Have you ever flown in a machine that doesn’t have wings?
As of last weekend, I have, and it’s really cool.
As part of a huge day of activity all over Houston, helicopter pilot Tommy Files, of Lebanon, brought his brand new Robinson R44 aircraft to the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce Fairgrounds and offered rides for $25 per person. Considering how rare an opportunity it was, I figured that was a very fair fare and took advantage of the situation.
Obviously, many people agreed, because Files spent about eight hours shuttling dozens upon dozens of threesomes of riders from the fairgrounds to past Pizza Hut and back. Although the flights each lasted about four minutes, I think I can speak for everyone by saying, “it was worth it – big time!”
After waiting in line for a short time with my wife, Wendy, and several friends (and enjoying a strong feeling of anticipation), it was time for me and my two chopper mates to get our chance. I was chosen as the front-seat rider, which meant I was strapped in with the pilot on my right and – gulp – an open-air doorway to my left.
In his brief, but informative, pre-flight statements, Files made sure to point out that putting anything outside that opening (like an arm) would not be a good idea. I felt like he was probably right, and complied throughout our time being airborne.
As soon as the bird left the ground, I realized the flight wasn’t going to be as rough as I had imagined. Not that it was silky smooth, but it wasn’t nearly as bumpy as I figured.
And it wasn’t as loud, either. The powerful rotary blade and engine over our heads wasn’t exactly quiet, but I’m guessing that as helicopter technology has progressed over the years, the noise has been scaled down a bit.
As we lifted higher and higher into the sky over the fairgrounds, all three guest riders yelled, “wow!” at about the same time. Then, as the portrait of U.S. 63 winding through Houston took form below us, I simply yelled, “yeah!”
Lebanon resident Tommy Files sits in the cockpit of his helicopter before giving a ride to one of dozens of threesomes of passengers May 5 at the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce Fairgrounds in Houston, Mo.
My buddy, Steve, could be heard yelling the same way from one of the back seats.
As we zipped over Houston, Files said our speed topped out at about 120 miles per hour. As we reached the area of Pizza Hut and the residential neighborhoods off of Cleveland Road, he banked the R44 to the left, and we headed back to where we had started.
Files flew us right over Walmart, Texas County Memorial Hospital and the downtown area, and we got a great look at the dozens of classic vehicles lining Grand Avenue as part of the first-ever “Grand Festival.” I snapped a bunch of photographs – many of which turned out beautifully – making darn sure to keep the camera fully inside the cockpit.
As we reached our landing area, Files put the bird down like carefully placing an egg on a pillow. As the three of us disembarked from our first helicopter rides, we were each full of adrenaline and feelings of excitement and accomplishment.
Speed, open air, phenomenal views – I’d say it was one of the better four-minute periods of my life.
I feel fortunate to have crossed helicopter ride off of my mental bucket list. I may never go up in a chopper again, but the memory of rising high and cruising in Files’ R44 will surely last.
Files – who works as a corporate chopper pilot – said he may well return for an encore in late July during the Texas County Fair and Old Settlers Reunion. I feel like another $25 investment might be in the offing.
Doug Davison is a writer, photographer and newsroom assistant for the Houston Herald.
Email: ddavison@houstonherald.com.
