On The Fly With Maverick Helicopters

See the Grand Canyon in a Jet Helicopter! For years Maverick Helicopters has been providing a true VIP Helicopter experience of the Grand Canyon. We do things a little different...see how
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MORE than a mile deep at its most majestic, the Grand Canyon can still drop the most jaded of jaws. The sun sparkling across the exposed rock, the delicate curl of the Colorado River, the birds chirping in the pinyon pines — and then a bus grinds past you on a hunt for the best postcards in the park. Yes, the Grand Canyon is big in every way, including the category of tourist trap. Over four million people visit this remote corner of Arizona each year, and the experience can be a bit “death by gift shop,” if you don’t plan ahead — a necessity even if crowds and kitsch are your thing. During peak season, May through September, hotel rooms sell out months in advance, ditto for those mule rides, and certain rafting trips can be a year-long wait or more. Ah, wilderness!

Read more of the New York Times run down of the Grand Canyon http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/05/31/travel/31hours.html?ref=travel

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It’s normal to be afraid. Statistics show that one out of every six adults has a fear of flying. Here are some things to remember that may make you feel better about going on a flight with us.

First of all, we are rigorous and uncompromising in our aircraft maintenance and safety standards. In fact, our safety record is among the best in the industry. Secondly, our pilots are not only among the cream of the crop in terms of experience, but they’re also very friendly and reassuring. They’ll let you know what to expect at all times during your flight.

Another tip to help keep you calm is to avoid coffee or caffeine products before the tour, as they might add to your anxiety. Also, be sure to take time to breathe deeply as often as you can during the flight to avoid hyperventilating.

Something you may not realize about traveling in a helicopter is that there’s no sudden lurching or dropping feeling—like the kind you would experience on a roller coaster. The motion is very smooth and steady. If you still have doubts, you might consider enrolling in a class designed for those who are afraid to fly. Or there’s an audio assistance program you can purchase online and even take onboard with you. For more information about it, go to http://www.fearofflyinghelp.com/.

Finally, just remind yourself that air travel is among the safest modes of transportation in the world. Would you believe it’s far more dangerous to ride in your car than it is fly in a helicopter to the bottom of the Grand Canyon? So don’t let fear keep you from this amazing sightseeing adventure!

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This is a tough question to answer because the Grand Canyon is like a piece of artwork that is constantly changing. There’s something spectacular to see all year long! For example, those of you who like greenery might prefer a flight in spring. Desert wildflowers, which add beautiful pops of color to the landscape, tend to be in bloom throughout the summer. Fall is a lovely time to see the trees of the forest on the North Rim changing hues. And the scenery is breathtaking in winter when the area is covered with a soft white blanket of snow. So you could take a flight at four different times of the year and have four completely different viewing experiences. It all comes down to your personal preference.

Two things you might also keep in mind about deciding when to take an air tour are the weather and your tolerance for crowds. The climate is moderate throughout spring and summer if you favor warm temperatures. However, that’s peak season at both the Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon West, so they’ll be packed with visitors. If you want to avoid the crowds, you might consider going at an off-peak time in either late fall or winter—but the temperatures will be much lower.

No matter when you decide to go, you can rest assured that Maverick Helicopters will be conducting daily tours all year long (unless weather conditions prohibit flying, which is rare).

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You might be surprised to find out that there are a lot of fun events held in and around the Grand Canyon each year. In fact, during Memorial Weekend, there will be demonstrations of tribal dances held at Grand Canyon Village.

Rendezvous Days is also scheduled in nearby Williams at the Kaibab National Forest Visitors Center from May 23-25. You’ll discover lots of interpretive displays covering the history of the area, the Northern Arizona Native American culture and the nostalgic importance of Route 66, which passes through the city.

Speaking of historic Route 66, there will also be a fun run motorcycle rally called Rumble on Route 66 from June 19-21. This event will feature performances by the Cadillac Angels and 44 Rimfire, along with a bike show, the Motorcycle Swap Meet and a special Northern Arizona ride. Visit http://www.rumbleonroute66.com/ for more information.



Although fireworks are prohibited at the Grand Canyon at all times due to the high risk of forest fires, there will be some patriotic parades and celebrations held in Tusayan, Williams, Flagstaff and Page on July 4—and afterward you can continue the celebration with a picnic lunch in the Grand Canyon National Park.

One of the most popular events is the Grand Canyon Chamber Music Festival. It will be held at the Shrine of the Ages in Grand Canyon Village from Sept. 11-26. This is the 26th season for the festival, which includes weekend and mid-week concerts right out in the park that showcase a variety of styles of chamber music and celebrate the environment. For a list of musicians and bands participating, go to
http://grandcanyonmusicfest.org/press.htm.

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You will be asked to present a photo ID to check in for a flight with Maverick Helicopters, Maverick Helicopters South Rim, Maverick Airlines and Mustang Helicopters. To make sure things go smoothly, bring a driver’s license, passport, military ID or even school ID with you. Other types of photo ID may also be acceptable. The main reason for presenting a photo ID is that we need to verify that the picture and name match that of the person who is flying. FAA regulations require this. Once you’ve shown a photo ID, you’ll be quickly and discreetly weighed. This is important for helicopters because the balance changes with every flight. Afterward you can relax in the lounge, and very soon you’ll be called to board an aircraft.

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It can be difficult to capture one of the world’s natural wonders in pictures. Of course, the main problem with the Grand Canyon is that it’s so massive. There’s just no way to fit everything in one simple shot. So if you can afford it, we recommend getting a panoramic camera so that you can capture the whole of it. Many of today’s digital cameras do have a “panorama” or “stitch” mode. If yours does, then use it. Basically, the display will show you the last picture you’ve taken along with a live view to help you frame your next picture. In this way, you can line up a series of images. (Note: a lot of overlap is good because software programs will be able to stitch the photos together more easily.) If you don’t use a panoramic camera or have a panorama mode, you can try getting a great shot with the landscape setting on your camera. A good tip is to look at other photographs of the Grand Canyon in brochures or on postcards, and then simply copy the angles that those photographers used.



For more information on photo tips http://www.maverickhelicopter.com/photo_tips_maheli.php

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Getting married with us couldn’t be more romantic—or stress-free. First, you’ll get to select from exotic and breathtakingly beautiful destinations, like the Grand Canyon or the Valley of Fire. Our in-house wedding coordinator, Leanne Semenza, will go through a list of options with you and then handle all of the arrangements. On your big day, you’ll be picked up by a limousine and brought to our main terminal, where the minister will meet with you briefly to iron out any details about the ceremony. At that point, you’ll board a private helicopter and be whisked away—as will your wedding party and guests, if you’ve chosen to have them in attendance. Your wedding site is private, although you may spy other sightseeing helicopters off in the distance. Be assured that they will be far enough away and won’t interfere with your wedding. After the ceremony, based on your selected options, you’ll have time to enjoy champagne, cake, hors d’oeuvres—and, of course, the memorable setting that has played such a big part in your special celebration of love.

Planning that special day visit http://www.maverickhelicopter.com/weddings.php

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Many of our tours at Grand Canyon West include a landing 3,500 feet below the rim. Several picnic tables with umbrellas for sun protection have been set up in a scenic spot near the landing site. It’s about 300 feet above the mighty Colorado River. While you sit back and take in the view, you’ll often be served drinks, snacks or a light lunch—depending on your tour package. It’s a surreal moment, as we’re sure that no restaurant can offer you the chance to enjoy a bite in such a remote and breathtaking beautiful place!

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All of our helicopters are outfitted with surround sound stereo systems, and each passenger gets a headset with a voice-activated microphone to wear. During a tour, our pilots will point out various sights and provide some trivia and historical information. Through the microphone, you’ll be able to ask them questions as well as chat with other passengers. You’ll also hear music. The playlist in each helicopter is different depending on the pilot who is flying. The pilots have picked some of their favorite songs to match the narration. You’ll likely get to listen to a few rock classics on your flight. For example, on a recent “Vegas Nights” tour, pilot Chris Spircu lifted the helicopter off the ground to the tune of Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger,” and as he circled Downtown Las Vegas, Elvis’ “Viva Las Vegas” could be heard.

Tour inside our ECO-STAR Helicopters http://www.maverickhelicopter.com/ecostar.php

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British Airways to fly Las Vegas-London direct

LAS VEGAS (AP) — More Britons may be heading to Las Vegas this fall.
British Airways says it is adding a new nonstop daily flight between McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas and London's Heathrow Airport. The service will begin in late October.
Airline officials say they consider Las Vegas a growth opportunity for the company, despite the slowdown in the tourism industry. British Airways flies daily flights to the U.K. from 18 other U.S. cities.
Las Vegas tourism officials welcomed the news. Visitors' bureau vice president Cathy Tull says the flight is a result of a decade of work to bring British Airways to the airport.

To read more of this article http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jbbuJOGpISafkyM7ys8XSwO6Z7NAD9887V4G0

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Riding in one of our ECO-Star helicopters is not only a thrilling experience, but it’s also a luxurious expedition. The spacious cabins (which are 23% larger than those on most other helicopters) offer comfortable, leather seating for seven passengers and a pilot. All of the seats face forward. The feeling is similar to being at a theater—minus the popcorn. And you’ll quickly discover there’s no better way to enjoy the show that nature will lay before you than through the wraparound glass, which offers unobstructed viewing. It’s no wonder our helicopters are often referred to as “limousines in the sky.”

To take a tour of our ECO-Star visit http://www.maverickhelicopter.com/ecostar.php

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At Maverick Aviation Group, we realize you often want to have both panoramic and close-up experiences when you go to the Grand Canyon. There’s just nothing like setting foot on this natural wonder! Thus, many of our tours offer ground components that vary in length. For example, if you travel to the South Rim via a Maverick Airlines flight, you’ll spend 90 minutes on the ground during the Canyon Dream tour and two hours on the ground during the Grand Canyon Explorer tour. If you take a Maverick Airlines flight to the West Rim, you’ll get to spend even longer on the ground—i.e., two hours and 30 minutes during the Western Territory tour. You can also opt to visit the West Rim of the Grand Canyon on a Maverick Helicopters’ tour, which departs from our main terminal on Las Vegas Boulevard. You’ll get to spend 30 minutes on the ground after landing 3,500 feet below the canyon’s rim as part of both the Wind Dancer and Wind Dancer Sunset tours. The Indian Territory tour also features a two-hour visit on the rim, in addition to the 30-minute landing below the rim. Please keep in mind that all of these ground times are approximations, and they may need to be adjusted slightly on your actual tour.

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Incentive ideas: Itineraries in Las Vegas can include horse-riding, hiking and mountain-biking against an array of stunning backdrops. Top of the list of these, is the Grand Canyon, which can be accessed via road or air using helicopter charter companies such as Maverick, situated by the Welcome to Las Vegas neon road sign. It operates 34 helicopters, with five flights an hour to the canyon. The company also offers 15-minute night flights over the Las Vegas strip, a wine tour flight to a winery over Red Rock Canyon, and bespoke charter flights for groups that require total exclusivity.

For more event planner tips to Las Vegas visit http://www.citmagazine.com/news/features/902072/Event-planners-guide-to-Las-Vegas/

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Overall Impression Our half day helicopter excursion was an air and land adventure over Las Vegas and Lake Mead through the Grand Canyon, to the new Grand Canyon Skywalk and the Hualapai American Indian reservation in Arizona and back to Las Vegas. Flying to the reservation was the fastest and most efficient way to get there from Las Vegas.

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Wind Dancer - Las Vegas Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours - Air Tours

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Valley of Fire is Nevada’s first and largest state park. Its name sounds passionate and dramatic—and with all the remarkable red sandstone formations and multi-colored hoodoos, the landscape certainly evokes both of these adjectives, too. The Valley of Fire is located just 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas. That’s a 40-minute drive via the I-15 North or a 20-minute helicopter flight. Some of the amazing rocks are named for their shapes—like the Beehives, the Seven Sisters, Elephant Rock, Arch Rock and Atlatl Rock. Another spectacular area is the White Domes, a cluster of rounded sandstone rocks with brilliant contrasting colors. Perhaps the most scenic point at the park is Rainbow Vista. The overlook offers a stunning panorama of the Valley of Fire, stretching out for miles in the distance. Mounds of pink, orange and yellow sandstone rocks rise like waves rolling on a rough ocean. Many of our helicopter tours go there around sunset because that’s when the rocks are most striking—and eerie, as the desert shadows lengthen around them. At the Valley of Fire, you can also see ancient petroglyphs as well as lizards and other desert wildlife out sunning themselves. The park is accessible year round, and you can learn all about its history at the visitors’ center, which is open daily from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

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What are the "actual" tour times?
From liftoff to touchdown at Maverick Helicopters’ main terminal, here’s a list of the “APPROXIMATE tour times” for our most popular excursions:

Vegas Nights – 15-20 minutes
Wind Dancer – 2 hours, 20 minutes
Wind Dancer Sunset – 2 hours, 40 minutes
Silver Cloud – 90 minutes
Dream Catcher Sunset – 2 hours, 40 minutes
Indian Territory – 5 hours
Maverick Rafting – 8 hours

These times may be off by a few minutes because helicopters often stop to refuel on the return trip. The sunset excursions are dependant on the actual time that the sun sets, so their actual tour times may also vary by a few minutes.

In all of the tour descriptions on our website, you may notice the duration of the excursions is longer than the actual tours times outlined here and includes the phrase “hotel to hotel.” This is because additional time—usually an hour or more—has been factored in for ground transfer to and from your hotel.

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If you have a business in tourism this is a great article....

Reasons to be cheerful
Agents should be assured that the recession is not denting the strong interest in Brits’ favourite long haul holiday destination. Visit USA members are reporting that US bound travellers are still committing to their holidays Stateside, but that three distinct trends are emerging. First, consumers are making enquiries much closer to their planned departure date than has previously been the case. Secondly, the number of enquiries is very high compared to the number of bookings, demonstrating that consumers are really shopping around, not necessarily to get the cheapest deal but to get the best value on offer in the marketplace. And lastly, consumers are biding their time before actually confirming their booking. In the current economic climate, none of these trends is unexpected, but it is good to know that the US still firmly features in people’s travel plans. And there are a number of positive factors working in their favour: -
· Travellers are still researching their holiday destination. The Visit USA website has never been busier and continues to be massively ahead of 2008 with site visitors up 350% compared with last year and brochure requests expected to beat last year's record total of 20,000

·Many Visit USA tour operator members bought the dollar currency needed for their 2009 programmes in 2008 and therefore travellers can still benefit from last year's exceptional rates

·Back to reality, the Pound Sterling to US Dollar exchange rate is now running at close to $1.50, which is not so very different from the average exchange rates of the past decade, a period which saw UK travellers to the USA grow from 3.8 million in 2002 to 4.6 million in 2008

·As can be expected, US suppliers are not just sitting back waiting for the recession to go away. They are reacting very positively to the situation by creating travel bargains and added value offers to ensure that travellers stay with their US travel plans. Airlines, hotels, car rental and attractions have all been sharpening their pencils and travellers will really benefit

· Major US holiday destinations like Florida, California, New York and Las Vegas have embarked upon expanded promotional programmes to attract UK travellers to their cities and beaches

·In the USA, work continues apace to get the Travel Promotion Act through Congress and which, if enacted, should result in a substantial increase in marketing activities to attract visitors to the USA

Peter Moss, Chairman of the Visit USA Association said “Clearly the USA continues to be high on the list of consumer’s long haul holiday options - despite the current economic backdrop. By a very wide margin, the USA is still the UK traveller’s favourite long haul holiday destination - as well as being the USA’s biggest overseas origin market. The USA has a holiday to suit every taste and budget - which is why UK travellers continue to return there in their millions every year - including 2009.”

Check out the video from the British Travel Channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkUHXwZ9Uh4

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What is the weather like there?
Temperatures can vary greatly at the South Rim depending on the season. Summers are usually moderate and highs tend to be in the 80s on the rim. Spring and fall are a bit chillier with highs in the 50s to low 70s. Since the South Rim is more than 7,000 feet above sea level, it does snow in the winter (i.e., from November through February). Also, as a general rule, temperatures on the canyon’s floor are about 20 degrees higher than what you’ll find on the rim.

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What’s the best way to get there?
There are several ways to get to the South Rim. Driving is the slowest method, and the journey can take up to five hours. Basically, you’ll follow Hwy. 93 south to the I-40. Then you’ll head east on the I-40 to Hwy. 64, which you’ll take north all the way to the South Rim. This isn’t a bad option if you have a lot of time available and like to drive long distances. But if you have time constraints, Maverick Airlines offers flights directly to the South Rim from Las Vegas. They depart from the nearby Henderson Executive Airport and take only 40 minutes. These flights are combined with a variety of awe-inspiring sightseeing options—including ground transfer to the Grand Canyon National Park and 25- to 45-minute helicopter tours through the Dragon Corridor, which pass over the Kaibab National Forest and above the widest and deepest part of the canyon.

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How far is the South Rim of the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas?
The South Rim is located 278 miles from Las Vegas. It’s the most popular part of the Grand Canyon. The majority of the five million tourists who visit each year go here.

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The last time anyone traveled by horse between Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon it was as part of a group of covered wagons. Although the idea may sound fun and adventurous, it’s likely to take you more than day to get there…and that’s on a fast, strong horse. Plus, you’ll be exposed to the elements, which in summer means a lot of time in the hot, hot sun. Even a cowboy would choose to go by helicopter!

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It takes two hours and 30 minutes to get to the West Rim by car. You simply head south on US-93, crossing over Hoover Dam and following the signs toward Phoenix. After about 70 miles, you’ll turn left onto Pierce Ferry Road and keep going for 28 miles. Then, you’ll turn right onto Diamond Bar Road and follow it all the way to the end—where you’ll find the entrance to Grand Canyon West. Unfortunately, this part of the road will be a little bumpy because it’s unpaved. Now, if you have kids in tow, you might want tack on an extra hour in travel time—for things like bathroom breaks, juice boxes and roadside time outs. Since the scenery features mile upon mile of barren desert, kids tend to get bored quickly. Tip: Bring a portable DVD player along or rent a car that has one.

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The West Rim of the Grand Canyon, which is also known as Grand Canyon West, is located 121 miles from Las Vegas.

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