Downtown Detroit Helicopter Tours Coming Soon!

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July-08-13, 01:34 PM
jw101

Downtown Detroit Helicopter Tours Coming Soon!

Hello! I am working on starting a helicopter tour business in Downtown soon. Detroit attracts over 19 million tourists a year, and it's growing! But, they're getting tired of the current options. Everything is going good, but I need YOUR help! This DOES NOT require any monetary support, just a simple click. if you go to http://www.startgarden.com/ ,you will need to sign in using Facebook. after that, go to the Ideas page [[Ideas tab should be at top of page) then find XOGI Tours. Simply click the picture, and click "endorse". It means a lot to me! I really want this in Detroit, and if this succeeds, I will personally continue to grow the tourist market in Detroit, by adding speedboat tours, double-decker bus tours, and eventually, Detroit's first SkyDeck. Thanks so much!
July-08-13, 05:06 PM
Cliffy

There is no way Detroit even attracts 1 millions tourists a year
July-08-13, 05:16 PM
jw101

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliffy

There is no way Detroit even attracts 1 millions tourists a year

No, over 19 million visitors. Crazy, I know!
July-08-13, 05:16 PM
Honky Tonk

You're not going to be doing any "Ghetto Gawking" tours, are you?
July-08-13, 05:17 PM
marshamusic

I love your enthusiasm - but I have no desire to hear helicopters overhead.
July-08-13, 05:18 PM
jw101

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

You're not going to be doing any "Ghetto Gawking" tours, are you?

Lol, no. What is that?
July-08-13, 05:19 PM
Honky Tonk

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw101

Lol, no. What is that?

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/201...awking_to.html
July-08-13, 05:20 PM
jw101

Quote:

Originally Posted by marshamusic

I love your enthusiasm - but I have no desire to hear helicopters overhead.

You live downtown? I've been to Myrtle Beach, home of the $20 helicopter tour!
July-08-13, 08:37 PM
marshamusic

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw101

You live downtown? I've been to Myrtle Beach, home of the $20 helicopter tour!

Close enough.
July-08-13, 08:40 PM
rb336

The NAIAS brings around 100K non-detroiters each year. the electronic music festival, hoedown and jazz festival all bring in international visitors. Detroit isn't a giant tourist destination, but it is growing. Get good retail and a couple more theatres going and it could be on its way to being one
July-08-13, 09:47 PM
Chicago48

Not even 1Million tourists to Detroit

Quote:

Originally Posted by marshamusic

Close enough.

Detroit won't be in the bigtime until it becomes one of the top 10 or top 5 tourist destinations. It's nowhere near that.
July-08-13, 10:43 PM
wolverine

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliffy

There is no way Detroit even attracts 1 millions tourists a year

Detroit has casinos, big conventions, concerts and sporting events, and tunnels and bridges to Canada. It doesn't matter if visitors are in-state. They are still tourists if they are coming into the city and spending money at area attractions and staying overnight in downtown hotels.
July-08-13, 10:53 PM
wolverine

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicago48

Detroit won't be in the bigtime until it becomes one of the top 10 or top 5 tourist destinations. It's nowhere near that.

Cities reach bigtime when they become large destinations for international travelers. Those are the people that spend alot. Good news is the whole state of Michigan has alot to offer, so Detroit should become part of that larger travel package. Getting alot of international visitors downtown is also one of the key components of building a top notch retail scene. Great thing is Detroit already has a lot of international notoriety, and it's nothing mean spirited like you find here in the U.S.
July-08-13, 11:19 PM
marshamusic

http://www.detroityes.com/mb/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by marshamusic http://www.detroityes.com/mb/images/...post-right.png
Close enough.

Detroit won't be in the bigtime until it becomes one of the top 10 or top 5 tourist destinations. It's nowhere near that.

... this has to do with helicopters overhead?
July-08-13, 11:29 PM
Lowell

Quote:

Originally Posted by marshamusic

I love your enthusiasm - but I have no desire to hear helicopters overhead.

+1^ I have experienced helicopter joy rides / tours buzzing over me along Miami area beaches. They ruin the ambience of the setting to the point of drowning out conversation.

So hopefully any planned flights will be at least 3000 feet or higher. Otherwise the peace of thousands may be disrupted for the thrill of a few.

Does anyone know the FAA airspace / noise abatement regulations on such commercial flying joy rides? It seems that there are none in South Florida.
July-08-13, 11:30 PM
michimoby

Why not do copter service from Detroit to, say, Traverse City? I mean, if they're doing it from NYC to the Hamptons...
July-09-13, 06:07 AM
48205to24

Dont forget the thousands that come each year for family reunions. Detroit is akways a top destination. Also residents, I would like to try it.
July-09-13, 02:16 PM
jw101

Quote:

Originally Posted by 48205to24

Dont forget the thousands that come each year for family reunions. Detroit is akways a top destination. Also residents, I would like to try it.

See! not a bad idea at all. I was thinking the tour would begin close to belle isle, travel to MCS, then Packard, then Heidleberg, then back.
July-09-13, 02:33 PM
TexasT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliffy

There is no way Detroit even attracts 1 millions tourists a year

The 7.2SquareMile Report tallied up 10M annual visitors just to greater downtown alone. The Tigers had what, 3M in attendance last year? Those are mostly non-Detroiters I'd wager.
July-09-13, 02:41 PM
Honky Tonk

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw101

See! not a bad idea at all. I was thinking the tour would begin close to belle isle, travel to MCS, then Packard, then Heidleberg, then back.

Hold a contest! Do a slow decent next to one of the Brewster Project towers. The first passenger that figures out what the scribbling on the walls say WINS a bag of White Castles from 12th and MI Ave. You could land @ the Tiger Stadium field and pick them up.
July-09-13, 03:17 PM
Zug

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

You're not going to be doing any "Ghetto Gawking" tours, are you?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw101

Lol, no. What is that?

It's this...

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw101

See! not a bad idea at all. I was thinking the tour would begin close to belle isle, travel to MCS, then Packard, then Heidleberg, then back.
July-09-13, 03:27 PM
Cliffy

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasT

The 7.2SquareMile Report tallied up 10M annual visitors just to greater downtown alone. The Tigers had what, 3M in attendance last year? Those are mostly non-Detroiters I'd wager.

I consider a tourist coming in from outside Michigan not me driving from my suburb 15 mins away down to a Tigers game.
July-09-13, 03:30 PM
jw101

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zug

It's this...

LOL. Things are still in development that's just a thought. Any better route suggestions?
July-09-13, 04:39 PM
Richard

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowell

+1^ I have experienced helicopter joy rides / tours buzzing over me along Miami area beaches. They ruin the ambience of the setting to the point of drowning out conversation.

So hopefully any planned flights will be at least 3000 feet or higher. Otherwise the peace of thousands may be disrupted for the thrill of a few.

Does anyone know the FAA airspace / noise abatement regulations on such commercial flying joy rides? It seems that there are none in South Florida.

Miami is pretty liberal or busy chasing drug planes,Kissimmee [[kiss-a-me) helo tours have a specific pattern over no residential and only during certain hours disrespecting ones right to peace and quiet would make you a moving target sans the rules it is not tolerated.

If I am not out of line, Fly By Mike used to post here he would probably have some knowledge , it is not like you can just throw a helo up there at will.

But something that promotes and profits from tourism in the city in a positive and respectful way would be a big plus.
July-09-13, 05:05 PM
Downriviera

My zip line tour I'm planning from the Ren Cen to Fisher building will cut into your business.
July-09-13, 05:39 PM
coracle

It's an anti-social noisy idea for people living on the flight path. If they live on the water of course it may get drowned out by the Speedboat tours and the Double Decker Buses.
July-09-13, 05:42 PM
marshamusic

Quote:

Originally Posted by coracle

It's an anti-social noisy idea for people living on the flight path.

Guess that's what I was sayin' - but nicer.
July-09-13, 05:52 PM
Downriviera

The first customer will be EM Kevin Orr, giving the creditors an aerial view of the devastation.
July-09-13, 05:57 PM
jw101

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downriviera

My zip line tour I'm planning from the Ren Cen to Fisher building will cut into your business.

lol, that sounds really fun. a bit over your head though.
July-09-13, 06:59 PM
Meddle

Will your birds have armor plating?

Will they be able to return ground fire?
July-09-13, 09:43 PM
jw101

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meddle

Will your birds have armor plating?

Will they be able to return ground fire?

lol what? idk what that means
July-10-13, 10:37 AM
Gannon

You must not be from around here.
July-10-13, 12:49 PM
downtownguy

Several years ago [[2007?) they offered helicopter rides during River Days from the area just east of Rivard Plaza. I popped for one at $35. We went in a counter-clockwise circle ascending over Lafayette Park through lower Midtown to Tiger Stadium and back. Lasted 15-20 minutes and I thought it was well worth it. Marsha, I was living in one of the Lafayette Park hi-rises at the time and they went right overhead all weekend. I never felt they were a nuisance.

jw101, if you haven't already, you might see who you can contact that was associated with those tours, and see if they would share any info on it's profitability and/or viability as a continuing operation.
July-10-13, 04:12 PM
poobert

Some of you act like you would take a flying machine as a sign the gods are angry. Sometimes I wonder what century Michiganders are living in.

As if we didn't already have helicopters. There are the news helos, police helos, USCG helos, and numerous other ones constantly buzzing around. And if the new big thing to worry about in Detroit is helo noise, well, then you probably haven't been paying attention.

There is also virtually nowhere in the metro area where you can't hear the constant din of freeways. Go somewhere that doesn't jam freeways through everything and the difference is startling. Again, I'm not quite sure what paradise is being lost here.

I'm not convinced Detroit is a big time tourist destination [[once you rule out dreary auto industry folks and Canadians coming to work or school I'm sure the numbers plummet) but I can't really find fault with this idea. I think people would pay money for helo tours and it could be a profitable enterprise. Good luck.
July-11-13, 07:43 AM
jw101

Quote:

Originally Posted by poobert

Some of you act like you would take a flying machine as a sign the gods are angry. Sometimes I wonder what century Michiganders are living in.

As if we didn't already have helicopters. There are the news helos, police helos, USCG helos, and numerous other ones constantly buzzing around. And if the new big thing to worry about in Detroit is helo noise, well, then you probably haven't been paying attention.

There is also virtually nowhere in the metro area where you can't hear the constant din of freeways. Go somewhere that doesn't jam freeways through everything and the difference is startling. Again, I'm not quite sure what paradise is being lost here.

I'm not convinced Detroit is a big time tourist destination [[once you rule out dreary auto industry folks and Canadians coming to work or school I'm sure the numbers plummet) but I can't really find fault with this idea. I think people would pay money for helo tours and it could be a profitable enterprise. Good luck.

AMEN! So well said, thank you, I appreciate it.
July-11-13, 08:04 AM
Honky Tonk

Quote:

Originally Posted by poobert

Some of you act like you would take a flying machine as a sign the gods are angry. Sometimes I wonder what century Michiganders are living in.

As if we didn't already have helicopters. There are the news helos, police helos, USCG helos, and numerous other ones constantly buzzing around. And if the new big thing to worry about in Detroit is helo noise, well, then you probably haven't been paying attention.

There is also virtually nowhere in the metro area where you can't hear the constant din of freeways. Go somewhere that doesn't jam freeways through everything and the difference is startling. Again, I'm not quite sure what paradise is being lost here.

I'm not convinced Detroit is a big time tourist destination [[once you rule out dreary auto industry folks and Canadians coming to work or school I'm sure the numbers plummet) but I can't really find fault with this idea. I think people would pay money for helo tours and it could be a profitable enterprise. Good luck.

I think you're hearing things. It's one thing to have a 'copter fly by once in a while, and another to have it flying by day in day out over and over, same pattern, or hanging there hovering while people gawk. Go visit a friend either in Dearborn, or Romulan Territory. You'll hear what I mean.
July-12-13, 06:04 AM
night-timer

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw101

Hello! I am working on starting a helicopter tour business in Downtown soon. Detroit attracts over 19 million tourists a year, and it's growing! But, they're getting tired of the current options. Everything is going good, but I need YOUR help! This DOES NOT require any monetary support, just a simple click. if you go to http://www.startgarden.com/ ,you will need to sign in using Facebook. after that, go to the Ideas page [[Ideas tab should be at top of page) then find XOGI Tours. Simply click the picture, and click "endorse". It means a lot to me! I really want this in Detroit, and if this succeeds, I will personally continue to grow the tourist market in Detroit, by adding speedboat tours, double-decker bus tours, and eventually, Detroit's first SkyDeck. Thanks so much!

I have done a lot of aerial photography from helicopters. I fly with the door removed as it creates more possibility of shooting angles and just better freedom of movement in general. A bigger chopper, like the Bell Jet Ranger, gives a more stable platform. It seems you are looking for a funding grant to start your Detroit-based tourism business. That's what I noticed when I visited the Start Garden website in your link. You sound very entrepreneurial, yet you are doing a business start-up with none of your own money? I don't think of speedboat tours when I think of Detroit. It also surprises me that you want to start multiple tourism-based businesses in Detroit, yet you have never heard of "ghetto gawkers" nor know what the term means. Don't get me wrong, Detroit has a lot to offer. I'd rather see ruin porn or people ghetto-gawking than those reality TV shows about pawn stores, antique bargain hunters or tow-truck repo outfits.
July-13-13, 07:42 PM
jw101

Quote:

Originally Posted by night-timer

I have done a lot of aerial photography from helicopters. I fly with the door removed as it creates more possibility of shooting angles and just better freedom of movement in general. A bigger chopper, like the Bell Jet Ranger, gives a more stable platform. It seems you are looking for a funding grant to start your Detroit-based tourism business. That's what I noticed when I visited the Start Garden website in your link. You sound very entrepreneurial, yet you are doing a business start-up with none of your own money? I don't think of speedboat tours when I think of Detroit. It also surprises me that you want to start multiple tourism-based businesses in Detroit, yet you have never heard of "ghetto gawkers" nor know what the term means. Don't get me wrong, Detroit has a lot to offer. I'd rather see ruin porn or people ghetto-gawking than those reality TV shows about pawn stores, antique bargain hunters or tow-truck repo outfits.

Thanks for the tip! Everyone please remember to head to http://www.startgarden.com/ and endorse XOGI Tours!
July-14-13, 07:05 AM
marshamusic

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

I think you're hearing things. It's one thing to have a 'copter fly by once in a while, and another to have it flying by day in day out over and over, same pattern, or hanging there hovering while people gawk. Go visit a friend either in Dearborn, or Romulan Territory. You'll hear what I mean.

Thank you.
July-14-13, 08:05 AM
Zacha341

There's no amount of money that could put me up in a helicopter outside of a medic transfer where of course I know they save lives. I am just too scared otherwise... I have seen the tours before and folks seems to love it.
July-14-13, 08:11 AM
marshamusic

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw101

Thanks for the tip! Everyone please remember to head to http://www.startgarden.com/ and endorse XOGI Tours!

I will join my community in doing what we can to prevent you from flying tours over our quiet, peaceful neighborhood of Lafayette Park.

Detroit is not a blank slate.
July-14-13, 09:40 AM
jw101

Quote:

Originally Posted by marshamusic

I will join my community in doing what we can to prevent you from flying tours over our quiet, peaceful neighborhood of Lafayette Park.

Detroit is not a blank slate.

weren't cities meant to be loud? Since when is a quiet downtown normal? I could come up with another activity, but just saying.
July-14-13, 10:56 AM
Zacha341

Hmm, that's a point -- I live not too far from a hospital and we get buzzed by medic helicopters sometimes. It's tolerable as you know someones life is being saved. Day in and day out for entertainment. Not sure if I'd be feeling that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by marshamusic

I will join my community in doing what we can to prevent you from flying tours over our quiet, peaceful neighborhood of Lafayette Park.
July-14-13, 11:13 AM
Lowell

Originally Posted by Meddle http://www.detroityes.com/mb/images/...post-right.png
Will your birds have armor plating?

Will they be able to return ground fire?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw101

lol what? idk what that means

It means don't offer New Year's eve fly overs.
July-14-13, 01:00 PM
MaxCady

Clearly this is meant to tap into the overwhelming demand for aerial tours of beautiful and scenic Zug island.

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