Ride a Helicopter at Backwoods 2019! (Interview)
Recently we got to catch up with Chuck, who runs Tulsa County Helicopters in Tulsa, OK. Tulsa County Helicopters will be on-site at Backwoods at Mulberry Mountain 2019, giving people rides all weekend long!
Hey Chuck, how's it going?
I'm doing great! Getting ready for an amazing weekend at Backwoods. Yourself?
Same here! Tell us about your company Tulsa County Helicopters.
My buddy and I started Tulsa County Helicopters eleven years ago: we had just graduated flight school, and were were trying to find a way to continue flying. All we had was a rented helicopter, an E-Z up tent, and my pickup truck. We would drive around and offer helicopter rides at pretty much any large outdoor gathering we could find… since then, we’ve bought our own helicopter, and built a successful commercial business out of it. We fly every day from our home base of operations in Tulsa, but we still travel to outdoor festivals like Backwoods. That’s how we first got started, and we like to stay true to our roots.
How did your relationship with Backwoods start?
We first started offering our rides at Backwoods when the festival was in Stroud, OK. The problem was, there was not a whole lot to see out there besides the venue itself. We still had a great time out there regardless, but I was ecstatic when they moved the festival to Mulberry Mountain. You can't find any better views than on Mulberry - it’s seriously our favorite place to fly!
Backwoods at Mulberry Mountain 2019 is less than 2 weeks away! When will you be there?
We will be out there on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Each day we’ll be flying from around noon until the sun sets.
How can people book a ride with you?
Well the process is about as simple and straightforward as you can get… all you have to do is show up at our tent! If you don’t know where that is, check the 2019 festival map. If there’s no line, we will get you right on-board. It’s first come first serve.
What's the best time to fly?
Well, everyone wants to get their ride in during sunset. It’s beautiful, but that’s also when the line starts to get really really long. If you really want to fly at that time, plan appropriately and show up early. Other than that, anytime when there is no line is the best time to fly!
Very good to know. How long are the rides typically?
The rides are six minutes long. That may seem pretty short, but what’s great about Mulberry Mountain is a six minute ride there is worth more than a thirty minute ride anywhere else. There’s so much natural beauty to see over there… as soon as we pick up and I clear the tree line, that’s when everybody gets their “aha” moment. When people are driving to the venue, it’s impossible to take in all of the beauty of the scenery. Once you take them above the tree line, it’s a whole different world. That’s when it really hits them.
Are the helicopter rides awesome?
Oh yeah, it’s a fantastic time. I usually play “welcome to the jungle” when I’m flying, so that should give you an idea of the mood. Not once in our eleven years of doing this have we ever had anyone say “I wish I hadn’t done that”. Sometimes it’s like a roller coaster ride, other times it’s peaceful. There are exciting parts to it, and there are tranquil parts to it. In six minutes, it covers just about every emotion you have.
How much will the rides be this year?
Rides are still $40 per person. There’s a small surcharge if you use a card, so I recommend paying in cash if you have it.
I’m sure people at Backwoods will want to go with their friends… how many people can go up in the helicopter at one time?
We can fit three passengers at a time!
Where can people find you on the internet?
Our website is www.tulsaheli.com, and we also have a Facebook page and a YouTube channel. At the festival, you can find us at our tent. (Again, if you don’t know where the tent is, check the 2019 festival map!)
We can’t wait! Thanks for taking the time. Anything else to add?
We’re looking forward to seeing everybody back on the mountain again! We’re ready to have a great time :)
Thanks to Chuck for doing this interview!