Category: Pterodactyl Blog News

Levuka joy flight by helicopter

Helicopter River Runs – How low can we go?

Pterodactyl Helicopters is infamous for their broad range of Adrenalin Adventures; offers range from re-enacting historical aerial combat, pairing helicopter joy rides with laps in V8s and often we have a skydive thrown in.
As hard as this may be to believe, we have come up with something new that is guaranteed to raise your hair and put some butterflies in your stomach.
Brace yourselves….ready…Low Flying River Run!

Just in case you can’t quite picture what exactly this entails – and consequentially may not get why we are so excited about it – let us explain using the ancient art of visualization:

You know how many an action film features at the very least one scene in which a helicopter comes charging along very, very, very, VERY close to the ground? Often above highways or mountain paths? Yes?
Can you picture it, tilted every so slightly forward in case it needs to make a quick ascent?
Can you see the pilot, his face set in stony concentration?
Very good.
Now.
Instead of the road, picture a river – twisting and turning – and a helicopter zooming along so closely above it is practically skimming on the water’s surface.
Can you see the spray caused by the sheer force of the rotor blades?
Can you see YOURSELF and your favourite sidekick inside the helicopter, minds exploding with sensory overload and the sheer impact of awesome?

River runs are pretty much the ultimate experience when it comes to low helicopter flights and as we have the Brisbane River right at our doorstep, it seems an awful shame not to make use of it as the Gods of Helicoptering intended.

Pterodactyl Helicopters’ River Runs take off from our Kholo base, right by Lake Manchester; meaning that you get a good luck at D’Aguilar National Park as you leave, which is a nice bit of serene natural beauty before the adrenalin rush is on.

Following the river as low as we can go, means there will be some rapid turns as we go along the river bends. This calls for experienced pilots and agile equipment; in fact the weight limits for this sort of aerial adventuring are so stringent that we can’t take more than two passengers at a time, even though our R44 technically fits three.

When you book a Low Flying River Run you get to choose between two routes (alternatively, do not choose and do both); the Fernvale Run takes around 25 minutes and is a good option if you just wish to test the waters, the Wivenhoe Run is very close to an hour long.

Let us be very clear: Neither of the routes is for the faint-hearted. This is a seriously intense helicopter experience that will leave you breathless and gasping for more.

If you feel like you could do with a little more outrageous adventure in your life, contact Pterodactyl Helicopters today and make arrangements to be scared out of your pants!
Thrilled – sorry – we meant to say thrilled.
Come along for the ride…if you dare.

golf by helicopter, brisbane, scenic, helicopter, helitour, brisbane helicopter, sunset, nature, gift, adventure, adrenalin, brisbane flights, heli golf tour, helicopter tours

Hit the Green – Big Time!

Do you have a glorious summer’s day to spare and the urge to get some serious golfing done? Pterodactyl Helicopters has some amazing flying golf tour packages that are basically the stuff of dreams for any golfing enthusiast with a taste for high-flying adventure.

Our Flying Golf Tours are so packed with essence of awesome it’s hard to know where to begin.
For starters, of course, there is the tremendous perk of easy access to golf courses that are just a little too far away to warrant a road trip just for the sake of hitting the green.
Yes, you might be reluctant to spend a couple of hours in the car to get to some of the fanciest gold courses in the greater Brisbane and Gold Coast area – but when you get to travel in a chartered helicopter, getting there is half the fun (or possibly three-quarters of the fun).

Our current favourites when it comes to golfing greens include Link Hope Island Resort, Sanctuary Cove Resort, RACV Royal Pines and Palm Meadows Resort – all of which offer unique, top-of-the-range golfing experiences – however, if you have a personal favourite, Pterodactyl Helicopters are happy to fly you to any golf course of your choice, whether it’s on our list or not.
After all, even our seasoned pilots can benefit from a change of routine and will gladly work out the best route to your dream golfing destination.

Our Flying Golf Tours include transfer to and from your chosen course to one of Pterodactyl Helicopters’ helipads – we’ve got quite a few, so there is bound to be one close to home -, a leisurely flight taking the scenic route to your destination, the green fees for 18 holes and golf club hire fees; so all your basic golfing needs will be taken care off within the basic package.

However, if you feel like sprucing this already quite spectacular outing up even more, Pterodactyl Helicopters offers a few optional extras that might make the day simply perfect for you.
On request, we’ll be happy to organize lunch and drinks at your chosen golf course, include a golf cart hire for two or – perhaps the most popular optional extra – throw in a full scenic fly tour over the Gold Coast or Springbrook National Park.

Regardless of which golf course you choose or whether you elect any optional extras or not, the flying golf tour is sure to be a day out you never forget. Cruising to the green in the air conditioned comfort of your private chopper is an experience that can’t be beat; not to mention that you will have a complete birds’ eye view of the course you are about to play, which can only be an advantage, especially when you’ve never played the course before.

If you are keen to hit the green and desire a little glamour, contact Pterodactyl Helicopters today to book in for a day out beyond your wildest golfing dreams.

Up the Ante on your next Pub Crawl

Now that most of us have recovered from the celebratory marathon that is the festive season, the time is right to start planning the next epic adventure.
Australia Day is just around the corner, so we thought we put our focus this week on a solid Aussie tradition: the humble pub crawl.
Of course, when you let Pterodactyl Helicopters take the helm for your day out, there will be nothing humble about your pub crawl…actually, there won’t be any crawling either.
Far from it.

If you and your mates feel as though you really should hit some ace venues sometime soon, but are hard pressed to come up with a route you’ve not done to death already, our flying pub tours are the very thing you’re looking for.
Everything about this package just screams excellence.

For a start, Pterodactyl Helicopters will plan the entire outing for you; all you need to do is nominate the day.
We have a long, long, looooong list of participating old school pubs and boutique breweries (including Sundowner Saloon, Pumpyard Bar and Brewery, Porters Plainland Tavern and many more) and will select five of our favourite venues for you to enjoy.

The flying pub tour starts at 9.30 am and you won’t be back until around 4.30 pm, so it’s a solid day of indulgence.
The package includes helicopter transfer from each venue to the next, a beer (or other beverage) at each pub and a much needed lunch at the half-way mark. Sure, this may not seem like a lot to drink BUT you have to consider that in between you will be doing some serious flying and our responsible pilots must insist on air-safety and…how to say it politely…air sickness prevention.
And besides, the rides from one location to the next are guaranteed to be more intoxicating than even the strongest brew.

We usually cater for 2-6 passengers, so none of your mates are going to miss out; and, if one of you happens to have a rather spacious backyard, there is no need for you to travel all the way to our hangar – we will pick you up at home.
It doesn’t get any more rock’n’roll than that, if you think about it.

At Pterodactyl Helicopters we understand that there is usually one person for whom a pub crawl is nothing short of an ordinary experience; we are referring, of course, to the designated driver.
A champion, no doubt, but not the most enthusiastic participant.
When you book a pub crawl by chopper, there is no designated driver and all involved can simply relax in the knowledge that they will be returned home at the end of the day in safety and style.

Feel like making the first pub crawl of the year an adventure to go down in the history books? Contact Pterodactyl Helicopters today and book yourself in for a day of cold drinks, tasty food, great company and the wild whirring of rotor blades.

Good times ahead, indeed.

My Flying Valentine

True, there is a whole month to go until it’s time to break out the roses; but being prepared never hurt anyone – especially when it comes to making a big romantic gesture.
If you plan on making this Valentine’s Day a legendary success but are not quite sure how to go about it, consider some of these romantic outings – proudly brought to you by Pterodactyl Helicopters.

Gourmet Picnics
The humble picnic has long been a staple component of the wooing process, which is really not at all surprising.
There is something magical about spending time in nature with that special someone, enjoying tasty treats and one another’s company without distraction. However, the world is hectic and there are less and less truly private picnic locations to be found.
Cue Pterodactyl Helicopters’ Gourmet Picnic package.
We will not only fly you to a glorious picnic location (our current hot favourites are Woodlands of Marburg and Spicer’s Hidden Vale…unless you would like to sign up for our mystery riverside location and add an element of surprise), we will also provide you with a picnic hamper and a bottle of wine – so all you have to do is show up and be thrilled.
If you really want to make an impression, we can even collect you and your date from home – yes, in your private helicopter – provided there is suitable landing space.

Fly In/Drive Out Country Escapes
If you have a little time on your hands and feel like a mini-break is long overdue for you and your special someone, this charming package is definitely worth considering.
Pterodactyl Helicopter’s Country Escapes give you a chance to explore the great South-East at your leisure and with ultimate convenience.
Naturally, we will fly you in your chartered chopper to a scenic destination of your choice – our most popular night-away spots include Scenic Rim View Cottages, Stockton Rise Country Retreat, Bunyip Cottages, Branell Homestead and many more – making sure to take the long way so you get to enjoy the spectacular natural beauty our region has to offer.
However, we understand that once you have arrived, you may need your own transport to go exploring; so we will make sure your car gets there when you do.
There are two options available: Either one of Pterodactyl Helicopters’ dedicated staff will drive your car to your holiday destination for you (no extra charge, of course) OR you can get a friend to deliver the vehicle and we will fly him back home (making you the coolest friend of all time).
Our Country Escapes package also includes a three course gourmet dinner and a full breakfast, overnight accommodation and a complementary welcome treat of cheese and sparkling wine.

If you would like to go beyond the charming but ultimately pedestrian fare of chocolate and flowers this Valentine’s Day, contact Pterodactyl Helicopters today and get your romantic ducks in a row – we guarantee you love will be in the air, literally.

sunset flight, sun going down, helicopter, romantic, adventure, brisbane, queensland, special someone

…and they flew off into the Sunset

First of all, an important message from the Pterodactyl Team: Happy 2019! We hope you made it through the holidays unscathed and are ready to tackle the new year head-on!

Apropos, we have a delightful suggestion to help you get 2019 off to a great start: an epic evening out featuring fine dining, deluxe accommodation AND (special new year’s drum roll) a helicopter flight through a technicolour Queensland sunset.

After all the fanfare and fireworks of farewelling the old year, does it not seem apt – even a little poetic – to remind ourselves that nature can top even the most outstanding pyrotechnics display?

The subtropical sunset vistas over Brisbane are truly spectacular; they are in fact so special that Pterodactyl Helicopters have created an entire overnight entertainment package around this experience.
Our Sunset on the Menu & Overnight helicopter tour is designed to give you the ultimate blend of natures raw beauty and modern comforts – and all of it completely stress-free. After all, what good is a chartered chopper if you are rushed off your feet in order to make it to the helipad on time for your sunset flight.

When you book an overnight sunset experience with Pterodactyl Helicopters, all you need to do to start your adventure is to check into The Country Motel or Quest Apartments.
Yes, that is it.
Once you have arrived at your accommodation of choice (if you can’t decide, flip a coin; both options are equally fabulous, so you will be delighted either way) and had some time to settle in, our chauffeur will come calling to take you out to the Pterodactyl helipad.

Our pilots are old hands when it comes to the sunset tour over the Brisbane CBD, so their timing is simply impeccable – which means you are in for a real treat.
The play of light and the outrageous colours of the Queensland sunset, in combination with the ever-expanding Brisbane skyline makes for an unforgettable helicoptering experience. Forget about sad cynics who claim that once you’ve seen one sunset, you’ve seen them all.
In fact, we boldly launch the counterclaim that you haven’t ever really seen a sunset until you’ve seen it from a helicopter.

Once the sun has disappeared, we will take you back to your accommodation and treat you to a gourmet dinner – including a bottle of wine on the house – at either The Country Motel Restaurant or The Cottage Restaurant.
Rounding off your first big adventure of the year with a leisurely evening meal, still buzzing with the intense imagery you have just enjoyed, and finally sinking into sweet dreams of sunset madness in the cool comfort of your motel or apartment – it does not get much better than that.

If you want to feast your eyes on some of the wildest colours mother nature has to offer and experience Brisbane’s famous hospitality with an overnight stay, contact Pterodactyl Helicopters today and we will make it our mission to blow your mind. ffffffffff

wine helicopter

Toast the New Year in Style!

Unbelievably, it appears that 2018 is nearly over; doesn’t it feel as though it has just flown by?
No pun intended…actually, yes, pun intentional.

The dawn of a new year is the perfect occasion to gather your nearest and dearest, or even friends you see much too little off, and get together for a festive beverage.

Sharing food and wine with loved one’s is a beautiful tradition; but you know what could make it even more memorable?
Of course you do.
Flying from one delightful boutique winery to the next in your private helicopter.

Introducing: Helicopter Wine Tours!

South-East Queensland really is a wine-lovers’ paradise. Lush, rolling vineyards abound in our wonderful climate and make for glorious daytrip destinations.
Of course, on a regular daytrip you will be lucky to take in two separate wineries if you stick to your schedule; and you will need a designated driver, who will likely grow progressively grumpy as merrymaking commences.

Pterodactyl Helicopters offer you the ultimate wine tour experience, without any worries about traffic, finding a petrol station in the middle of nowhere or coercing a fellow wine enthusiast into staying sober.

When you book one of our helicopter wine tours, we collect you from your home or hotel, ferry you to the hangar and off you go!

 

As you might feel you are spoilt for choice when it comes to picking out wineries you might want to visit and end up incapable of making a decision – let’s face it,https://pterodactylhelicopters.com.au/helicopter-flight/helicopter-wine-tours/ they’re all so very tempting – Pterodactyl Helicopters’ capable team have put their thinking hats on and come up with an impressive number of standard tours for you to choose from.

 

We currently offer Western, Eastern and Northern Helicopter Wine Tours, so if you like you can just blindly point at a compass and let fate decide for you; with all the amazing locations available, you will be thrilled no matter where we take you.

 

Our selected vineyards include the Sirromet Wines, Sarabah Estate, Winya Wines, Woongooroo Estate, Flinders Peak Wine, Ironbark Ridge, Paradine Wines and many, many, many more.
Of course, if you have one or more locations in mind, we will happily accommodate your requests – our standard tours are by no means set in stone.

 

All flying wine tours include a gourmet lunch and a complementary take-home bottle of wine from each estate per couple. It is up to you whether you want to take in three or four wineries on your day out; of course the more vineyards you visit, the more flying will be involved, and there is nothing like watching the glorious South-East from above.

 

Pterodactyl Helicopters’ aircrafts can take up to 6 passengers, so you can make this date a double or even a triple; good times are better when we share them, after all.

 

So, whether you want to allow for one last, epic hoorah in 2018 or start of 2019 with a rather big bang, our helicopter wine tours might just be the special day out you are longing for.

Contact Pterodactyl Helicopters today to check out our many options and book the wine tour that is just right for you.

Irish Pub By Helicopter

Christmas FUNction!

 

It’s that time of the year again. While all the world gets excited for the holiday break, employers everywhere are faced with the tedious task of organising the mother of all corporate get-togethers: the dreaded Christmas function.
Fret no more! Pterodactyl Helicopters has the perfect solution for your conundrum. Instead of taking the crew barefoot bowling (again), have you considered hiring a private chopper for your Christmas function?

Here is why you should:

Picture the scene.
Unsuspecting employees and their families arrive at a deceptively ordinary – yet spacious – location, misguidedly believing that the most exciting thing about this year’s Christmas function is going to be the generous bar tab.
Then, from the cloudless Queensland skies, they hear the sweet rumble of rotor blades…Behold! It is Pterodactyl Helicopters, suavely landing their state-of-the-art aircraft at a safe distance, throwing the doors open and inviting anyone who’s keen to come for a joy flight – courtesy of the coolest employer in the history of the world.

Once you have revealed your special treat, all there is to do it kick back and take turns. Pterodactyl Helicopters smallest aircraft has room for two passengers at a time; so grab your favourite work mate and go for a spin you won’t soon forget. Perhaps even two spins, depending on how heavily attended the function is.
When you hire a helicopter from Pterodactyl, you are sure to get your money’s worth – and if you ask very nicely, we may even stay a little longer than intended.

 

There is nothing like a grand gesture to boost corporate morale at the end of the year; and a chartered helicopter is perhaps the grandest gesture of all.
It is not often that employees are genuinely surprised and moved by anything their boss does, so expressions will be priceless – as will the pay-off in renewed energy when operations commence after Christmas.

 

Pterodactyl Helicopters is happy to help you plan your high flying Christmas function to make sure everything goes off without a hitch.
If you have a location in mind – like the golf course where you held your slightly more boring Christmas function last year – we will do our best to make it happen. However, if you are lost for ideas, our experienced ground crew has a list of suitable location in the greater Brisbane and Ipswich area that is sure to contain the perfect place for you.

Chartering a helicopter for your Christmas function will not just lift your crew’s spirits, you’ll be flying just as high.
There is something about being truly generous and hitting a homerun when it comes to thrilling those around you that gives you what can only be described as ‘warm-and-fuzzier’; in other words, spread the love this Christmas – whatever you put out will return tenfold as they say.

 

End 2018 on a high and give your employees the Christmas function they deserve – an unforgettable aviation extravaganza. Contact Pterodactyl Helicopters today to check out availabilities and let us help you be the best host you can be.
Merry Christmas!

helicopters for kids, junior aviator

Knock your Kids’ Socks off this Christmas!

Christmas is just around the corner and parents everywhere are becoming consumed with a question that gets trickier every year: What to get the children?
Let’s face it, the children are unlikely to actually NEED anything. Okay, maybe they need socks or something equally lacking in the spectacular department – but you can’t get away with only getting them socks.
So, instead of cluttering your home with more random, nice but ultimately unnecessary and forgettable items just for the sake of putting something under the tree; why not think outside the box this festive season and shout your kids a day out they will never forget?
Pterodactyl Helicopters’ Junior Aviator Program could be just the ticket!

 

Our Junior Aviator Program is open to young flight enthusiasts aged between 10 and 15; and it is a day jam-packed with hands-on experiences.
Pterodactyl Helicopters make sure that your kid gets a taste of everything involved in running a helicopter charter business – from maintaining the equipment (within reason, of course), briefing and handling passengers and, of course, some serious time in the air.
We have been running this program successfully for an age now, so our ground and flight crews are old pros when it comes to engaging kids, involving them in our operation and keeping them perfectly safe throughout it all.

 

When you sign your kids up for Pterodactyl Helicopters’ Junior Aviation Program, you are giving them a full day of helicopter madness.
Because there is much to do, we ask that you drop of you budding pilots at our Lake Manchester hangar no later than 7.30 – there’s no need to pack anything, we provide lunch and beverages throughout the day, provided your kids aren’t too excited to eat.

 

Once we’ve outfitted our junior aviators with an official Pterodactyl shirt and cap – better to look the part than being mistaken for a regular passenger – we put them straight to work, helping us wheel the helicopter from the shed and going through all manner of morning routines (such as checking the weather for all areas of intended flight and notices to airmen).
After giving us a hand with safety procedures and getting a tutorial on how to best give a safety brief to passengers, our junior aviators finally get to jump in the helicopter and enjoy the ride to our base of operations (locations vary depending on the day).

The rest of the day is a frenzy of fun activity!
The kids interact with our passengers, help the ground crew perform most duties and – best of all – get to ride along every time there is a spare seat in our helicopter.
At the end of it all, we safely deliver your knackered kids back to our hangar at Lake Manchester (by helicopter, of course).

This year don’t worry about wrapping stuff that can break, be lost or returned the next day. Contact Pterodactyl Helicopters today and sign your kid (or kids) up for our Junior Aviator Program – we guarantee there will be disbelief, glee and big excitement on Christmas morning.

scenic, adventure, view, brisbane, queensland, helicopter tours,

Get a Fresh Perspective with our Scenic Tours

The Great Southeast of Queensland is a magical place – how lucky are we to live surrounded by such natural beauty (and some funky man-made structures, too)?
How about getting a fresh perspective on some of our regions highlights this summer?
Sounds good?
Pterodactyl Helicopters offer a range of Scenic Flights designed to show off some of the most amazing sights Southeast Queensland has to offer.

 

If you’re craving a birds’ eye view of the countryside, Pterodactyl Helicopters has just what you are looking for.
We currently run two scenic tours catering to the nature enthusiast:

 

Wivenhoe Dam Scenic Flight
Wivenhoe Dam, located just 80 km from the Brisbane CBD, is a true example of engineering genius. Located on the Brisbane River and supplying the majority of Brisbane’s water, Wivenhoe Dam is an integral part of our everyday – so it seems high time to appreciate it from up close.
Pterodactyl Helicopters will take you over the reservoir, the size of which will astound you when you take in its entirety from up high. We also take you for a spin over the Splityard Creek power station before returning to base.

 

Flinders Peak Scenic Flight
Chances are you have already seen Flinders Peak from a distance, if you have ever been up on Mount Coot-tha.
Flinders Peak is the highest mountain in the greater Brisbane area and part of the Teviot Range.
The sheer expanse of natural beauty you will experience on this tour is a little outrageous; in fact, if you’ve ever had a ‘flying dream’ this is the closest you will get to it in real life.

 

If you would prefer to take to the air above a more urban setting, never fear, Pterodactyl Helicopters have thought of everything.

Brisbane City Scenic Flight
Soar high above the Queensland capital, taking in the vast urban sprawl from the Western edge all the way to the CBD.
We will fly you over the Southbank precinct, giving you plenty of photo opportunities.
You will never look at little old Brisbane the same way once you’ve seen it from above!

 

Ipswich City Sights
If you think Ipswich has very little to offer in terms of sights and landmarks, you will find you are gravely mistaken.
Pterodactyl Helicopters scenic flight over Ipswich is short, sweet and unforgettable – and will leave you with a whole new appreciation for this mini-metropolis on the edge of Brisbane.

 

Whether you decide to treat yourself to a sightseeing tour by helicopter or want to give a loved one an extra special Christmas present – our Scenic Flight Tours have something for everyone.

Contact our friendly staff to inquire about costs and get a booking before the Christmas rush hits; there is nothing like a little excitement in the air to make the end of the year truly memorable!