Frequently Asked Questions

Booking & cancellation

How do I book a flight?

Everything books online at our booking page. Pick a date, choose a tour, reserve seats — confirmation lands in your inbox in seconds. We don't take bookings by phone for tours; the website's calendar is the source of truth and prevents double-bookings.

What are your operating hours?

Tour season runs May through October. The bookable calendar is:

Friday – Monday: 10 AM – 8 PM (last slot of the evening is the Sunset Tour, departing 45 minutes before sunset)
Tuesday – Wednesday – Thursday: 4 PM – 8 PM only

Off-season (November – April), scenic tours run by appointment only. Flight training runs year-round.

When can I book flight-training lessons?

Student lessons are scheduled through the gated student portal. The protected student window is Saturday, Sunday, and Monday — 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM, before the tour day starts. Tuesday–Thursday daytime hours are not available for student bookings. Friday mornings are by personal approval from your instructor only.

Why are there 30 minutes between flights on the calendar?

Each booked slot includes a 15-minute pre-flight buffer (safety walk-around, weight & balance, boarding) and a 15-minute post-flight buffer (deplaning, photos, refueling, turnaround). It's how we keep on-time performance high and never rush a safety brief.

How early should I book — especially for foliage or sunset?

Sunset flights are one slot per evening and book solid 1–4 weeks ahead in summer. Peak foliage weekends (Sept 21–Oct 17) typically sell out 4–6 weeks in advance — start watching availability in early August. Mid-week peak slots are easier to grab same-week.

What's the cancellation policy?

More than 48 hours before your flight: full refund. 24–48 hours: 50% credit toward a future flight. Less than 24 hours: forfeit, except for weather. The pilot has sole authority over weather cancellations — those always get a rebook or refund.

Can I reschedule? Is there a fee?

Yes. One free reschedule if you give us more than 48 hours' notice. Inside 48 hours, we'll move you when we can — same-day moves depend on the calendar.

Do you fly year-round?

Yes — weather permitting. Tour season is busiest May through October; flight training runs all twelve months. Winter flying offers some of our most spectacular scenery once the snow is on the High Peaks. Off-season tours are by appointment.

What happens if my flight is cancelled for weather?

You get a text 4 hours before your scheduled departure with two options: free rebook on the next available slot, or full refund — your call.

Weather & rescheduling

What if it's a little cloudy or breezy?

VFR scenic flying needs ceilings and visibility well above the legal minimums for safety and a good experience — typically 2,500 ft ceilings or better and 5+ miles visibility. Light wind is fine; gusty wind above 25 kt usually grounds us. We never push weather; if conditions are marginal, you'll hear from us by text.

Do you fly in light rain?

No. Even light rain reduces visibility, and rotor-wing scenic flying isn't worth doing if you can't see the scenery. We reschedule.

What about haze, smoke, or fog in the valleys?

Lake George summer haze sometimes brings visibility into the 5–7 mile range. We can fly the lake basin in those conditions, but the High Peaks Grand and Green Mountain Scenic tours need clearer air. We'll suggest a substitute or rebook.

Where can I see the live weather you're checking?

Our KGFL Weather Briefing page pulls the same METAR/TAF feeds we use, with quick links to the FAA's Aviation Weather Center. It's the most useful single page for understanding why a flight might or might not go.

Day-of-flight

How early should I arrive?

Twenty minutes before your scheduled flight time. We'll do a safety briefing and weight & balance, then you're in the air.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothes, layers (it's cooler at altitude), and closed-toe shoes. Leave loose hats at home — they can fly off near a running rotor. We provide noise-canceling headsets. Sunglasses recommended.

Where is Harris Airport (83K)?

10915 St. Rt. 149, Ft. Ann, NY — twelve miles east of Lake George Village, about thirty minutes from Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls, and an hour from Albany International (KALB). Free parking on the field. Detailed directions ship with your booking confirmation.

Is there a bathroom at the airport?

Yes — clean restroom inside the FBO building. Use it before your flight; once we're airborne, there's no return-to-field-because-coffee policy that's going to make us happy.

Can I bring food or drink?

Water bottles only in the cabin (capped). No coffee, no soda, no snacks during flight. We have a few Adirondack cafés to recommend post-flight.

Will the pilot narrate the flight?

Yes. The intercom is open the whole flight and the pilot points out every landmark — Tongue Mountain, Black Mountain, the Sagamore, Fort William Henry, Fort Ticonderoga, Whiteface, Marcy. You can ask questions any time.

Is the helicopter heated and air-conditioned?

Heated, yes. Air-conditioned, no — the R-44 has excellent ventilation through the doors and large vents, which keeps the cabin comfortable even in summer. We typically fly early morning or sunset on hot days.

Can I sit up front next to the pilot?

For shared bookings, the pilot decides seating based on weight and balance. For private buyouts, the heavier passenger usually sits up front; we'll confirm at booking.

Safety & the helicopter

Is the helicopter safe? What's your safety record?

We operate to a higher standard than the regulations require. Our pilots are Robinson SFAR 73-compliant with recurrent training every 24 months. The R-44 is maintained to its 100-hour and annual schedules with full AD compliance. NCHF has flown thousands of safe hours over 17 years.

Are there weight or size limits?

FAA-mandated 250 pounds per passenger in the R-44, and we calculate total weight and balance for every flight. Please give us accurate weights at booking — they're a safety requirement, not a suggestion. If your group is close to the cabin limit, we may split it across two flights or recommend a different tour.

Can a couple share a 250 lb seat allowance if one is heavier?

Generally no — the per-seat limit is structural for the seat itself, not the cabin. If a passenger exceeds 250 lb, we'd book a private buyout where seating arranges around the heavier passenger up front. Reach out and we'll work it out.

What happens in an emergency?

The R-44 can autorotate to a safe landing without engine power — that's part of every commercial helicopter pilot's training. Our pilots practice autorotations every recurrent. The R-44's emergency landing options are excellent in the lakes-and-foothills terrain we fly.

How many passengers does the R-44 hold?

Pilot plus three passengers. Every seat is a window seat — no middle row, no obstructed view.

What altitude do you fly at?

Most scenic flying is between 800 and 2,500 feet AGL — high enough to see the terrain laid out, low enough to feel like you're in it. Over the High Peaks we go higher; over the lake basin, lower.

What's your insurance coverage?

$1 million aviation liability with passenger limits in line with industry standard. Renters insurance is accepted for student pilots and required before solo flight.

Children & accessibility

Can children fly with us?

Children aged 2 and up are welcome with a parent or guardian. Children must be able to wear the headset and stay seated and belted for the full flight. Lap children are not permitted under any circumstances.

What if I'm scared of flying?

A lot of first-timers tell us afterward they were nervous beforehand. The R-44 cabin is quieter and smoother than most expect, the pilot talks the whole flight, and we keep things gentle. If you'd rather start with the 5-minute Quick Lift before committing to a longer tour, that's exactly what it's designed for.

Will I get motion sick?

Helicopter scenic flight is unusually smooth — we don't bank steeply or pitch hard. If you've handled a turning car ride or a small boat, you'll be fine. Take a Dramamine an hour before if you're worried; ginger candies help on the day.

Are pets allowed?

Service animals: yes, with prior coordination. Pets generally: no — the cabin is small and shared bookings include other passengers. For a private buyout we'll consider a small, well-mannered dog with a deposit.

Can you accommodate wheelchairs or limited mobility?

The R-44 cabin requires a step up and a forward duck-and-twist to seat. Folding wheelchairs can be stowed; motorized chairs cannot. If you're unsure whether you can board comfortably, please call us before booking — we'll walk through it together. See our contact page.

What if I'm hearing-impaired?

Our headsets are noise-canceling and pilot communication is clear — most hearing aid wearers fly comfortably. Tell us at booking and we'll adjust the comm setup. We can also brief in writing at the FBO before takeoff.

Do you fly non-English-speaking guests?

English is our working language for safety briefings and ATC, but we'll happily fly guests with a companion translator. The Lake George area sees heavy French-Canadian visitation — we have basic French phrases for the safety walk-around.

Photography & video

Can I take photos and video during the flight?

Absolutely — bring your camera or phone. Every seat has a large window. We do not allow drone-controllers, selfie sticks beyond cabin reach, or anything that could leave the aircraft.

Do you offer doors-off photography flights?

Yes — for serious photographers. Doors-off requires a $200 setup fee, a pre-flight harness check, and a per-flight gear inventory (no GoPro mounts that can fly off). Best booked golden-hour. Reach out via the à la carte page.

Can you provide photos or video of my flight?

For special occasions (proposals, anniversaries, weddings) we offer a "Photo of Your Flight" add-on — a curated 8×10 print mailed to you, $45. Doors-off photo flights include a digital album of pilot-captured frames.

Will you give me a copy of the flight track?

On request, yes — we can email a Garmin/ForeFlight track of your flight after we land. Useful for photographers or anyone curious about the route.

Flight training

How is dual flight instruction priced?

$725 per Hobbs hour all-in (you pay only for time the engine is running, not the time you're on the ground). Ground instruction is $75 per hour. The discovery flight is a $349 flat package.

How long does it take to get my Private Pilot Helicopter?

The FAA minimum is 40 hours; realistic completion is 60–80 flight hours plus ~25 ground hours. Typical timeline at a steady 2x/week pace: 4–6 months from discovery to checkride.

Do you teach the rotorcraft add-on for fixed-wing pilots?

Yes — and it's one of our most rewarding programs. Most fixed-wing private pilots add-on in 30–40 helicopter hours. We'll honor your existing knowledge and focus the syllabus on rotor-specific aerodynamics, autorotations, and the Robinson SFAR 73 awareness training.

Do I need a medical certificate?

For solo flight in the R-44 you need at least a current Third-Class FAA medical. We can recommend AMEs in the Albany / Glens Falls area. A first lesson and the discovery flight do not require a medical.

What happens after my Private Pilot? Do I have to keep training with you?

Not at all. We're equally happy to support add-on instrument, commercial, or CFI ratings on the same airframe — or to send you off well-prepared to a school more aligned with your career goals. See our (forthcoming) Career Pathways page for typical post-PPL routes.

Gift cards & special occasions

Do you offer gift cards?

Yes — gift cards are valid 24 months and good for any tour, the discovery flight, or a custom charter. Buy them on the gift-cards page; delivery is instant by email with a printable certificate the recipient can wrap.

Do you do proposals?

All the time. The Sunset Tour buyout ($750) with a champagne staging on landing is the most-requested package. We'll coordinate ring storage during flight, photo capture, and the post-flight reveal. Tell us in the booking notes — we plan around your script.

Do you fly weddings?

Yes — bride/groom arrival flights into venues with a clear LZ (Sagamore, Erlowest, several lake-side estates), surprise sendoff flights, photographer charters. Lead time for peak weekends is 90+ days.

Can I do a photo flight for real-estate or aerial photography?

Yes — see our à la carte page. $750/hr with a 30-minute minimum, doors-off available.

Do you do corporate or group bookings?

Yes — we can fly up to 21 passengers across 7 flights in a single day from a single LZ. Discount structure available for 4+ flights. Hotel partners often coordinate retreat packages with us.