WHY IS FLYING A HELICOPTER IN LA SO MUCH FUN?
Flying a helicopter in Los Angeles is often described as especially fun for several reasons:
1. Incredible Scenery
- Cityscape & Coastline: LA offers a rare combo — dense urban sprawl, iconic landmarks, and a dramatic coastline. You can fly over downtown skyscrapers, Hollywood Hills, Malibu beaches, and the Pacific Ocean — all in one flight.
- Iconic Landmarks: Flying past the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier, and Dodger Stadium gives an almost cinematic experience (fitting for LA).
2. Dynamic Airspace
- LA has one of the most complex and busiest airspaces in the U.S., which makes it both challenging and exciting. Pilots often enjoy the mental engagement of navigating controlled airspace while staying in visual flight rules (VFR) corridors.
3. Favorable Weather
- Southern California’s consistently good weather — clear skies and minimal turbulence — makes flying more accessible and enjoyable year-round.
4. Helicopter-Friendly Environment
- LA is uniquely helicopter-friendly for a major U.S. city. Unlike places like NYC (which has more restrictions), helicopters in LA have more freedom to fly over various parts of the city at lower altitudes, including filming zones and news chopper routes.
5. Cultural Cool Factor
- Helicopter tours and private flights are part of LA’s luxury culture. You might fly over celebrity homes or even spot a production set — which adds to the “Hollywood” appeal.
6. Training Opportunities
- LA is a hub for helicopter flight schools. The variety of terrain (urban, coastal, mountainous) makes it ideal for gaining diverse flying experience, and pilots often find the learning process itself exciting.