Helicopter Ride with Upper Limits Aviation

While we were away from family dinners for a few weeks after Darcie was born, Danelle and LeeAnn came up with a brilliant idea.  They decided that once a month two of us should have a date night while the third couple would watch everyone's kids.  No more trying to find a babysitter or wondering what to pay them.  They also decided we should have a dutch oven night once a month.  We were on board with both of these fantastic ideas as soon as we heard them.  In November, Mike and Burke were up for planning the date night while Chev and Nellie watched all the kids.  Burke and Mike were being very sneaky, planning a surprise date for LeeAnn and I.  They were bummed when their plans fell through, but we still had a fun night going to a fancy restaurant up at Brian Head Ski Resort for dinner.

The next day, we got a call from Mike saying that the surprise was on - a helicopter ride from Upper Limits Aviation!  ULA teamed up with Southern Utah University about 2 years ago to introduce a helicopter pilot program.  A man named Gordon (can't remember his last name) lives in Mike's ward and is one of the directors of the ULA and gave us the sweet hookups to go for a ride.  

While we waited at the helicopter hanger, Gordon told us all about their program and how successful it has been.  They have about 160 students and next semester they are gaining 80 additional students!  He said many of their students are military veterans who are using their GI bill to get their license which costs over 200k!  He also said that between maintenance and gas, it cost about $700 an hour to fly the helicopters so it was extremely kind of them to let us take a ride.  Apparently a helicopter generally has to be completely stripped down to the frame and rebuilt every 12 years, but because these helicopters are flown so frequently they have a complete overhaul about every 14 months!  

The helicopter we rode in was a 4 seater so Mike, LeeAnn and Macie went for the first ride and then Burke, Sadie and I.  Gordon didn't want any of the little girls up there because he was worried they would get air sick.  Thankfully Aubrey and Daphne were too little to get that they were missing out, but poor Laney was so disappointed.  

I was really scared initially because I have a major fear of heights and have had a few scary turbulence experiences flying in airplanes.  However, I was amazed that I didn't get scared even once throughout the flight!  I felt completely safe even though our pilot Shay said that we were getting some good turbulence since it was a windy day - I could hardly feel a thing!

It was absolutely beautiful up there and I am so grateful we had the chance to have this amazing date!