In a previous article,
(Bartscher) said:
In the mean time, if anyone with experience could paraphrase what the
procedures were and how well it went (i.e. can you get a good view, are there
tour helicopters everywhere, etc...), I'd appreciate it.
You stay about 3,500 feet, the helicopters stay below 3,000 feet, no
problem. Go early in the day when it's less crowded if you possibly can.
I've gone dozens of times, and only once seen another plane before noon.
Yesterday there were two other planes in the pattern at 3:30pm, and with
the convection making it hard to hold altitude, it was a little tense for
me.
The AFD (and the Canada Flight Supplement) detail the race-track pattern
you have to fly. You fly a right hand turn elliptical pattern - right
hand so that your passengers get a good view, elliptical so that everybody
gets a chance over the falls. There is a dedicated frequency to
self-announce on - the helicopter pilots are VERY laconic and concise - us
amateurs are generally more descriptive. The view at 3,500 is spectacular
and unique. My pictures at http://xcski.com/gallery/pt_iag do not do them
justice. Greg's pictures at
http://xcski.com/gallery/gp_iag are slightly
better.
Do it - you won't be sorry.
--
Paul Tomblin
http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
"He passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the
platform upon which he was standing collapsed." "I thought he was hanged?"
"That's what I said, isn't it?"