AwesomeFlight.com Blog

By: Keith Vitolo

There’s something special about two sixteen year old girls screaming with excitement as they’re getting high… There was the volume button, thankfully. The pier slowly began to disappear as we backed off the Heliport that beautiful August afternoon. The adventure had just begun.

So what was the occasion for this awesome helicopter adventure? A sweet sixteen birthday present. And was mom nervous? Absolutely terrified that the weather was not going to be perfect. But with a little luck the weather was beautiful!

Off we went (Mom, her daughter, and best friend) climbing to view the scenes of Downtown New York City from above. As we crossed via Canal Street sights such as the Financial District, New York Harbor, Brooklyn Bridge and many others could be seen. Then we swooped down by the Brooklyn Bridge for a closer look. What’s that? A waterfall?? Underneath the bridge??? Oh, that’s art. North we went on the East River checking out the United Nations building and Midtown Manhattan. Then the fork in the sky brought to mind a famous Yogi Berra quote, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” I asked the girls, ”Pending Air Traffic Control approval, would you like to fly over LaGuardia or Yankee Stadium? Needless to say the girls requested Yankee Stadium. Then after the request was approved I heard them chanting Darth Vader. I figured they must be pleased with the approval of LaGuardia Tower. But no; they were referring to the baseball player Derek Jeter. Getting high does have the side effect of slurred speech. A little jealous that every woman on the planet does not idolize the “Chopper Guy” I said “Is that what I have to tell women; that I’m a baseball player.” Over the stadium we witnessed batting practice and the girls start chanting Derek Jeter, Derek Jeter. They’re mom asks, ”How can you see him?” “They’re all Derek Jeter.” Okay, lower altitude…Oxygen please!

We completed the flight flying over the Henry Hudson Bridge and the George Washington Bridge, and then flew by Grant’s Tomb, Central Park, and Midtown Manhattan. One of the girls said, “You are the best mom.” I said to their mom “You might want to take note of this moment.” The girl responded with, “You are always the best mom!” As we came to a landing at the pier to load the rest of the family for a second flight, I’m sure that “Mom” had realizing the success of her mission.

Awesome Flight, LLC provides helicopter service in the New York Metro and surrounding areas. (Charters are by Davis Aviation, Inc. / FAA Certificate Number DO3A8931) Awesome Flight conducts Scenic Tours, Business Flights, Private Flights, Beach Trips, Photo/Film Flights and Flight Instruction. For more information check out www.awesomeflight.com, or call (914) 450-2635.