As the resident helicopter flight instructor in AOPA's Pilot Information Center, I am often told, "I'd love to learn to fly a helicopter-it has always been on my bucket list." My response is usually a dry, "Why haven't you?" Helicopters have always held a certain mystique for the general aviation fixed-wing community, and it perplexes me. Are they expensive? Sure. A two-seat helicopter such as a Robinson R22 rents for about $300 an hour. But so are other pursuits such as golf, sailing, and skiing. Flying a helicopter will open your eyes to the world of flight in a way you don't experience in a fixed-wing aircraft. This is not to argue which is better; each has its own advantages. Like some slow-flying aircraft, a helicopter allows you to fly at a low altitude and see what is on the ground. But in a helicopter, if you see something that catches your eye and you want to look into it further, you can turn around and hover. Want to land in that creek bed, shut it down, and explore? Perfectly fine, provided you have permission.
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