Go for a spin in the sky

Citizens can enjoy a chopper ride for ₹3,500 per person; the service to be operated in city for six days

January 13, 2017 11:49 pm | Updated 11:49 pm IST - Hyderabad:

Bird’s-eye view:  The Buddha statue in Hussainsagar lake seen in all its glory from the air during the chopper ride, in the city.

Bird’s-eye view: The Buddha statue in Hussainsagar lake seen in all its glory from the air during the chopper ride, in the city.

It’s a joyride in the sky that gives a bird’s-eye view of the city like never before. For ₹3,500, citizens can go for a spin in the sky.

Taking off from Necklace Road near Sanjeeviah Park, the chopper makes way across the sky showing the real size of the Hussainsagar lake and as it whirrs away, the city’s urban landscape unravels warts and all.

“We are using a 12-seater Bell 412 twin-engine helicopter which is rarely used for joyrides. The rides are available in two slots - between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and again between 2.30 p.m and 5 p.m. We are following Civil Aviation Requirement guidelines and we have local clearances for operating the service for six days,” informed Govind Nair of Thumby Aviation, which has brought the ride service to the city.

“We didn’t realise that the 10-minute ride is over. We came early and had to wait for some time. It appeared as if the ride was over even before it began,” said P. Reddy with a laugh, who came from Hayatnagar for the ride along with his family and was among the first few people to go for a spin on the first day.

One woman passenger wearing a sari found the experience of getting down the chopper in billowing wind a wee bit discomfiting.

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