Image: Colten Gonzalez-Hill Design Skip the Fright Fest Give your passengers a bucket-list experience, not a white-knuckle ride. By Chris Hill Ah, Halloween! A holiday filled with spooky surprises, haunted houses, and things that go bump in the night. But you know what will never be confused with a haunted house? Your helicopter. Unlike an amusement park ride, your helicopter isn’t designed to serve up heart-pounding thrills, and your passengers aren’t looking to be cast as extras in a low-budget horror film. Whether it’s someone’s bucket-list adventure or the most efficient way to their destination, your passengers expect a smooth, awe-inspiring journey—not a white-knuckle, adrenaline-fueled ride. As much as you might want it to be, your helicopter is not a fighter aircraft. Your passengers didn’t sign up for a Top Gun experience, as we explain in this month’s Spotlight on Safety feature (see poster at right and video below). What they’re really after is a chance to take in breathtaking views, feel the sensation of effortless flight, and walk away with lasting memories, not stories of terror or a place to dump their recently filled barf bag. As aviation professionals, it’s our responsibility to ensure passenger safety and comfort at every stage of the flight. So, let’s talk about how to keep the “boos” to a minimum and ensure that every flight delivers exactly what passengers are hoping for: an unforgettable experience for all the right reasons. Setting the Stage for Success Every successful flight starts long before the rotors even begin to turn. It begins with a solid preflight safety briefing that covers all the essentials. This isn’t just a formality; it’s a critical step in making sure passengers understand the importance of following instructions and what to expect during every phase of the flight. Overcommunicating with clarity is key. A thorough safety briefing includes details on seatbelts, emergency exits, and passenger behavior. Remind them to buckle up securely and stay that way, keep their hands and feet inside the aircraft, and stay seated throughout the entire flight. After all, helicopter flight isn’t the place for risky behavior or improvisation. Keeping things simple and clear can prevent misunderstandings or confusion once airborne. Securing Everything—and Everyone One of the biggest concerns during a helicopter flight is ensuring that passengers and their belongings stay safely in place. Loose items such as phones, bags, or hats can easily become dangerous projectiles, often referred to as missile hazards in turbulent conditions, potentially blocking or damaging critical flight controls. While passengers might be eager to snap pictures of the view, it’s important to make sure they understand the risks of unsecured items and keep them safely stored—or better yet, leave them out of the cabin entirely. This is one area that cannot be overemphasized, as several fatal helicopter accidents have been attributed to unsecured items obstructing flight controls and impacting rotor systems. Ground operations are just as important. Make sure passengers know the safest route when approaching or departing the helicopter. A well-orchestrated boarding and deplaning process keeps everyone safe and prevents accidents. These small details go a long way toward maintaining professionalism and ensuring the experience remains smooth and safe literally every step along the way. Managing Expectations Regarding Passenger Safety Once in the air, make it crystal clear to passengers that their safety will remain paramount through all phases of flight. While their enjoyment and the chance to capture stunning photos and precious memories might be the sole purpose of the flight, it will never trump their safety and comfort. If weather, mechanical issues, or any other safety concerns arise, let passengers know you’ll continue the flight only if their safety can be absolutely assured. If things get dicey, let them know that returning to base, diverting to an alternate site, and choosing to Land & LIVE are always on the menu and are far better options than continuing flight in deteriorating conditions. Your Role as Ambassador In many cases, this may be your passengers’ first and only helicopter experience. The impression you leave with them will shape not just their views of you and your company, but of the entire helicopter industry. Remember, we’re the ambassadors of vertical aviation. Each flight we operate contributes to the current and future perception of the industry we love. Delivering an unforgettable flight experience doesn’t mean turning it into a nail-biting thrill ride. It’s about giving your passengers the chance to enjoy the wonder of flight in a safe, comfortable environment. Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime tour over the Grand Canyon or a routine flight between destinations, it’s up to you to ensure that every passenger walks away with fond memories—not tales of terror. As pilots and operators, we have the privilege of offering bucket-list moments that people will treasure for a lifetime. Let’s make sure they’re coming back for more, eager for their next adventure, all because you gave them an experience worth remembering—one filled with joy and wonder, not fear and dread. Chris Hill is VAI’s senior director of safety. After an aviation career in the US Army and Coast Guard, Chris Hill oversaw aviation safety management systems throughout the USCG as aviation safety manager. He holds an ATP rating and has logged more than 5,000 flight hours, primarily in military and commercial helicopters. Hi, I'm Chris DeJoy
