Airborne With the Flyboys of Los Angeles Helicopters

Blades of glory

Comments (0) By Gendy Alimurung Wednesday, Feb 20 2008

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Back at Los Angeles Helicopters' home base, I take a moment to come to grips with the sad fact that I'm back on land. Lucky passengers await their flights in the bright and cheerful lobby. Confidence-inspiring awards, certificates and photos of Rogers and Hutchings posing with various helicopter models line the walls next to funny and frightening safety posters. "Be alert around the helicopter ... never approach or leave uphill ... The helicopter's downwash will lift an amazing variety of things," one says, and then on and on, with the cartoon illustrations of hurtling kitchen sinks, Porta-potties, tents and sweaters.

Incidentally, if there is one take-home message, it's that the most dangerous part of the helicopter is not the two big samurai blades on the top, but the sweet little tail propeller, which spins faster than the eye can see. It slices off heads and arms and hands like a crazy pintsize ninja.

Jessica Miller

Ready for action: Los Angeles Helicopters’ chief flight instructor, Guillaume Maillet, left, and CEO Michael Rogers

Jessica Miller

Room with a view

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Los Angeles Helicopters, 4235 Donald Douglas Dr., Long Beach, (800) 976-HELI or www.lahelicopters.com. Introductory lesson, 30 minutes ground training, 30 minutes flight, $115. Flight-training school: private helicopter-pilot license, approx. 100 hours ($18,739); commercial pilot license ($36,995). Flightseeing tours include: "The Grand Excursion" (Palos Verdes cliffs, Beverly Hills, Sunset Strip, Griffith Park Observatory, downtown, etc.), $282. "The Catalina Odyssey" (explore coves and inaccessible beaches, land at highest point on island, with time for lunch or dinner), $389. "Temecula Wine-Tasting Tour," $482.