Manhattan Belle

 

Helicopter Flight Services, a company that provides tours in and around New York City, was started in 1986 by Topsy Turner and her former flying instructor, John Kjekstad. Topsy is from the East Coast, and John came to the USA from Norway in 1982. Both have a long history of flying, and both fly aeroplanes and helicopters. Because they both fly themselves and have a genuine love of aviation, this company has a particularly pilot-orientated feel, something that is often missing in tour companies.

Having had an excellent training relationship, it seemed natural for them to go into business together. As Topsy says, "we were on the same page."

They started the company with one Jet Ranger, flying out of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. At that time a few other companies were also doing tours, but although new helicopter tour companies have since started, all the original companies, except Liberty Helicopters and Helicopter Flight Services, have folded, making Helicopter Flight Services one of the oldest and most established tour companies in New York....