FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What kind of helicopter is pictured?
Where can I find out more information about the helicopter?
Where was this picture taken?
Is it legal to land on the beach?
Do you take people for helicopter rides?
How much does it cost to fly this kind of helicopter?

1. What of helicopter is pictured?

The helicopter shown is a two-place Robinson R-22.

2. Where can I find more about the helicopter?

Go to the Robinson Helicopter web site: http://www.robinsonheli.com/

3. Where was this picture taken?

The picture was taken on the beach, just North of Ocean Shores, Washington State. I flew it there in July for a picnic.

4. Is it legal to land on the beach?

That depends. In this case, the landing area is in a FAA approved landing area, designated as Copalis State (S16). It is open and legal for fixed wing and helicopter whenever the tide is low. (Always check for the current situation before trying this yourself. As a general rule, you cannot land on any beach you want to.)

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5. Do you take people for helicopter rides?

Not usually.

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6. How much does it cost to fly this kind of helicopter?

Generally, about the same as a small twin-engine fixed wing plane. In 2002, this helicopter rents for about $150 per hour of flight time, assuming you can be the pilot. For the beach flight, a round trip was made from the Tacoma Narrows Airport, in Tacoma Washington. The total flight time was about 2.7 hours, including a little extra sightseeing, for a total expense of just over $400.