What Should You Wear on a Helicopter Ride

So, you’ve just booked a helicopter tour. Chances are that you’re pretty excited! Seeing the city via helicopter will give you a whole new perspective – literally. It’s a fantastic way to explore all that a city or natural landscape has to offer in a short period of time, all while learning interesting facts from your tour guide.

But you most likely have some questions as you prepare for your tour, like:

• What can you bring on the flight?
• What should passengers wear on a helicopter ride?
• What should you not bring or wear?
• What do I need to know about before take-off?

You want to make sure that you and your fellow riders are comfortable during the tour, especially if you are going on a longer ride. Helicopter tours range in time from 20 minutes to an hour, so you need to make sure that you’ve got all the right clothes and items on the flight before you take off.

Here at Sarasota Helicopter Tour, we get questions about what items to bring and not to bring on a flight all the time. So, we’ve made a list of what to wear on a helicopter ride and what items you should leave behind.

Layer Up for Comfort

Although the weather on land may be hot, temperatures will drop as you get high in the sky. Temperature rates drop by about 5 degrees per 1,0000 feet – but the wind can make it feel much cooler.

Helicopters also have an internal temperature control system. Many helicopters will pull in heat from the engine to keep the cabin warmer when flying in cool temperatures. But a cooling air system is also available in most helicopter models.

It is recommended that you dress according to the weather, but bring an added layer just in case. If it’s a hot sunny day, you may want to opt for light pants, and a light jacket if it’s cold. Make sure you’re able to remove your jacket easily if it gets too warm while you’re in the air.

Be Mindful of the Colors You Wear

You might not think that the color of your outfit really matters – but it does. Light colors like white or yellow can reflect the sun, which won’t look great if you want to take any pictures. But darker colors will also absorb a lot of the heat from the sun’s rays.

Instead, it’s best to go with more neutral colors that fall in the middle. This will ensure that your pictures turn out great and you don’t overheat.

Protect Your Toes!

Although flip-flops are probably the most common shoes people wear here in Florida, they are not recommended on a helicopter tour. Open-toed sandals leave your feet exposed, and they can get caught or even fall off while in the air.

It’s best to wear laced shoes, sneakers, or closed-toe boots instead. Heels should also be avoided – stick to comfortable flats instead, particularly ones with a grippy rubber sole.

Avoid Loose, Flowy Clothing

Although the idea of your dress flowing in the wind sounds fun, it is quite dangerous in a helicopter. Loose layers can get caught in the door or window openings. But make sure your clothes aren’t too tight either – you want to be able to freely move so you can get in and out of the helicopter easily.

Bring Sun Protection

The sunshine can get pretty bright while you’re up in the air. Make sure to bring a good pair of sunglasses to keep your eyes protected from the strong rays and apply sunscreen beforehand!

It is best to avoid wearing a hat on board. They can easily fly off your head as you approach the helicopter from the wind caused by the chopper. This could be quite dangerous, especially if the hat damages the rotor system.

Pack Items Carefully

The main item that people want to bring on a helicopter ride is a camera or phone, for obvious reasons. This is highly encouraged – but you may want to get some kind of strap to keep it on your person at all times. A neck or wrist wrap is ideal, so you won’t accidentally drop your phone or camera inside or outside of the helicopter.

You also should not bring any large bags like a backpack or purse on board, as space is limited. If there are any items you absolutely need, put them into a zipped pocket or get a small fanny pack instead.

What Items You Shouldn’t Bring on Board

Apart from the items we’ve already mentioned (flip flops, purses, backpacks, and hats), you should avoid any accessories that could get caught on anything. For example, long necklaces, dangly earrings, or scarves shouldn’t be worn as they could get caught in the door or something else.

If you have long hair, it is best to put it up in a bun or ponytail. You won’t want it whipping around while you’re trying to look outside the helicopter anyways!

Ready to Take Flight?

Taking a helicopter tour is a fun and exciting thrill for the whole family – but knowing exactly what to wear and bring will make it far more enjoyable.

If you are interested in booking a helicopter tour for your net visit to Sarasota, FL, contact us! We offer several tour options and take-off times to show you all that the beautiful city of Sarasota has to offer.