Ask any of our pilots what their favorite flights are, and most will say the ones with kids on board. There's nothing quite like a seven-year-old seeing a volcano crater for the first time through a headset microphone: "WHOA." Here's how to plan a helicopter experience your children will talk about for years.
Can Children Fly in Helicopters?
Yes — all ages are welcome on our family flights. Infants under two typically ride on a parent's lap with a dedicated lap belt; older children get their own seat, seatbelt and child-size headset. We brief families separately before boarding so kids know exactly what to expect, which turns nervous energy into excitement.
Choosing the Right Route by Age
- Under 8: Shorter is better. Our 15–30 minute gentle routes over the coast or the Central Valley are perfect — long enough to be magical, short enough to end before restlessness begins.
- Ages 9–12: The sweet spot. Kids this age love the 45-minute volcano and waterfall routes, especially when the pilot points out crocodiles in the rivers below.
- Teens: Give them the full experience — 60–90 minute expeditions, doors-off photography add-ons, or a heli-adventure combo like a waterfall landing.
Safety Comes First (Especially for Parents)
Every family flight is flown by a senior pilot with 3,000+ hours, in aircraft maintained under a factory-certified program, with full passenger insurance. We check weather before every departure and we simply don't fly if conditions aren't right — a free reschedule always beats a bumpy ride with children aboard.
Tips from Our Pilots
- Morning flights are smoother and cooler — and match most kids' energy peaks.
- Feed them first. A light snack an hour before flying keeps everyone happy; avoid heavy meals right before.
- Front seat for the photographer. If one parent wants photos, put them up front and the kids together in back with the other parent.
- Let the pilot know it's a first flight. Our pilots love doing a gentle "first takeoff" countdown for kids — 3, 2, 1, liftoff.
The First-Flight Certificate
Every child on their first helicopter flight with us receives a signed First Flight Certificate with their name, the date, and the route — a small thing that ends up framed on a lot of bedroom walls.
Making It the Highlight of the Trip
Families often pair a short scenic flight with a ground activity: fly to a waterfall landing for a swim, or combine the flight with a resort transfer so the journey itself becomes the adventure. Tell us your kids' ages when you request a quote, and we'll recommend the perfect route and aircraft.