Explore Perth from up high in a helicopter! Thanks to Rotorvation Helicopters, I got to fly in a Eurocopter EC120, the newest addition to their fleet.
Looking for a unique way to explore Perth? How about exploring it from a higher perspective in a helicopter! It’s one of the more exciting activities you can do and is a great idea for gifts, photographic opportunities, celebrations, marriage proposals, or even that special tinder date in your life.
About Rotorvation Helicopters
Rotorvation conducts tourism and scenic flights from their hangar based at Jandakot Airport, just south of the city of Perth. Their large modern fleet makes it easy to book flights seven days a week, even on short notice.
Their scenic flights on offer include Hillarys Boat Harbour, Fremantle and the coastline, winery and golf tours, Rottnest Island charters, a Perth CBD fly over OR a tailor-your-own flight (i.e. weddings, celebrations, corporate charters and functions). Want to learn to fly a helicopter? They can teach you that too.
Feeling flash inside Rotorvation’s luxuriously new and modern helicopter, the Eurocopter.
My VIP Experience
I received the special opportunity by one of WA’s leading pilots, Mike from Rotorvation Helicopters, to test-drive (well not drive, more like fly, but not fly, more like sit obediently in the back passenger seat) their new helicopter – the flashy Eurocopter EC120. Whoa, now we’re talking.
The Eurocopter is big, red, and very shiny – mmm, just my style. But let’s not just focus on appearances! Inside, it boasts extra comfort with its plush leather seats and offers optimum visibility with larger windows. In addition, it has seating for a pilot, co-pilot and 3 passengers. This is ideal for VIP Transport, personnel charters and sight seeing. With a top speed of 260 km per hour and a range of 600 km, it has very few rivals in the helicopter industry – so yeah, it’s kind of a big deal.
Could it be the ‘Ferrari of the skies?’ With a glitzy name like ‘Eurocopter’ and it being obviously red, I definitely think so!
Take a look below at my photos and experience of the day:
A VIP Experience – inside Rotorvation headquarters at Jandakot, viewing their fleet. As you can see, the new Eurocopter (top right) is larger in size compared to the other models in their fleet, like the Robinsons R22’s and R44 for example.
Here I am pictured with the tail rotor! Eurocopter Technical Trivia #1: The main rotor diameter is 10m. Now watch me gaze awkwardly into your eyes.
Safety is absolutely paramount to Rotorvation. Here, our instructor Mike, is inspecting the Eurocopter, ensuring everything is in working order. By the way, that’s the air filter on the left, it’s big isn’t it! lol!
A look at the engine: Eurocopter Technical Trivia #2: Consists of 1× Turbomecha Arrius 2F, 376 kW (504 shp)
Using a gadget thingi-mah-bob to slide the Eurocopter out of the headquarters gently. Easy does it now. Eurocopter Trivia #2: Length is 11.5m with a height of 3.4m.
Mike is not only a great pilot and safety-checker, he’s also an impeccable photographer too!
Can’t forget the boyfriend. Obligatory couples bragging photo “we’re about to fly in a big shiny thing above the ground!”. Upload to Facebook, check.
More safety checks happen outside before flight. Mike is on the ball! Rotorvation take safety VERY seriously!
Look at me. I AM THE CAPTAIN NOW!
A look at the Eurocopter’s controls. Ah yeah, seems easy enough.
The Eurocopter has larger windows than others in the fleet, giving passengers optimum visibility.
Mike and his colleague gave us a full safety debrief on the Eurocopter and what to do in the very unlikely case of an emergency landing.
Ground Control to Major Tom. Me in selfie mode!
And off we launch towards the coast from Jandakot! Rate of climb was 7.6 m/s (1,500 ft/min) going for a normal cruise speed at 120 kt (222 km/h).
Looking over Fremantle Port and its massive ships!
Flying over from south of the river while going up the Fremantle coastline.
A look back at Perth City, with haze fog surrounding it. The Swan River is glistening.
Urban Sprawl – compared to other cities around the world, Perth is very clean and well organised in its layout.
Flying up the coastline to Hillary’s Boat Harbour. That’s the scenic West Coast Drive below, a popular scenic drive route for joggers, tradies that like to whistle at joggers, and people to show off their luxuriously expensive cars.
Approaching Hillary’s Marina. Taking the gorgeous view in.
Waving to people at the Hillary’s Boat Harbour Lighthouse.
About to land on Rotorvation’s exclusive Helipad at Hillary’s Boat Harbour.
There it is – ‘H’ marks the spot.
The Eurocopter landing at Hillary’s.
And off she goes again!
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IN SUMMARY
If you love flying (or at least don’t mind it) and you want to see Perth from a different perspective, then a helicopter flight is for you.
My exclusive ride from Jandakot to Hillary’s Boat Harbour was a fun and memorable experience. Mike was an excellent pilot, extremely informative and a joy to fly with. I was also impressed with their length of safety checks at Jandakot right at the start – Mike and co checked the Eurocopter’s every nook and cranny to ensure it was ready for the day’s itinerary. There were no shortcuts – they take safety seriously and they truly place their customers first.
I highly recommend doing a helicopter flight experience – it’s a refreshing perspective to see a birdseye view on our city, and it really makes you appreciate it all the more. While some may argue Perth can be a little ‘boring’ and ‘backward’ at times, there is no denying that we live in one of the most cleanest, greenest, non-polluted coastal cities in the world. So let’s start appreciating it.
Scroll down for their Tour & Booking Information Below:
One of Rotorvation’s Robinson helicopters flying over Hillary’s Boat Harbour. Stunning views of the coastline.
HELICOPTER SCENIC TOURS FROM HILLARYS BOAT HARBOUR
From their exclusive Hillary’s Boat Harbour Helipad, Rotorvation Helicopters do the following Hillary’s Marina-based Scenic Tours (which pick you up and drop you off at Hillary’s Boat Harbour). Here’s the details:
Hillary’s Beaches Budget – $89 per person / Hillarys Beaches Extended – $178 per person
– Duration: 8 minutes approx – budget / 15 Minutes approx – extended
– Experience the thrill & excitement of a helictoper flight at a budget price.
– Views of Hillarys Boat Harbour, coastline, Swan River, Perth City and coastline.
Perth City Tour – $249 per person
– Duration: 25 minutes approx
– Views of Hillarys Boat Harbour, coastline, Swan River, Bell Tower , Kings Park and an orbit of the Perth city block.
The Grand Tour – $299 per person
– Duration: 30 minutes approx
– Views of Hillarys Boat Harbour, coastline from Scarborough Beach to the Fremantle Port. Also Swan River, Kings Park, The Arena, Patterson Stadium and orbit of Perth City.
Rottnest Transfers – from $339 per person
– Fly to the island for a day tour from a private Rotorvation helicopter. Enjoy stunning views with one way, return flights or Helicopter Ferry packages available to choose from.
Bookings essential – book online at www.rotorvation.com.au/book-helicopter-flights-online, or through the Rottnest Fast Ferries ticket office at Hillarys Boat Harbour. Alternatively, you can call 08 9414 8584.
*All prices dated as of 26/05/2016 from time of my writing. Flights operate weekends, subject to availability. Single seats are available, however there may be others on your flight.
Occasionally due to medical priority aircrafts, fire bombing aircrafts, low cloud or other reasons, Rotorvation may not receive clearance from air traffic control to fly to Perth City. In this case the pilot will ensure the same flight time but access to Perth City will not be available.*
Map of Hillary’s Boat Harbour – ‘H’ is where the Rotorvation helipad is.
Not ready to book, but just want to watch their helicopters in action?
No worries, you can do that too. Visit the Rotorvation Helipad at Hillary’s Boat Harbour to see their helicopters in action – picking up and dropping off pre-booked customers.
Rotorvation’s branded ute – look out for it!
Thanks Mike and Rotorvation – I had a great time! I’ll likely be coming back one day soon to start those helicopter training flights (I’d like to be prepared in the case of a zombie apocalypse or natural disaster).
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Have you ever done a helicopter scenic flight? Are you a fan of the Eurocopter too? Share with me your experiences and thoughts in the comment section below. I’d love to read them!
