Frequently Asked Questions

Sunshine’s fleet of helicopters seat (accommodate) six passengers plus your pilot. The weight & balance of the helicopter is computer generated and ensures proper seat assignment. This system is used to equally distribute the weight, ensuring the pilot a level and safe flying platform. Both fore/aft and lateral balance are considered along with overall total weight of the helicopter. There are two seats to the left of the pilot and four seats directly behind. Our helicopters are made for touring, so each seat provides an excellent view for all passengers. Special requests for certain seats will be granted if allowed by our weight and balance system. Safety is Sunshine’s #1 concern.

No, we do not have a set schedule. Tours are established solely upon your request of tour area, day and time. We will fly any tour anytime at your request, weather permitting. We suggest you book (reserve) your flight in advance to ensure availability. All of our tours offer an excellent view, and any flight time whether morning or afternoon should be fantastic.

Cameras are permitted on board and recommended. Our tours offer some of the most unique photo-taking opportunities anywhere on the planet. Your pilot will create a video of your actual flight utilizing our camera system which includes a cabin camera and nose camera (sold separately).

Helicopters unlike planes have no fixed wings. The main rotors act as a gyro and stabilize the helicopter in gusty conditions. If wind and gust are such that it will cause an uncomfortable flight, tours will be canceled. Your safety and comfort are our #1 concern.

We fly when it is safe and enjoyable; if the pilot feels that we will not provide a good quality tour, the tour will be cancelled. We will re-schedule based on availability or cancel if guest is unable to reschedule.

Clothing should be comfortable and casual. Dark shirts or tops are recommended for photo taking. Bright colored clothing may put a reflective glare on the helicopter plexiglass windows and reflect in your photos. Dark clothing helps to eliminate the reflection. Our climate control system keeps our helicopters at a comfortable temperature for the entire flight.

Although most of our guests enjoy our flights with no discomfort at all, some guests are prone to motion sickness. If this applies to you, we would recommend taking Dramamine or a similar product. As with all medicines, consult with your doctor before use. All of our flights are sightseeing tours and our pilots take pride in providing the smoothest, safest, and most enjoyable tours available. Helicopters have “Aloha” bags on board if needed.

Sunshine Helicopters, Inc. was founded in 1985. The company grew from one leased Bell 206B fourpassenger helicopter based at Kahului, Maui to present day ten owned helicopters including Astar 350 FX’s and WhisperSTAR EC 130 B4’s with operational bases at Kahului, Maui, Hapuna Heliport on the Big Island, Hawaii, Lihue Airport on Kauai.

No, helicopters are not equipped with restrooms. We do provide restroom facilities at each of our departure/landing sites.

Sunshine is proud to provide our guests with some of the most experienced pilots in the islands. Each of our pilots receives extensive company and factory training.

Tour descriptions are based on what sites have been most requested in the area to be toured. Every attempt will be made by our pilots to cover each site described or requested by you, weather permitting. Pilots will adjust their flight path for wind and weather. We have many alternate sites to recommend. You will have the very best helicopter tour of Hawaii! Again, your safety and comfort are our #1 concern.

Active lava viewing is available on the Big Island tours only. Lava is regularly seen on our flights over Volcanoes National Park.

FAA requires all tours must fly between “Sunrise and Sunset”; no tour may depart before sunrise and all tours must be on the ground before the sun sets.