Have you ever riden on a helicopter??? If so, what was it like?

Question

I work for the police department; therefore, I can takea ride-along with the PD helicopter and check out what they do and go after bad guys! So I was really excited about that. But a co-worker of mine just went up with them and she said that it was like riding a rollercoaster for 2 hours! :o\ She said she wasnt too worried about it being up so high, but more worried about it making quick turns. She said she got a kinda of sick feeling in her stomach.

I'm ok when I go on planes, except if there is a lot of turbulence. But even then, i dont throw up. Do you think I will be ok for 2 hours on the helicopter? what if i take motion sickness pills beforehand? Any other tips/suggestions???

I really wanna go up, but not if im gonna be sick. ill never have this opportunity again though! :o\

Answer 1

Try taking some ginger capsules before you go; they really do work. I have given some to passengers I have taken up who were prone to motion sickness and they did fine.
Don't miss the opportunity. As a pilot and a cop, I have ridden on police helicopters many times as an observer and it was a view of the city that you don't normally get to see; even in fixed wing aircraft as police helicopters fly lower than fixed wings are allowed by law.
The ride really won't be bad at all. You'll be having too much fun to worry about being sick.

Answer 2

I've been in a helicopter twice. It's a little noisy, headsets are needed to talk. The most exciting ride was over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the big Island. The weather was calm, however a little cloudy. The ride lasted about a hour & half. Never had any problem of feeling ill, even when the pilot tipped the aircraft on a steep bank to get a better look.

You should have no problem. . .
~ ~ ~

Answer 3

Take this opportunity! Riding in a helicopter is much different from other aircraft because of how they move and the point of view you have. To be honest I got a little queasy on my first ride but didn't want to stop! If it's a clear cockpit and you can see straight down you very well might get that sick feeling. If you can get over that it is a blast and riding in a police chopper sounds like even more fun. Take some dramamine to be safe and go for it!

Answer 4

I have flown in a helicopter once for my birthday. What was it like? It was pretty, I mean VERY, loud. It was fairly smooth flying and there were slight vibrations from the engine. The turns were okay, you feel moderate G-forces when banking though. The landing wasn't too hard, just a slight bump when you hit the ground.

You will definitely be okay for two hours, you might actually get bored!

Motion sickness pills will help [of course] and will reduce the effects of banking, etc.

Tips, eh? Wear earmuffs or something similar; as I have mentioned above, it's noisy. Try to eat and drink as little as possible, you don't want to risk spewing all over yourself and the pilot.

Hope it helps!

Answer 5

I didn't get sea sick! I thought it was a lot of fun! They weren't doing a lot of quick turns or anything and the ride only lasted about 15-20 minutes but I really enjoyed myself!! I made my boyfriend sit on the edge of the seat! I sat in the middle next to the guy flying the thing! There weren't any backseats in the one I rode in.... (The doors were off)!! I really don't think that you will need motion sickness pills...If you can fly in a plane, Then you can definately handle this! Enjoy the View!

Answer 6

Go, you might want to take some motion sickness meds if you have had any previous issues. Try to get a cockpit seat if possible. Try to do this ride on a cool day. It is not unusual for anybody to get some disorientation caused by what you are seeing and what your body thinks it is doing. Ask your pilot to cut out all the hi-jinks. Tight turns and vertical recovery's can get to you if your not accustomed to air work. Note: We had issues with backseat students in certain training programs, the concept being if the non-flying student observed the student at the controls he/she might learn faster. They got sick quiet often, really bad on hot bumpier days.

Answer 7

I have just over 4000 hours in the back of the SH-60B Seahawk... DO take the ride !!

You MAY get alittle queasy especially at night with fewer visual references... ASK the pilot beforehand to point out the artificial horizon. Looking at IT will help, or it certainly helped me.

Take a garbage bag along to BE sick in... just in case !! I got ill on my second flight... and about a dozen more over 13 years of flying.

TAKE THE FLIGHT... it's a once in a lifetime !!

Answer 8

Yes and it was fun. I enjoyed my ride through the mountains. The pilot was trying to make my dad sick the whole time that made it even more fun. Don't let all these opinions decide for you, do it, you only live once. You may never get the chance again.

Answer 9

Try dramamine, scopalamine (both available in patches you put behind your ear) or a motion sickness bracelet - my wife swears by Bio-Bands, and has for years. She hates taking drugs and everyone we know who's used the Bio-Bands also swears by them. It's some kind of acupressure technique.

And have a blast! What an opportunity!! Law enforcement flying is kind of the middle of the road between posh air-taxis (like an airplane) and bare necessity military flying (cold and noisy). Go for it!

Answer 10

Definately go for it. My first ride in a helicopter was a flight lesson. The sensations are a little different than being in a small airplane, but you will get used to it quickly.