crosses over the ocean water, there’s a feeling of tranquility and connection with the wild environment of the vast ocean.
Chief Pilot Dan Casey says people are amazed at how quickly they’re whisked off to the Islands. “We can get to Anacapa in about seven minutes, and that’s really extraordinary for people to experience, it blows their minds. It’s unbelievable” says Casey.
The tours started operating a few months ago and everyone is excited about helping people to appreciate the area’s stunning scenic resources. “This is the closest airport to Channel Islands National Park. It’s only about 17 miles to Anacapa,” says Casey. “No one else was doing helicopter tours out to the islands, and it’s like we have a Grand Canyon out there and nobody got to see it from a small helicopter.”
Those aboard also spot whales from the air during certain times of year, and help out the captains of much slower whale watching boats by sharing their location over a radio. “Whale-watching from a helicopter is the best, because you don’t just see the blowhole, or the spout, or just the tail or fin on the back. You see the whole whale,” says Casey.
Flying over the ocean is something many helicopters are not equipped to do. What makes it possible for this one is that it’s a specially equipped Robinson R44 Clipper version that has floats on the landing skids that can be inflated quickly with helium for an emergency water landing. The other aspect of the business is maintaining helicopters, so the one used for tours is always in top condition and has a perfect safety record.
Tours can be customized, and some people prefer the mountains near Ojai or the Malibu coastline. “We have tours that fly down to Malibu and fly over star homes. Younger people and people into pop culture like seeing where people live,” says Casey.
Some customers are initially apprehensive about riding in a helicopter, but the fear usually turns quickly to excitement. “Some people come and are scared to even get in the helicopter; and it starts and they’re a little scared, but as soon as we take off and hover down the taxiway, they’re like, ‘This is awesome. Let’s go for it,’ ” says Casey.
Andrew Kolb of Ventura also took the island tour, and said he’s never seen so many dolphins or such an amazing view of the local coastline. “It was absolutely incredible. It was peaceful. You see it from a different angle, like the lighthouse. The pilots were really knowledgeable, so it was nice to get the guided tour,” says Kolb.
More information is available on the website at www.channelislandsheli.com or by calling 512-1371.
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Comments
What do you know about tours over Ojai? How are they permitted to fly over residential areas?