Here are some Frequently Asked Questions and answers about tour flights from East Texas Helicopters.
What kind of helicopter will we be riding in? How old is the helicopter and how often is it maintained?
East Texas Helicopters operates a new 2009 certified Robinson Raven II R-44. The helicopter goes under a complete three day commercial inspection every 100 hours of service by a certified Robinson service center.
How loud is the ride?
With the Bose noise canceling head sets the ride will be much quieter than riding down the highway in a modern luxury car.
How smooth is the ride?
As long as the winds are below 20 mph, the flight is as smooth as riding in a motor vehicle. On the really calm days the flight is actually smoother than riding in a car.
How high will we be flying and how fast will we be going?
The tours flights will range in altitude of 1000 to 1500 feet off of the ground. Although the helicopter has capabilities of traveling at speeds up to 150 mph, the tours are done at around 100 mph. This will feel like you are going about 25 mph because of the distance from the ground.
Will we need a coat? Is it going to be hot inside the helicopter if it is hot outside?
Dress however you would like. The helicopter is fully equipped with air conditioning and heating. The cabin can be adjusted to any temperature that you desire.
May we bring a camera?
Any kind of camera is encouraged.
Pipeline Patrol/Well Checking
Helicopters cut down the amount of time and help cut man hours for your crew on oil or gas operations. Helicopters can fly lower and slower than fixed winged air craft which makes it easier to map out possible encroachments on those existing lines.
Power Line Patrol
Whether mountainous terrain, private property, or overhead lines that follow roads, aerial patrols in helicopters are multiple times faster. With an aerial view it is easy to inspect the top side of poles for deterioration or overgrown vegetation.
Pipeline and powerline patrol flights are billed at $550 per hour.
Please call for details or appointment.
Phone: 903.570.2840
Real Estate | Farm & Ranch | Hunting Lease Surveys
Aerial surveys are a great tool in real estate. Are you trying to sell a large ranch and can't seem to show the property efficiently? Taking up prospective clients in a helicopter is a great way to get the whole perspective to view areas that might be in a flood plain or areas that are not suitable for driving an off road vehicle. Helicopters are also a great way to obtain photographs to make your listings stand out ahead of the competition.
Whether you are trying to GPS where the ducks are or just wanting to survey your hunting lease, helicopters are the only way! For the anglers out there we also do lake surveys too.
Aerial Surveys are billed at $550 per hour and there is a $300 minimum charge. Price includes up to 3 passengers not including pilot.
Call for details or appointment
Phone: 903.570.2840
Lake Tyler/Downtown Tour -30 Minutes - $300 price includes up to 3 guests
On this tour you will fly the full length of Broadway into downtown where you will get an amazing view over the city before heading out to see all of lake Tyler from a birds eye view.
Downtown Longview/Lake Cherokee/Kilgore - 45 Minutes - $440 price includes up to 3 guests
This tour will include all of downtown Longview and local areas of your choice, and offers breathtaking views of Lake Cherokee.
TXU Coal Mines/Downtown Longview/Kilgore 60 Minutes - $550 price includes up to 3 guests
The tour takes you through downtown Kilgore, over Lake Cherokee, and then to the coal pits of the TXU coal mines. Here you will see their entire mining operation including their power plant were all the coal is taken for the production of energy.
Custom Tours
Custom tours can be designed to your own route for any special events you may have. Helicopter tours are great ideas for many things such as anniversaries, proposal ideas, birthday gifts, or even an adventurous date. Tour flights may depart from several different locations. Prices will depend on the length of the tour. Please see terms and restrictions below before scheduling a tour.
Private Charters
If you are needing to travel to a remote location without a nearby airport in a short amount of time, or if you're looking to do something extravagant with your significant other, we can help. Traveling by helicopter can cut your travel time in half. Private Charters can accommodate up to 3 passengers with luggage. We travel as the crow flies at 125 mph. Charters are available from the Tyler/Longview area direct to the downtown Dallas heliport. From there, transportation can be arranged into downtown very easily---without the hassle of the airport. Shreveport/Bossier City charters from the Tyler/Longview area are also available. See below for Terms, Restrictions, and Pricing.
Locate your home or property from the air
If you have ever been curious to know what is located behind your property, this is the flight for you. Feel free to bring cameras to take pictures of everything you discover. Locate and survey from the air nearly any location you desire. Flights can include up to three passengers. Most flights can be done in less than one hour due to a high cruise speed of 125 mph.
Private events at your location
If you are hosting a private party and want a helicopter to fly out to your ranch or open recreational area for tours we can help. All landing areas for private events must be pre-approved by a pilot. Please call to discuss any details. The helicopter will be billed at $550 per hour and there is a one hour minimum for rides at your location.
Terms - Restrictions - Pricing
Helicopter tours may include up to 3 guests, no more than 275 lbs. per seat and 610 lbs. may not be exceeded with all 3 guests. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult at all times and no children under the age of 4 will be permitted.
All private tours are made by appointment only and done seven days a week when schedule permits. All scheduled tours may be canceled at any time due to inclement weather, but will be rescheduled when weather permits. For more information on tours visit the About Us page.
Helicopter flights will be billed out at $550/hour with a $300 minimum. All flights after 2 pm on Saturdays, all day on Sundays, Holidays, and Holiday weekends are subject to different pricing.
All deposits made for flights occurring after 2 pm on Saturdays must be cancelled completely on the Friday before in order to receive full refund. If flight is cancelled on day of event for any reason by client or by weather then only 50% will be returned. This is due to the fact that a pilot still has to be on staff in order to take flight if weather permits.
East Texas Helicopters is in compliance with the letter of authorization issued under 91.147 and is authorized to conduct commercial air tours operations under Title 14 code of the Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 91.147. East Texas Helicopters does comply with the requirements of 14CFR Part 121 Appendices I and J and 49CFR Part 40 for its anti-drug testing and alcohol misuse prevention program.
Helicopters have doors off capability making it a crystal clear picture without any glass obstruction to shoot through. The lower altitudes and slower speeds make for detailed photos.
The helicopter and photographer are billed at $650 per hour with a 1 hour minimum. Usually every property of which a customer would want pictures can be done in an hour. Images are provided in raw format on DVD. The customer can then take this disk and print as many copies as he or she would like.
For the customers who want to take their own photographs from the helicopter with their own camera, the price will be $550 per hour. Only a $300 minimum.
Please call for details or appointment.
Phone: 903.570.2840
Email: easttexashelicopters@gmail.com
Below are examples of photography from the helicopter.
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