Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How experienced are your pilots?

Our pilots provide you with the best tour, excellent narration and knowledge of the island. We conduct training annually and all pilots must pass an FAA flight check. We also bring outside professional instructors into our company every year to evaluate and train our pilots in the latest techniques and information.

Q: When is the best time to fly?

What I would consider most is what works best for you. Living in Hawaii, we are fortunate to have great weather almost all the time. However, if the pilot determines the weather is not optimal for flying, you do have the option to reschedule your flight. That is why I suggest, if possible, always book your flight as early in your vacation as possible. That also gives you the opportunity to see the island from the air and then decide what you would like to drive to.

Q: Are we going to see lava?

Your chances are really good!! There is almost always lava. We have to remember that it is nature and it can change. But the pilot will do their very best to fly wherever the activity is.

Q: What should we wear?

Wear what ever is comfortable for you. If you are going to do the Volcano and Waterfall Landing tour, you need to wear tennis shoes since it is a little bit of a hike on some rocks. Also, if you are going to take pictures, darker colors are better because it reduces any reflections.

Q: What is the seating in the helicopter?

In our Hughes 500 (like the helicopter from Magnum P.I) it is all window seating. There are two passengers in the front with the pilot and two passengers in the back.

In our Bell 407, the seating is executive style (like a limousine). There is one passenger in the front with the pilot and five in the back. Two seats face the other three seats allowing you to see and talk to the person(s) you are flying with. Seating is assigned based on weight and balance which was approved by the FAA so we cannot guarantee seats. Because of the helicopters we fly, viewing is great from any of the seats.

Q: Should we take anti-motion sickness pills?

If you are prone to motion sickness, I would suggest taking something before you fly. Our helicopters do provide a smooth ride and most people do great!

Q: What are your hours of operation?

Our hours of operation are 7am - 10pm (HST) seven days a week. However, if you are interested in setting up a specialty flight, that can definitely be arranged.

Q: How long has Paradise Helicopters been in business?

Our company was started in 1997. Paradise Helicopters is dedicated to providing a personalized and friendly helicopter flight service to all of our customers. From the first phone call to the end of the flight our staff is trained to serve the client and give a personal touch to make everyone feel special. Paradise Helicopters is located on the Island of Hawaii with desks located at both major airports on the Island, Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport. We also have a location on the North Shore of Oahu.

Paradise Helicopters is not the biggest helicopter company on the island, but our service minded staff has been providing personalized service with Aloha for many years. Paradise Helicopters can provide the personalized service and amenities other Helicopter companies do not offer!

Q: Are there other flight options besides the ones on the website?

We can set up almost any flight you have in mind. If there is something special you want to do (have lunch at a private waterfall, land at the Green Sand Beach), let us know. We can arrange it.

Q: Do you offer videos of the flight?

We have chosen to have quality, professionally-filmed videos of the island highlighting all the beauty you will see on your flight.

Hawaiian words you should know

Aloha (Traditional) to share life or breath.

Alo - to share, ha - breath or life. Hawaiians greeted each other by touching forehead to forehead and nose to nose to allow a commingling of breath. By sharing breath they were also sharing a part of what gives us life. They used this gesture or custom to say hello and goodbye, in ceremonial rituals and to show affection towards one another therefore we have the modern meaning of aloha. (Modern) Hello, goodbye, or an expression of affection.

`Ae Yes
`Aina Land, earth
Ali`i Chief, chiefess, or royalty
Hana work
Heiau Pre-Christian shrine or place of worship
Hoa Friend
Hula The dance of Ha
Ipo Sweetheart
Imu An underground oven you will see at a luau
Kahuna A priest, minister, or an expert at any profession
Kai The ocean
Kama`aina Native born
Kane A man or boy
Kapu Sacred, taboo, forbidden, no trespassing
Keiki Child, offspring, or children
Kokua Help or give assistance
Lei A necklace of flowers, leaves, shells, feathers, etc.
Lua restroom
Lu`au Literally means young taro tops, but used for a Hawaiian feast
Mahalo Thanks, gratitude
Makai Ocean, used to mean 'toward the ocean'
Malihini A stranger, foreigner, tourist, etc.
Mauka Toward the mountains
Mana`o thought, idea or opinion
Ohana Family
Nui Big, large, great, or important
Ono Delicious or tasty, and also a wahoo, a type of fish
Pali Cliff, a steep hill or slope
Paniolo Hawaiian cowboy
Pau Finished, ended, all done
Pau Hana Finished work
Poi A paste made from pounded taro root
Puka hole
Wahine Woman, lady

Hawaiian helicopter tours are among the most breathtaking adventures available on earth. Although the natural landscape of the Hawaiian Islands is breathtaking from any angle, helicopter tours give you and your guests access to some of the most untouched and wild beauty in the world.

For the eco-conscious, helicopter tours offer a way to view the environment without disturbing the natural flora and fauna of the area. For the adventure-lover, there is no better way to get within 500 feet of hot, molten lava or to view a 2000-foot waterfall from a hovering vantage point so close you can almost feel the spray. For those simply looking to create an unforgettable vacation experience, the sights and sounds of Hawaii from the air allow you to experience as much of this island paradise as possible.

No matter what you're looking for, our helicopter tours provides the perfect opportunity to go places and see sites that only exist in most people's imaginations.