When selecting the aircraft to offer helicopter flights over what is certainly one of the most scenic islands in the world, we looked at two main criteria: safety and features. After researching all of the helicopters available, we have decided to offer tours in the six-passenger Eurocopter AStar and the four-passenger Hughes 500. We think that these helicopters allow Jack Harter Helicopters to provide tours and charter flights that will meet the expectations and safety requirements of all of our passengers.

When we purchased our AStars, we directed the factory to modify the seating arrangement to maximize the available passenger space. This was accomplished by relocating the pilot's seat to the left side of the aircraft. With the pilot's seat on the left, we were able to install a larger front passenger seat on the right side of the helicopter.  This seat has also been moved forward to give the rear passengers more leg room. These modifications are not inexpensive, but the improvement over the standard AStar seating design leads to great customer satisfaction.

The large windows on our AStar provide our passengers with unobstructed panoramic views of Kauai's scenic beauty.  Every seat in this helicopter has a great view.

Tour flights on Kauai usually travel in a clockwise direction around the island of Kauai. With the pilot's seat on the left, the front seat passengers are on the side of the aircraft that most often faces mauka. (In Hawaiian, MAUKA means "toward the mountains".)

AStar Seating Diagram

If you are looking for a little more excitement during your helicopter tour, you may want to consider a doors-off tour in our Hughes 500. Imagine yourself zooming along with the wind in your hair as you descend through jungle valleys and smoothly pass through rugged canyons.

Suddenly, a waterfall comes into view that literally takes your breath away. This is an experience that must be felt; it cannot be communicated through words alone.

The tours in the Hughes 500 are essentially the same as those flown in our AStars. Having the doors removed from the aircraft can make the flights seem more thrilling than those flown in a helicopter with doors. We do recommend that passengers bring a jacket or sweater, wear long pants and secure footwear when flying in the Hughes 500. No loose objects are permitted in the helicopter. Cameras must have a strong wrist or neck strap. This aircraft isn't for everyone and we recommend our AStars for passengers who are not sure which aircraft they will enjoy.

Like the AStars, the Hughes 500 features a two-way communication system, which allows a dialog between the pilot and passengers. The headsets in the Hughes 500 have individual boom microphones to reduce wind noise.