By Dana Afana | dafana@mlive.com
ANN ARBOR, MI — A helicopter tour company is offering short scenic fall tours in Ann Arbor.
Westland-based MI Flight Aviation, which also provides pilot training, is running two tours for $40 and $80 on Saturday, Oct. 24, and Sunday Oct. 25, at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport, 801 Airport Drive.
The $40 “fall scenery” tour will fly over the Huron River for passengers to get a glimpse of Ann Arbor’s fall color-changing landscape. The $80 “Big House” tour will combine the fall scenery tour with a flight over downtown and Michigan Stadium.
Book a tour here.
Each helicopter can fit three passengers or an extra person if a family has young children, said Cassandra McAllister, spokeswoman. Rides will range from four to eight minutes and the company will cap rides at 250 passengers per day.
“We were in Ann Arbor last summer and we did this as part of a fundraiser at the airport,” McAllister said.
Passengers typically receive headsets with a microphone but, due to the coronavirus, they will now receive disposable ear plugs instead. Staff will also ensure doors are securely locked and the interior is wiped every hour. Depending on the weather, doors may be removed to provide fresh air.
Guests will also be asked to wait in their vehicles or arrive at the time of their scheduled tour to promote social distancing.
MI Flight Aviation, which 26-year-old Sergio Troiani founded three year ago, also runs tours in Mackinac, Grand Rapids and Allegan.
“(Sergio) did something like this when he was little, McAllister said. “He went on a helicopter tour and absolutely fell In love. He got his license and quickly realized how expensive it is. He said, ‘If I’m going to fly, I have to figure out how to make money.’ This past year, it’s really taken off.”
Source: mlive