Category: Pterodactyl Blog News

Santa delivering presents by helicopter

Steal Away for a Romantic Christmas Picnic

Christmas is very nearly upon us and couples everywhere are debating how to co-ordinate Christmas lunches – there seem to be celebratory meals every day from Christmas eve to New Years.
When will we be at your parents’ house? And my parents’ house? And that big BBQ with the gang? Nice options, fair enough, HOWEVER… Why not do something completely different and save a date during the festive season to have a lunch for two that is as romantic as it is spectacular?
Pterodactyl Helicopters’ Gourmet Picnic packages are the perfect solution for couples, who wish for nothing more than a little serenity this Christmas.

 

Just imagine, if you will, that all you and your beloved had to do to have a holiday picnic neither of you will ever forget was to simply walk out the door?
No food preparation, no gassing up the car, no sweating on congested highways, no jostling crowds for a good spot in some packed scenic hotspot. None of that.
You simply dress in your finest picnic wear, collect your sunhat on the way out and merrily skip into the most romantic day of the holiday season.
Pterodactyl Helicopters can make this dreamlike fantasy come true.

 

Our gourmet picnic packages are the stuff of legends – especially if you have a spacious back yard or a park next to your home, because if you do we will collect you from your house by helicopter.
It sounds a little grandiose perhaps, the type of thing a Kardashian might do once in a while, but there is no reason you shouldn’t treat yourself this Christmas.
Hiring a private helicopter to fly you to an exclusive picnic location is indulgent, true, but what is wrong with a little indulgence?

 

Once we have you aboard our air-conditioned chopper, all you have to do is hold hands and relax while the gorgeous southeast Queensland scenery flies by beneath you.
Pterodactyl Helicopters currently has three favourite picnic spots for you to choose from:

 

  • The gorgeous woodlands of Marburg
  • Spicers Hidden Vale, one of the most beautiful and best-kept secrets of the Hinterland
  • And – if you’re feeling particularly adventurous – our mystery riverside location

 

Regardless of which destination you choose for your helicopter picnic tour, disappointment is not an option.
Pterodactyl Helicopters will deliver you to the ultimate privacy of your very own picnic spot, provide you with a delicious hamper full of joy and a bottle of fine wine, and then – naturally – we shall make ourselves scarce until it is time to fly you back home.

This Christmas, take a little time to escape the crowds – literally – and have some special one-on-one time with your favourite person. You can even leave your phone at home, just remember to bring a good old-fashioned camera to capture this unique aviation experience for the family album.
And maybe to make someone jealous at the next Christmas lunch. Maybe.

 

Contact Pterodactyl Helicopters and arrange for a thrilling date in a glorious setting – we promise it’ll make Christmas all the merrier.

adrenalin, helicopters, extreme, brisbane, brisbane helicopter tours, pterodactyl helicopters

Experience Aerial Combat First Hand!

Attention all was history buffs and aviation aficionados! Were you aware that the ultimate adventure – combining WWII history, aerobatics and (admittedly unrelated) V8 racing – has been at your fingertips for the longest time?
No?!?

Well, Pterodactyl Helicopters have good news for you: our Helicopter V8 Warbird Experience is back!

 

Part of our infamous Adrenalin Experience packages, the Helicopter V8  Warbird Experience is the ultimate day out for hard-core thrill seekers.
If you choose this outstanding offer, your day begins with an unforgettable ride in a chartered helicopter, transporting you and one lucky partner in crime from our Ipswich helipad to the Warbird operations base.
Yes, we know, it’s hard to believe that a tour in a private chopper could be the warm up to an even greater adventure – yet it is true, we promise.

Once you have safely landed at the Warbird operations base, there is just enough time to give your companion a crisp high-five before you part ways and take your places in separate aircrafts – and not just any aircraft, you will be flying in YAK 52s.

That’s right, YAK 52s. The very aerobatic dream machines designed to train Soviet fighter pilots in the art of aerial combat. Joyrides in these babies are not for the faint-hearted; the YAK 52s are built to do some seriously fancy stunts.

Of course, you are not going for a joyride…you are going to re-enact the iconic dogfights that went down between the American P40 Kittyhawks and the Japanese Zero fighter planes.

We are not talking about half-measures here.

Once you get in the air, you and your opponent will duke it out above the clouds with all your aircrafts have to offer.
There will be tail chases, there will be formations and – YES! – there will be smoke and perhaps a tailspin or two.

 

Pterodactyl Helicopters’ Warbird Experience is the most realistic aerial combat experience possible, short of actually going to war – and that wouldn’t be much fun now, would it.

 

Back on terra firma, we will permit you to catch your breath and perhaps have a glass of water; but then it’s onto the next sensational speed extravaganza.

Pterodactyl Helicopters will fly you from the Warbird operations base directly to the spiritual home of V8 racing enthusiasts, the Queensland Raceway, where you will strap in, hold on and have your mind blown.
Our tame racing driver – never mind the Stig, we’ve got our own – will take you for a couple of laps around the track at teeth-rattling speed; giving you a taste of real life V8 racing that will linger for a very long time. Possibly forever.

 

So, are you ready to embark on a day out for the history books? Contact us today to book yourself and your favourite adventure buddy in for the extreme speed experience of a lifetime – because when it comes to Adrenalin Experiences, nothing beats Pterodactyl Helicopters.

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

Golf A-Go-Go!

Glorious summer has finally come – and Australians are flocking to their favourite summer hang outs en mass.

If you feel like getting outside but would prefer a classy put across one of Southeast Queensland’s finest golfing greens to sweating at a packed beach, Pterodactyl Helicopter Golf Tours are the very thing you’re looking for!

 

Yes, golfing is a wonderful thing, but guess what is even more wonderful?

That’s right. Being flown straight to one of the best golf courses our region has to offer in your private helicopter.
That extra bit of adventure, glamour and not to mention convenience can simply not be beaten.
Whether you treat yourself or surprise a keen golfer in your family or circle of friends, a chartered helicopter and a round or two at the green are sure to make for a winning day out.

 

Pterodactyl Helicopter golf tours’ most popular destinations are

 

Voted the Gold Coast’s Number 1 Golf Course, the Hope Island Resort sports 18 holes in a gorgeous, sprawling setting and offers amazing special events like Twilight Golf that will thrill even the most experienced golfer.

This is a golf course that allows you to really challenge yourself. With 27 holes and 3 unique combinations of 18 holes, including a newly designed Championship Course, the Royal Pines will thrill you nearly as much as your journey by helicopter is guaranteed to do.

The Cove, as locals call it, is a perfect destination for golfers of all abilities. Whether you are flying in to indoctrinate a novice or share your helicopter with a seasoned professional – the Cove has something for everyone.

Test yourself and let us fly you to one of Australia’s most challenging golfing greens. This course demands you prove yourself against the elements with no less than 14 holes involving water hazards and a grand total of 82 sand bunkers throughout the course.

 

Of course, if you have a different location in mind, our friendly team will be happy to talk options with you – after all, your pleasure is our pleasure. At least when it comes to giving you the best golf and aviation experience possible.  Pterodactyl Helicopters will happily transport you to any golf course in the Southeast Queensland region.

 

When you choose Pterodactyl to take you on a flying golf tour, you get a comprehensive package that is second to none.
Your day out will include

  • Helicopter transfer from one of our exclusive helipads to the golf course of your choice
  • Green fees for 18 holes
  • Golf club hire
  • Return flight in one of our state of the art choppers (including some low flying, if you ask nicely

 

Still, if you want to make your day out just a little bit more special, we have some optional extras that won’t disappoint.

When you book your golf tour, ask our friendly staff to arrange

  • Golf cart hire for 2 people
  • Lunch and drinks on location
  • A scenic flight detour over the Gold Coast or Springbrook National Park

 

No matter which golf course or options you may choose, Pterodactyl Helicopter Gold Tours provide you with an adventure on the green to go down in your own private history books.

peak lodge, helicopter, spicers retreats, peak lodge helicopters, brisbane helicopter tours, helicopter scenics, spicers peak helicopter

Calling all Culinary Chopper Enthusiasts!

Summer is here – bringing with it an abundance of seasonal delights every Australian gourmet dreams of during the (relatively) fruitless winter months. So, what better way to celebrate summer than with a Flying Food Safari? Can’t think of anything? Neither can we; to be honest.

 

Beautiful Southeast Queensland is a regular cornucopia of culinary delights. Lush farmland, orchards, vineyards, breweries…the list is long and the options are many. Some might even say too many – but that’s just because they’re limiting themselves when they consider transportation.
You see, if one was to set out on a food expedition by traditional means (yes, humble automobile, we’re looking at you) the best one could hope for would be two or three different locations, probably so close together they technically count as one. That doesn’t really sound like much of an outing to us at Pterodactyl Helicopters; especially since one poor soul would have to be the designated driver, thus missing out on a big part of the fun.

 

Thankfully, as ever, Pterodactyl Helicopters has your back. We have put together an irresistible package allowing you to explore a maximum of six separate hotspots of local culinary pleasures. Each location will thrill your palate with their house specialties and the perfect liquid accompaniment to boot. Lean back, enjoy and revel in some of the most serene settings Southeast Queensland has to offer; before appreciating the scenery from a different perspective as you are being whisked onward in your private chartered helicopter.

 

When you choose Pterodactyl Helicopters’ Flying Food Safari, you sign up for the perfect balance of excitement and relaxation. Our tours are a blind date with fine foods and boutique wines and craft beers – luckily, with so many prime locations within easy reach by helicopter transfer, all stops are guaranteed highlights. Usually, we will collect you from anywhere within a ten kilometre radius of the Ipswich CBD and drive you to our helipad; however, if you have an unusually large backyard or a convenient landing location nearby your house, we are happy to get you straight from home so your adventure can start without delay.

 

Our state of the art choppers can take up to three passengers, so you don’t have to pick just one special person to join you on your flying feast. After all, there is no experience (not even a helicopter tour of delicious destinations) that can’t be made that little bit more special through sharing it with those close to you.
Of course, if you want to be completely outrageous, the Flying Food Safari might be an ideal gift for a foodie you love. In which case you might just want it to be the two of you.
And, just FYI, if this is going to be a date, we are happy to arrange for an overnight stay and gourmet dinner at one of our select locations – so you can do it all over again the next day.

 

To book your Flying Food Safari today, contact our friendly team at Pterodactyl Helicopters and let us entertain you!

It’s a Nice Day for a Flight Wedding

You’re taking the plunge this summer? How EXCITING!
We all want our wedding to be just right, don’t we? From selecting the dress to designing the perfect cake to putting together the ultimate playlist – there are so many details to fine tune to make your wedding day the stuff of legend.

So. Have you thought about transport yet?
If not, Pterodactyl Helicopters Wedding Transfer package might be just what you were looking for to make a grand entrance worthy of the big day.

 

Arriving at your wedding in style is traditionally important. Horse-drawn carriages, vintage cars, white steeds, elephants…well, maybe not so many elephants…regardless, the arrival at the wedding venue (be it a church, a golf course or a beach) sets the tone for the celebration.
As you can imagine, arriving in a chartered helicopter sets a pretty awesome tone.

 

Pterodactyl Helicopters’ Wedding Transfers give you the opportunity to make an epic entrance at your wedding. Stun your guests as you emerge in all your to-be-wed splendour from a state of the art chopper – and make yourself feel like a rock star on your special day. We assure you, our team specialises in making you feel like royalty.

 

With Pterodactyl Helicopters getting to the helipad is half the fun on your wedding day. We will come and collect you and your arrival party by limousine and chauffeur you to the nearest helipad in style, including sparkling beverages and plenty of photo opportunities.
And no, you don’t have to worry about the rotor blades messing up your wedding hair – because although it seems unlikely, we at Pterodactyl are sensitive souls who understand a woman’s need to be immaculate as a bride. In order to keep you looking glorious, we won’t start your private chopper up until you and your party are safely inside and we won’t let you back out at your destination until the coast is clear. Also, we will of course let you pose for photos in front of your aerial wedding carriage to your heart’s content.

 

Now, would you like to hear the best part about our Wedding Transfers? Yes, hard to believe that there could be anything to top being flown to your own wedding; however, what make Pterodactyl Helicopters’ aerial wedding transfers truly special is our bad weather contingency plan.
While we sincerely hope that your wedding day will be bathed in beautiful, bright sunshine, there is no way to guarantee this, considering how temperamental Queensland weather can be. As we don’t want you to worry about transport alternatives, costs and deposits on your wedding day, Pterodactyl Helicopters guarantees you a full limousine transport package for you and your bridal party if we are unable to fly you there. You’re helicopter transfer deposit is sure to cover the cost of the limousine, so you don’t have to worry about a thing and will still arrive in style.

 

So, if you want to inject a little spy/movie star glamour into your wedding day, contact Pterodactyl Helicopters today and let us tick another box on your list of wedding preparations.

 

Stuff your Stocking with Adventure this Christmas!

 Christmas is advancing with giant strides – and there is nothing more satisfying than knowing you’re ahead of the gift-game AND guaranteed to amaze your loved ones. Whether you’ve got a whole family of adventurers to thrill or want to give your bestie a present to remember, Pterodactyl Helicopters have you covered.

 

May I have this Sky Dance? – Why, of course, you may!

Pterodactyl Helicopters’ Sky Dance Tours are the perfect gift for the nature loving aerial enthusiast. There are a great many adventure options and one of them is bound to suit the lucky recipient of your Christmas goodwill.

Sky Dance takes you into the heart of Australia’s Green Cauldron, the stunning and somewhat untamed wild of Southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

For those who simply want to feast their eyes on the outstanding natural beauty of the region Pterodactyl offers a range of Scenic Flights, covering national treasures like the Glasshouse Mountains, Borders’ Range and Mount Warning.

However, if you would prefer a more hands-on approach we urge you to check out our Airborne Adventures. Always dreamed of exiting a small plane 007-style? Our Gold Coast Sky Dive package is just the thing. Love hiking? Our Hike-Climb-Fly excursion will take you deep into the lush hinterland, where you can scale mountains to your heart (and skill level’s) content.

 

All I want for Christmas is an Absolute Blast!

Do you have an adrenaline junky close to your heart and no idea what to put under the tree for them? How about one of Pterodactyl Helicopters’ Air and Land Adventures?
Whether you are a purely aerial daredevil or a rev-head to boot – we have the package to suit the mood.

Helicopter V8 Experience – fly a mate, your wife or your grandparent to one of Southeast Queensland most notorious raceways in a chartered helicopter and treat them to a spin in a V8-supercar with our own tame racing driver.

Helicopter Fast-track Drag Racing Experience – be flown directly to the strip to get the thrill of a lifetime in a purpose built 3-seater Rail Dragster! Ever wondered what 0-100kmh in under two seconds feels like? This Christmas you just might?

Helicopter V8 Warbird Experience – this is simply the most outrageous day out any thrill seeker can imagine. Travel like a boss in your own private chopper not only to the racetrack but also to the airfield – where you will proceed to participate in simulated air combat. That’s right. You and a friend will face off in YAK52’s at top speeds, including aerial acrobatics, smoke – the works.

 

The above are only a small glimpse at the treats available when you book your helicopter experience with Pterodactyl Helicopters. We have romantic outings, golf tours, food safaris…the list goes on. If you think that a day in the skies (with a little extra excellence for good measure) is just the present your loved ones deserve this Christmas, contact Pterodactyl Helicopters today and make sure this year the yuletide spirit is going to be off the charts.

brisbane, helicopter tours, brisbane helicopter flights, winery tour by helicopter

Make an Entrance with Pterodactyl Helicopters!

What do weddings, music festivals, race days and weekends away have in common? They’re all more fun if you arrive by helicopter! If you are planning to attend…anything, really…in greater South-East Queensland in the immediate future, why not consider an alternative, epically awesome mode of transport? Pterodactyl Helicopters offer aerial transport to a wide range of locations – making sure you arrive in style and get to be the star of the show.

 

If you are looking for a helicopter charter to deliver you (and others, if you feel so inclined) to an exciting event, look no further than Pterodactyl Helicopters. Whether you want to stun your wedding guests with a James Bond style arrival at your venue, surprise someone special by whisking them away on a long weekend in the most spectacular way, or just want to bypass pesky traffic en route to an outdoor concert – chartering a private helicopter is bound to take whatever you’re planning into the next league.

 

Pterodactyl Helicopters’ aerial transfer options are second to none when it comes to being flexible in catering to your individual needs. Simply give us a call to discuss your helicoptering fantasy and you will be amazed by our team’s willingness to fulfil your every desire. With enough notice, we can accommodate large numbers of passengers, source the best landing patches closest to your destination of choice (often quite literally a stone’s throw away) and even accommodate substantial cargo (in case you feel delivering a gift via helicopter transfer might add a certain something).

 

If you don’t wish to make your way to one of our helipads, we can most likely collect you and save you extra travel time. Pterodactyl Helicopters offers airport transfers, can execute pick-ups from a number of Brisbane Hotels (yes, we’re talking about getting in a helicopter on your hotel’s roof – like a boss) and, providing the location is suitable, even get you straight from home. The cost of transfer does vary depending on your preferred mode of operation, but you will be astounded by how affordable private helicopter transport can be.

 

So, whether you are looking for VIP transfers, freight transfers, custom charter or transfer to a major event – Pterodactyl Helicopters will work with you to find the perfect solution. Contact our friendly team today and get planning; the chance to travel like a superstar is only a phone call away. Don’t just go there this time – really go there!

wine helicopter

Superstar-style Mini-Break? Anyone?

Summer is approaching, so the time has come to get out of the city – even if it’s only for 48 hours. Just because your getaway from the daily drudge is a quickie, doesn’t meant it can’t be memorable after all. Pterodactyl Helicopters offers Fly In/ Drive Out Country Escapes that are simply ideal for a short holiday from the everyday. Let’s face it, there is no better way to start off your weekend away than a private helicopter transfer to the gorgeous South-East Queensland countryside. And best of all, you’ll still have your car on site to explore your destination at your leisure.

 

How does it work?

At Pterodactyl Helicopters we understand that while helicopters are the most spectacular mode of transport around, it is still handy to have a car when on vacation. And, yes, we know your car is unlikely to fit into our state of the art choppers.

You can get your car to the destination of your choice two ways: either we will drive it there for you or you can bribe a friend to do you this special favour – the bribe being a helicopter ride back home, trust us, this always works.

With your car safely on its way, we can provide you with pick-up from Brisbane Airport, City Hotels, Archerfield, the Ipswich CBD or our Lake Manchester hangar (that said, we are quite flexible and can probably work something out if you prefer a different pick-up location).

No matter where we collect you, once you are in the air, drinking in the scenery from the comfort of your private chartered helicopter, the great South-East is your oyster.

 

Where to go?

Pterodactyl Helicopters offers Fly In/Drive Out Country Escapes to

+ The Scenic Rim View Cottages, a truly idyllic destination for your romantic getaway

+Mount French Lodge – formerly known as the Bunyip Cottages – an outrageously gorgeous location now under new ownership and keen to show you that none of its charms have been lost

+Spicers Hidden Vale, the perfect place to unwind for the true nature lover, sporting paddock-to-plate gourmet dining and a broad range of nature exploration activities

+The Branell Homestead in the heart of the beautiful Lockyer Valley, simply ideal to take a deep breath and finally relax

+many other glorious destinations.

 

All our Country Escapes include a one-way transfer to your preferred getaway by helicopter, wine and cheese (or chocolate, if you must) on arrival, overnight accommodation, a three-course gourmet dinner and full breakfast and (optional) transport of your vehicle to your destination. We also provide you with detailed information about your location and plenty of suggestions on where to best explore during your stay.

 

Have we whet your appetite? Contact Pterodactyl Helicopters for pricing and availability and plan your luxury min-break today!

Future Pilot, Brisbane, Helicopter Training

Helicopter Kids! A highlight for the holidays

The school holidays are looming large and parents are scrambling to come up with day-filling activities to keep the kids entertained. At a loss what to do? We thought you might be. So, if your 10 to 15-year-old is mad about aviation (or even only mildly curious) why not check out Pterodactyl Helicopters’ Junior Aviator program? It’s sure to blow your kid’s mind and propel you instantly to coolest parent alive status.

 

What is this Junior Aviator Program?

In short, it is likely to be the best day a young flight enthusiast can imagine.

Specifically, Pterodactyl Helicopters’ will take your child under their wing and immerse them in a typical day at the helipad. Our junior aviators get first-hand experience in ground crew duties, the wrangling of helicopter passengers and – naturally – some quality time in the air.

We provide our Junior Aviators with lunch and drinks throughout the day, so no need to bring a thing.

And yes, there will be a cap and t-shirt.

Cost is $275 per child for the full day of aviation madness.

 

How is the day structured?

Our Junior Aviator Program starts early – which will save you from the continuous loop of “Is it time to go YET?” that is certain to begin at the crack of dawn – and we ask that you deliver your youngsters to our Lake Manchester hangar by 7.30 am. On average you won’t see them again til around 4 pm, though times can vary slightly depending on the flight activities of the day; so make some nice plans for your own day off.

Once on location, the children receive their cap and shirt and jump straight into their duties as trainee members of our ground crew. They will inspect and fuel a helicopter, check the weather and notices to airmen for the flight area of the day and then get the chopper from the hangar to the heli pad.

While our (non-junior) ground crew travels to our joy flight destination by ute, the kids will get a real taste of the many safety procedures we have to run before take-off, including how to give a safety brief to helicopter passengers.

Then – FINALLY – it’s time to load up and fly!

At the landing site, the Junior Aviators re-join the ground crew and get to spend the rest of the day getting into the nitty-gritty of working with chartered choppers. From re-fuelling (hands-off) and taking water samples (hands-on), to handling paperwork and interacting with passengers – our helicopter load master and experienced ground crew will make sure the kids get a go at everything – everything that doesn’t require a license, that is.

And, best of all, as we run our usual joy flights during the day, many of the young aviators will get to ride along in our helicopters as the weight and passenger limit permits.

At the end of the day our junior crew is flown back to Lake Manchester, where we will show them how to fill out the day’s paperwork, log the flight hours and bed down our choppers for the night.

 

If this day is just the ticket to put a smile on your kids’ faces this school holiday, contact Pterodactyl Helicopters and book them in for our Junior Aviation Program today.