Vegas and the Grand Canyon from the air

On May 5, I hopped into an Eurocopter EC-130 from Maverick Helicopters as a passenger and took to the skies over Las Vegas, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, the Colorado River and parts of the Grand Canyon. An exciting ride indeed!

(above) Stopping for lunch in the Grand Canyon, on a ridge above the Colorado River. The views were striking as the helicopter flew into the Canyon.

(above) View of the "Strip", Caesar's Palace (foreground), Paris (left/center), Bellagio (far right) and other casino hotels.

(above) Flying past the towering Stratosphere at the north end of the Strip (I went on the rides at the top the day before).

(above) Flying over Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.

(above) Spectacular view of the Colorado River.

Copyright © 2008 A.C. Frieden. No reproduction permitted.

Flying over Buenos Aires

At the end of December 2007, I visited Buenos Aires, Argentina, and had the pleasure of going flying in a Robinson 44 helicopter over various parts of the city. The flight started from San Fernando (SADF) airfield and landed at AeroPark Airport downtown.

(above) Taking off from San Fernando airfield.

(above) The R-44 helicopter after landing at AeroPark Airport near downtown.

(above) Flying along the northern coast of the city (the Belgrano neighborhood), with the Rio de la Plata on the left.

(above) A cruise ship docked at the city's main port.

(above and below) Flying over the La Boca district and its famous stadium.

(above) Flying over the naval facilities, including an area where old submarines are being dismantled.

(above) Flying over the chic neighborhood of Puerto Madero.

(above) Flying along Avenida Figueroa Alcorta, you can see the Facultad de Derecho (Law School) building and to the right the Plaza Naciones Unidas (United Nations Plaza), with its circular reflecting pool which houses the Floralis Genérica, a huge mechanical flower erected by the architect Eduardo Catalano.

Copyright © 2008 A.C. Frieden. No reproduction permitted.

Helicopter Flight Over St. Lucia

In December 1991, I went on vacation to St. Lucia in the Caribbean. There I took a helicopter ride along the west coast of the island nation, beginning in the capital, Castries, and heading down to Soufriere, which was near my resort at Anse Chastenet. A splendid flight even though it was overcast.

(above) The Bell 206 helicopter.

(above) Taking off from and flying over the port in Castries, the capital.

(above) New resorts being built near Castries.

(above) Island north a mile north of Castries.

(above and below) the town of Soufriere.





(above) banana plantations near Perou.


(above) The main oil terminal at Grande Cul DeSac Bay.

(above) Returning to Castries.

(above) Flying over Runway 27 at George Charles Airport in Castries.

Flying Over the Swiss Alps

In June 1991, I went flying in an Alouette III helicopter from Sion Airport, in the Valais (southwestern Switzerland). It was one of the most scenic flights I've ever taken.

The Great Barrier Reef by Helicopter

Info/photos coming soon.

Biplane Aerobatic Flight Over Australia's East Coast

Info/photos coming soon.

Hot Air Ballooning over Surfers Paradise, Australia

info/pictures coming soon.

New Zealand from the Air

In June 1990, I headed to New Zealand, Australia and Hawaii for a one-month vacation with former classmates. Early in the trip, I arrived in Rotorua, New Zealand, and was told that a seaplane service was available nearby. I just couldn't resist, and this was one of the first flights that convinced me to pursue a pilot's license the moment I returned home.

Above: The Cessna being fueled before take-off from Lake Rotorua.

Above: My friends and I before the flight.

Above: Flying over Pan Lake, located in the "Echo Crater" (foreground), and "Inferno Crater" (back) in the Waimangu Geyser area, near Lake Rotomahana. There is substantial hydrothermic activity in this area and several major eruptions occured in the early- to mid-19th century.

Above: The hills surround Lake Tarawera.

Above: The Te Whekau lagoon (curiously with the water in the shape of Australia).

Above/below: Lake Okataina.

Above: The town and shores of Lake Okareka.

Above: A major lumber yard near Rotorua.

Above: The apron at Rotorua's lakefront airport.

Above: Back over Rotorua for a smooth water landing.

A WEEK LATER... I was again in the cockpit, but this time in a very different plane!

Above: The Air New Zealand Boeing 747 before my departure from Auckland.

Above: Cleared for takeoff on Runway 23, but the takeoff roll was aborted just before V1. A faulty airspeed indicator on the copilot's side was to blame. It took an hour to replace and then I was back in the air.

Above: It came as a surprise, but after a polite question, the flight attendant allowed me and my two friends to visit the cramped cockpit. I was even allowed to turn the plane using the autopilot knob. It was also the captain's last flight before retirement, so he was more than happy to be a nice host. And no, the copilot is not asleep in the picture nor was he knocked unconscious by the strength of my cologne!

All photos copyrighted 2008 A.C. Frieden.