There’s nothing like a bird’s eye view to take in the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. And there’s nothing like a helicopter tour for an unsurpassed experience. Scenic Helicopter Tours offer an array of tours and pricing for your once-in-a-lifetime flight. Established in 1972, they are a second-generation family-owned business.
Situated in Sevierville, Tennessee, they offer tours of the Pigeon Forge area. Their second location in North Carolina provides tours of the Asheville area. We’ll focus on the Pigeon Forge tours, so check their website for details about Asheville.
Scenic Helicopter Tours provides tour packages for all budgets with a fleet of seven helicopters and an award-winning crew. But they do more than tours, which we’ll explain shortly.
First, let’s discuss their crew and fleet. Scenic Helicopter Tours employ twelve pilots who have vast flying experience. Some pilots served in the military, and over half are certified, flight instructors. All of this means when you book a tour, you’ll be in confident hands with these pilots. After all, you want to feel safe and secure, zipping through the air like a bird.
Scenic Helicopter Tours offer three aircraft types that can hold anywhere from 2-6 people. All helicopters are routinely checked to provide customers with maximum safety. And all flights are FAA and National Park Service approved, guaranteeing that you’re flying with pros! Routine and preventive maintenance is key to the company’s safety rating.
All helicopters have comfortable leather seats and unobstructed views. The FAA requires all passengers to be weighed before flying, with the weight limit being 300 pounds. Once the tour’s passenger weight is determined, your pilot will seat people accordingly. He needs to distribute the weight for a safe and smooth flight.
Before looking at some tours, we wanted to share Scenic Helicopter’s other services. They offer private charters, golf ball drops, search and rescue, real estate, ranch, and wildlife surveys, to list a few.
But most of us will be more interested in the available tours. What we found appealing about Scenic Helicopter Tours is their price point: they offer tours for every budget.
The Lake View Tour is a prime example. With prices under $50 per person, this tour accommodates 2-6 people, flies over the Douglas Lake area, and has the Smoky Mountains as a backdrop. The tour covers 12 miles and lasts about 15-20 minutes.
Next on the list to consider is the National Park Tour, one of their popular ventures. While this costs much more than the Lake View Tour, you also see more and have a more extended flight. The tour is 50 miles, is open to 2-6 people, and offers stunning views of the Smoky Mountains. You’ll also soar near some of the park’s tallest peaks, like Clingmans Dome and Cove Mountain.
If you’re looking for a romantic flight to propose or celebrate an anniversary, look into their Sweetheart’s Delight Package. You’ll soar over Douglas Lake on a 16-mile tour limited to just you and your sweetheart.
The tour includes:
- A rose
- Chocolates
- A bottle of locally-produced wine or sparkling cider
- Two champagne flutes
Scenic Helicopter Tours suggest wearing dark clothing for better pictures. Light-colored material reflects light and may flare when photographed against the helicopter’s glass. Reservations are required; be sure to arrive thirty minutes before departure.
Whether you’re looking for your first helicopter ride or want to take in the fall colors of the Smoky Mountains, Scenic Helicopter Tours will have you soaring.
Insider Tip:
Scenic Helicopter Tours try to fill every seat on a tour to keep prices affordable. This means that others may be on the same flight you and your family are taking. Be sure you tip the pilot, which is customary and greatly appreciated.