Frequently Asked Questions

Our helicopter base is located at Atlantic Aviation West, 67 Tower Road, Harrison, NY 10604 within Westchester County Airport. The location can easily be accessed by the Metro-North railroad from Grand Central Terminal to White Plains (~35 minutes express) then a quick taxi or Uber (~10 minutes). Parking is free.

Yes, except for New Year’s Day (January 1st), Yom Kippur, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day (December 25th).

In the event we are unable to fly due to weather, maintenance, or other unforeseen circumstances, we will attempt to notify you at least 2 hours prior to your scheduled flight. Please review the cancellation policy on the booking platform or document used for your reservation. Cancellations made in accordance with this policy are eligible for rescheduling within one year of the original booking date or before the gift card expiration date.

We accept all major credit cards, PayPal and Venmo and Zelle. Fees apply.

Gratuities for your pilot are never expected but always appreciated, at your discretion.

Yes but wheelchair users will need to transfer from the wheelchair onto the helicopter and be able to sit in their seat with their legs bent. Ground personnel is happy to assist and will keep the wheelchair for the duration of the flight. Oxygen tanks are not permitted on board for safety reasons.

• Robinson R44: Each passenger can weigh up to 250 lbs (113 kg), with a combined limit of 500 lbs (226 kg) for 2–3 passengers, excluding the pilot. The maximum passenger height is 6 ft 3 in (192 cm) in this aircraft.
• Airbus AS350 / AS355: These larger helicopters can accommodate up to 6 passengers with a combined weight of 1,000 lbs (453 kg), excluding the pilot. There is no individual height or weight limit, as long as the seatbelt can be safely and comfortably closed around each passenger. Passengers over 250 lbs (113 kg) will likely need 2 seats.

If you’re unsure, just let us know your group’s details and we’ll be happy to help you choose the right helicopter. For baggage allowances, please refer to our Fleet.

It depends on how you’re feeling. If you’re generally not prone to motion sickness, you should be ok, but please check with your doctor first.

Yes. Waivers are available in multiple languages and are emailed with the booking confirmation. 

Yes. Gift certificates are sent via email in a printable PDF format and are valid for one year.

We love surprises and will do our best to bring even the most unusual ideas to life, as long as they are safe and legal. Ask to speak with a member of our team and we’ll take it from there.

Our helicopter charter service area covers the Northeast United States. Helicopters can fly approximately 2.5 hours, 300 miles nonstop.

Although we don’t operate any airplanes, we can source fixed wing aircraft through our trusted partners.

With the exception of our newly launched Westchester-NYC commuter flights our charters are private.

We generally need at least 2-4 hours notice for charters depending on the day’s schedule. We recommend booking several days in advance, especially in the peak summer season. We may be able to assist with same-day requests if there is availability.

Some standard routes can be booked on our website. Custom charters can be booked by completing an electronic booking form that will be emailed to you. Your charter will be confirmed once we receive the signed form back with a form of payment.

Please refer to our Fleet listing.

No, there are no rooftop helipads in NYC anymore. There are three heliports in Manhattan open to the public: West 30th Street Heliport, East 34th Street Heliport, and Downtown Skyport.

Most of our tours depart from our Westchester County Airport home base in White Plains, NY. We also offer private scenic charters departing from Manhattan heliports.

If you are only visiting New York for a short time, we recommend booking your helicopter tour for the first day of your trip and keeping an alternate date open as a backup. This flexibility is important, as flights may need to be rescheduled due to weather, maintenance, airspace restrictions, or other operational considerations common in aviation.

Shared means you will be flying with other people. Shared tours require a minimum of 2-4 passengers to operate (depending on aircraft availability). On private tours, it’s just your group and the pilot.

• 30-minute NYC tours departing from Westchester focus on Midtown and Uptown Manhattan, but do not reach Lower Manhattan or the Statue of Liberty area. Please book a 45-minute tour if you wish to see these landmarks on your tour.
• 30-minute NYC scenic charters departing from Manhattan cover all major landmarks in and around Manhattan Island, including the Statue of Liberty area. 45-minute scenic charters also fly beyond the city, towards the suburbs and the Hudson Valley.

Please refer to this page for a tour map.

All ages are welcome on tours. Children younger than 2 years may ride for free on their parent’s lap. Anyone aged 2 years or older must sit in their own seat.

No, but children younger than 2 years fly for free on their parent’s lap.

NYC tours departing from Westchester are available between 10 AM – 8:30 PM daily. NYC scenic charters departing from Manhattan are available between 10 AM – 6 PM on weekdays and between 11 AM – 4 PM on weekends.

Fall foliage tours departing from Westchester are available between 10 AM – 4:00 PM daily, from September 15th to November 15th. Fall foliage charters departing from Manhattan are available between 10 AM – 4 PM on weekdays and between 11 AM – 4 PM on weekends, from September 15th to November 15th.

Yes, by using multiple helicopters and/or doing multiple flights.

Yes, but picture-taking at airports and heliports is restricted. There is no limit on pictures or videos once you’re in the air. Airplane mode is not necessary.

In our Airbus helicopters typically 1-2 people sit on the front next to the pilot and 3-4 people sit in the back. In our smaller Robinson helicopters 1 person sits on the front and 2 people sit in the back. All seats are forward-facing and visibility is great from every angle thanks to the large windows.

Anything comfortable but not too loose is OK. Avoid long scarves and hats that can fly off. Dress for the season but please know the helicopters are climate controlled.

For safety reasons, all tours are conducted with closed doors. However, there is plenty of window surface available for picture taking.

The first step towards your goal is to take an introductory flight lesson. This experience will give you a feel for the flight training process before you commit your time and resources to it. Once you decide to move forward, you’ll have to supply certain documents and pass a medical examination.

Our flight training operations are conducted in the R44 helicopter. We no longer use the S300 (Schweizer), Robinson R22 or Guimbal Cabri G2 models.

Please contact us for pricing.

Unfortunately, as a Part 61 flight school, we are not set up to accept the G.I. bill, or similar government-funded programs. Please contact a Part 141 flight school.

We do not provide visa assistance, but international students are welcome with TSA approval.

The recommended minimum age for flight lessons is 14 years (parental consent needed). You have to be at least 17 years old to take your practical test (checkride) but you can definitely start training earlier. There is no age maximum for flight lessons, however, if you decide to pursue flight training, you’ll have to be able pass a medical examination.

We accept all major credit cards, PayPal, Venmo and Zelle. We also offer financing through PayPal Credit. Fees apply.

Yes, if weight limitations allow it. Riding along to watch your loved one flying the helicopter is optional and an additional passenger fee applies.

We can help you with anything from local aerial photography projects to commercial movie production. Check out our film credits!

We own and operate multiple helicopters. Speak with a representative about the best type of aircraft for your project.

Yes, we can provide aerial cameras, camera operators, film pilots and more. Please speak with a representative about your project.