How smooth are the helicopter / twin engine tour planes?

[mpk]

My SO is not excited at all about an air tour. Has anyone taken one of the tours? Is it shaky, or causes airsickness?

Also, what kinds of helicopters and planes do they use? Are the reasonably new and well maintained?

[Yukon]

The smoothness or roughness of a flight depends on the weather - so every flight is different. If you go up on a windy day, it will be rough. A wide variety of planes and helicopters are used, with ages anywhere from nearly new to 50+ years in the case of planes such as the Beaver. Age is of no importance in a plane, though, because government (FAA) regulations enforce changing parts so often that a 70-year-old plane is as dependable as a new one.

Murray

[mpk]

That makes sense. But for someone already antsy to fly private, a gleaming new plane can calm the nerves [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[Yukon]

>>... a gleaming new plane can calm the nerves<<

That's the point - unless the pilot tells you (or you really know your planes), you won't know whether you're in a new plane or a well-maintained 50 year old one. If the plane looks like a "beater", you're definitely booked with the wrong company.

Murray

[LindaKE]

We had a really smoothe helicopter ride, but the weather WAS beautiful. One of the passengers was terrified before hand, then laughed at herself on the way back. We booked through the cruise ship.

LindaKE

Sun Princess(Alaska)
Carnival Inspiration

[Budget Queen]

I've done a lot of flying in Alaska (husband is also a private pilot- although I rarely go with him. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] ) As Yukon expertly mentions- no guarantees. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Expect movement!! And more felt in small aircraft. It's not for everyone- I have flown with terrified passengers and frankly some never liked it. So determine what the comfort level is and go from there. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]