We all have those people in our lives. We adore them, we couldn’t live without them, but, man, are they difficult to buy gifts for.
It’s a conundrum we’ve all experienced. The gift-giving obstacle can range from the fact that the recipient seemingly has everything they need to their preference for experiences in lieu of material gifts.
Cue the heli. Independent Helicopters was founded in 2008 by CEO and chief pilot Heather Howley who has been wowing even the most unwow-able with sightseeing tours around the Hudson Valley, Saratoga and New York City, ever since.
Sky’s the Limit Possibilities
Howley founded her company with a desire to serve an array of customers with different needs and wants. So, while she has created an impressive range of experiences to appeal to most adventure seekers, she is also happy to work with customers one-on-one to customize a special trip to celebrate a milestone birthday, anniversary, or other occasion.
You can even pop the question or make a grand entrance to your own wedding via helicopter. (And yes, Howley is happy to pack some bubbly for you!)
The Choose Your Own Adventure option can be highly personal. While you can schedule a sunset tour with panoramic views of Saratoga Springs or weave down the Hudson River and peep the ruins of Bannerman Castle or over the cliffs of the Shawangunk Ridge—and so much more—you can also, say, choose to get an aerial view of a special place or hot spot that has meaning to you and your guest of honor.
“People are really loving our customized tours,” Howley says. “Our most popular request is to do a flyover of a customer’s house, if they live in the area, to get a different perspective. We encourage people to come to us with ideas for their special events. We have dropped things out of our helicopters ranging from Easter eggs to hamburgers, and we love participating in gender reveals and proposals!”
Tailor a tour to impress your guest(s), or simply choose from one of their other exhilarating tour options, such as the Private New York City Tour, the West Point Adventure Tour or the Lake George Private Tour. One of the most popular is the High Spirits Tour, which allows you and your guests a day in the beautiful Hudson Valley and Shawangunk Mountains, peeping—and then sipping—the terroir.
The High Spirits Tour is an unforgettable way to enjoy some of the best craft beverages that the Hudson Valley has to offer. First stop is Apple Dave’s Orchard and Distillery or Orange County Distillery in Warwick. (You can do both for an additional fee.) At Apple Dave’s not only do you get to sample their estate-grown applejack spirits, but you can mosey over to Applewood Winery next door for a flight of wine, mead or Naked Flock cider, then grab a bite at the Cider Café.
Orange County Distillery offers a white-glove experience, with a crew meeting you at the chopper before giving you a tour around the tasting room and a flight of their spirits. There are also craft cocktails and craft beers from Orange County Brewing on tap.
If there are other locations you want to visit, Howley can make that happen, too. One of her favorite tour options combines a tour of NYC with a final drop off at Nu-Cavu Restaurant in Wallkill, where customers can arrive in style and finish off their flight with a delectable meal.
Making the Logistics Easy
With a fleet of nine helicopters, Howley also makes scheduling a ride convenient and easy, without the backup times and blackout dates often found with luxury experiential gifts. Convenience also means providing pick-up and drop-off service at Stewart Airport, Saratoga Airport, in New York City, or even at your home if space allows.
With tour prices starting at $325 for 30 minutes, a ride feels both aspirational (you’re in a helicopter after all!) and attainable. Rides are family friendly with seating for up to three people in a R44 chopper, and up to six in the Bell206 LongRanger.
Howley is also committed to giving back and mentoring other pilots. When she launched Independent Helicopters just 6% of pilots were women, and very few were flying helicopters. Howley has made it a point to certify Independent Helicopters as a woman-owned business, and actively works to mentor and empower the next generation of female pilots.
Let your imagination fly and create an exhilarating gift of a lifetime—even for the most well-traveled and well-heeled person you know. The sky’s no limit at Independent Helicopters: tell Howley what you want, where and when, and chances are, she will be able to make it happen.
Book an Independent Helicopters tour here.
