Niagara helicopter pilot a true saviour

August 12, 2009

A helicopter offers a view of Niagara Falls like no other, and no one wants to leave without a picture, or 10. It’s also obvious just how imposing the landscape really is with its foaming white cascades, steep and rocky escarpment and swirling green river and whirlpool.

“There’s a huge magnetic field over Niagara Falls, there’s a lot of ozone created around the Falls, there are psychological things, they say that draws people,” said pilot Ruedi Hafen, who has heard all the theories. “I believe that big falling waters attract people.”

Hafen estimates his Niagara Helicopters Limited has given nearly 3 million people a birds-eye view of the Niagara Gorge. His polished blue helicopters, striped in red and yellow, have become part of the scenery, drumming 2,500 feet overhead year-round from morning until just after sunset.

But in recent years, they have also been on the scene of rescues and recoveries as Hafen, whose native Switzerland is a leader in air rescues, has forged partnerships with Canadian and U.S. law enforcement that have him helping train rescuers and responding to calls as a volunteer.

Tour guide Judy Holland said she brings passengers by the busload to Hafen, telling them the view from above will put the rest of their visit to the area in perspective. Countless couples have tied the knot in Hafen’s helicopters.

Thanks for the quotes to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ where more details are available.

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Written by Mary Drew · Filed Under Travel 

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