Cancellation Policy

A 72-hour cancellation or change of tour notice is required for all helicopter tours. If for any reason you decide to cancel or change your reservation, you must notify us 72-hours prior to the tour date. Sorry, cancellations or changes made within 72-hour of the tour are not refundable and will be charged in full. All flights are weather permitting. If for any reason a flight was cancelled due to the weather, your ticket will be fully refunded or you may choose to re-schedule your tour plans. Please note that flight route and destinations may be changed due to weather conditions.

Last Minute Bookings

Please be aware that these bookings are subject to confirmation. If this is a same-day or next-day booking, there is a reasonable chance this will not be confirmed. For bookings that are confirmed, there will be no cancellations or refunds.

Restrictions

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people can a helicopter hold? How is the seating done? Can I sit up front?
Our fleet of Astar helicopters seat (accommodate) six passengers plus your pilot. The weight & balance of the helicopter is computer generated and insures proper seat assignment. This system is used to equally distribute the weight, ensuring the pilot a level and safe flying platform. Both fore/aft and lateral balance are considered along with overall total weight of the helicopter. There are two seats to the left of the pilot and four seats directly behind. Our helicopters are made for touring, so each seat provides an excellent view for all passengers. Special requests for certain seats will be granted if allowed by our weight and balance system. Safety is our #1 concern.

Do you have a set schedule? What?s the best time to fly?
No, we do not have a set schedule. Tours are established solely upon your request of tour area, day and time. We will fly any tour anytime at your request, weather permitting. We suggest you book (reserve) your flight in advance to ensure availability. All of our tours offer an excellent view, and any flight time whether morning or afternoon should be fantastic.

What?s the best tour?
Each of our tours highlights particular areas of interest. Within these areas are many points of interest. We find our guests enjoy each of our offered tours. Repeat flyers generally choose an alternate tour, however sometimes passengers take the same tour over and over again. Also, each pilot choreographs his own music, narration and scenic sights so no flights are the same. Please select the tour that meets your flight-seeing desires

Can we bring a camera? Best camera lens?
Cameras are permitted on board and recommended. We have found through guest comments that a 35mm with ASA 400 or higher with a wide-angle lens works good. Our tours offer some of the most unique photo-taking opportunities anywhere on the planet. We have disposable cameras for sale in our logo shop. Your pilot will create a video of your actual flight utilizing our camera system which includes a cabin camera and nose camera (sold separately).

Does the wind affect the helicopter?
Helicopters unlike planes have no fixed wings. The main rotors act as a gyro and stabilize the helicopter in gusty conditions. If wind and gust are such that it will cause an uncomfortable flight, tours will be canceled. Your safety and comfort are our #1 concern.

What is your policy with weather?
We fly when it is safe and enjoyable; if the pilot feels that we will not provide a good quality tour, the tour will be cancelled. We will re-schedule based on availability or cancel if guest is unable to reschedule.

What should I wear? Why do you recommend dark clothes? Will I be comfortable?
Clothing should be comfortable and casual. Dark shirts or tops are recommended for photo taking. Bright colored clothing may put a reflective glare on the helicopter plexiglass windows and reflect in your photos. Dark clothing helps to eliminate the reflection. Our climate control system keeps our helicopters at a comfortable temperature for the entire flight.

Do people get sick? Should I take Dramamine?
Although most of our guests enjoy our flights with no discomfort at all, some guests are prone to motion sickness. If this applies to you, we would recommend taking Dramamine or a similar product. As with all medicines, consult with your doctor before use. All of our flights are sightseeing tours and our pilots take pride in providing the smoothest, safest, and most enjoyable tours available. Helicopters have Aloha bags on board if needed

How long have we been in business?
Founded in 1985, the company grew from one leased Bell 206B fourpassenger helicopter based at Kahului, Maui to present day ten owned helicopters including Astar 350 FX's and WhisperSTAR EC 130 B4's with operational bases at Kahului, Maui, Hapuna Heliport on the Big Island, Hawaii, Lihue and Princeville Airport on Kauai and Henderson Executive Airport in Las Vegas.

Are there restrooms on the helicopter?
No, helicopters are not equipped with restrooms. We do provide restroom facilities at each of our departure/landing sites.

How experienced are your pilots?
We are proud to provide our guests with some of the most experienced pilots in the islands. Each of our pilots receives extensive company and factory training. 

Safety Programs
We are extremely proud to be certified by the Tour Operations Program of Safety (T.O.P.S.). T.O.P.S. is a national organization dedicated to safety as the number one priority with the mission of making helicopter sightseeing tours among the safest type of flying possible. T.O.P.S. goes beyond the requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations with higher standards for management, pilot qualification and training, maintenance, ground support personnel and aircraft equipment. Annual independent safety audits are required with review by the organizations audit committee. T.O.P.S. associate members include helicopter manufacturers, aviation insurance brokers and underwriters and aviation safety consultants, all committed to raising the bar for flight seeing operations.

We are a Federal Aviation Administration certified Part 135 Air Carrier. This certification requires a company to operate to a higher standard and within an FAA approved operations and training program. The company is closely monitored by the FAA to ensure compliance with the approved methods of operations and training. This assures the public of a higher standard of safety. Most aviation experts advise customers to fly only with approved FAA Air Carriers. 

Am I guaranteed to see everything in your tour description?
Tour descriptions are based on what sites have been most requested in the area to be toured. Every attempt will be made by our pilots to cover each site described or requested by you, weather permitting. Pilots will adjust their flight path for wind and weather. We have many alternate sites to recommend. You will have the very best helicopter tour of Hawaii! Again, your safety and comfort are our #1 concern.

Can we fly tours at night?
FAA requires all tours must fly between Sunrise and Sunset; no tour may depart before sunrise and all tours must be on the ground before the sun sets.