Sedona Air Tours

Coming from a person who loves living by the seat of his pants, I find it difficult to describe how enjoyable it was to take a helicopter tour with Red Rock Helicopters. But, despite my lack of sufficient words, I think its important to share my feelings with you and your company on how it not only affected me positively but, affected my eldest sons who joined me as well.

As a resident of the Verde Valley who works in Sedona, I empathize with people who think there isnt anything for the average citizen to do. I understand that it appears we live in a seasonal area catering to tourism but, it's no excuse not to take full advantage of all the various adventures at peoples' fingertips. Ive seen the biplanes, the helicopters, the Jeeps and the Hummers all chocked full of people anxious to see destinations locals know by heart but, not until I boarded a helicopter with one of your finest pilots (also a Hansen) did I understand why..

              
Seconds into our flight, before lifting off Airport Mesa, I asked myself why people booked tours I found typical and called cliche. Moments later, my heart lifted and filled with euphoria. I could feel my eyes growing larger and smiling broadening and all this came from somebody who served as an U.S. Army flight medic on board a UH-60 Blackhawk. Minutes into the flight, en route to Boynton Canyon and places Ive only seen by ground, I understood clearly why people came to Sedona and specifically flew high above.

         
The red rock, as we continue to praise them, is a spectacular site when seen at any angle but, discovering their beauty and mystique from the sky adds an entirely new perspective. I can only compare it to what I know not of, and that's ascending to heaven. During the flight over Boynton Canyon, Secret Canyon, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Butte, Broken Arrow, Bear Mountain, Red Canyon and all the intrinsic dwellings hidden between, I wanted to ask my sons how they were doing.

I wanted to check up on them ensuring they were having a good time but, with one glance backward seeing them both leaning into a window and scanning the flora and fauna below I knew I need not say a word. When the flight was over, I didnt care to hear anything; their smiles were enough. My middle son, Jessen, is always the talkative one. To find him in a lull of speech is rare, if not impossible. Incredibly, from the time we were buckled into place and the roots were well underway, he was quiet. Some think it was fear but, I knew better. He was reflective to the point of admitting to me afterwards he never imagined the difference of some sites seen from the air. Eloquently as one can be as a twelve-year-old, he finished the remaining days of his vacation asking aloud what I thought things looked like from above. It's the type of thinking I hope he carries with him through life, keeping an open mind and never take things at face value..

My oldest son, Jordan, will be a sophomore this year. His ambition beyond high school is to make it into the U.S. Air Force Academy where he hopes to graduate and become an aviator. Being in a helicopter for the first time not only granted him the sensation of flight, but the luxury of knowing if being a pilot was what he truly wanted in life. Since the flight I can happily say, he has kept his head in the clouds steadfast to learn. Though I would support my son no matter what he chose to do (within reason), I can’t thank you enough for not only being a company giving tours but honing a pursuit for happiness and desire.

For Jordan, the flight wasn’t just a summer tour with dad, it was an education and a gift he will cherish forever. It may just be the start of a wonderful relationship with the skies. All in all, I want to thank you for an amazing time. I found the opportunity to take what people consider a tour with their family and discovered it to be almost a necessary part of living in this region. From the second I stepped into Sedona Airtours’ doors until buying a souvenir at check out, my sons and I were treated and respected like family. I will never again of making the mistake of looking skyward and thinking of commercial business but instead wholesome entertainment and quality fun. Thank you so very much for all you’ve done and continue to do.

Yours truly,

Nate Hansen .