The helicopter journey is one of the unmissable experiences that each one of us wants to have at least once in our lifetime. People use helicopters for both leisure and business. They are also used by military personnel in defense missions. Helicopters offer the utmost flexibility and convenience, taking you to places that could not be reached via traditional transport modes. Celebrities like Brad Pitt, Donald Trump, and Angelina Jolie own a luxury helicopter.
Ever since helicopters were invented some have become extremely famous while others have been dumped in the pages of history. From Europe’s Tiger, the United States’ legendary Apache to Russia’s formidable Mi-28, and China’s Z-10, there are many modern attack helicopters. Airbus H225 Super Puma and AgustaWestland AW101 are the most expensive and extremely popular helicopters in the world that have redefined luxury travel. Let’s take a look at the 12 most iconic helicopter flights in the world.
The 12 Most Famous Helicopter Flights in the World
We have curated a list of the 12 most famous helicopter flights in the world.
1- Boeing AH-64 Apache (USA)
The list of the best helicopters in the world won’t be complete without the Boeing AH-64 Apache. It is the most famous attack helicopter made by Hughes Aircraft. Over the past few decades, this helicopter has been used extensively. It was used during the Gulf War for attacks on the radar system of Iraq and later operations in Afghanistan and Iran. This aircraft was also used for NATO intervention in Kosovo and Bosnia to Israeli action in Lebanon. It was introduced into service in 1986 and today many air forces use Apache helicopters. The Boeing AH-64E Apache is the current version of this aircraft.
2- Mil Mi-8
The Mil Mi-8 is the most produced helicopter in the world. With its first flight in July 1961, this Soviet-designed aircraft became an important asset in civilian and military operations. Over 35 civil/military versions including the very powerful and capable Mi-17 have been used for gunship/armed reconnaissance, transportation, and dropping radiation-absorbing materials at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant’s failed reactor to heavy civilian airlift. With about 250 kilometers per hour speed and up to 450 kilometers range, it can carry up to 4,000 kilograms of payload internally or 5,000 kilograms externally.
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3- Airbus H225 Super Puma
Airbus H225 Super Puma is one of the most luxurious private helicopters in the world. Priced at $28 million, it showcases the best of sophistication and luxury in the aerial transportation world. Airbus Helicopters manufactured and designed this helicopter and it boasts premium amenities and exceptional safety features. It features a lavishly appointed and spacious cabin you can easily customize to meet your specific requirements. The cabin offers state-of-the-art amenities and ample seating. Its powerful engines offer impressive range and speed with superb fuel efficiency. It can accommodate up to 24 passengers and the pilot at one time. It is mostly used for offshore transportation, military operations, and search and rescue.
4- Bell 206 JetRanger
The Bell JetRanger gained immense popularity in the West. It could be seen in the skies, in newspapers, in films, and on television for five decades. Whether transporting emergency medical patients, chasing 55 mph-disdaining speeders, shuttling celebrities to events, or providing TV news live local pictures, the Bell 206 family has served multiple purposes. Initially, it was a military aircraft designed in response to a light observation helicopter’s requirement. However, the company later started marketing it as a civilian aircraft. One Bell 206 helicopter’s version has served in an armed forces role in around 40 countries.
5- Westland Lynx
The Westland Lynx is a multipurpose military helicopter. This British-designed helicopter was built by Westland Helicopters. Before becoming the first fully aerobatic helicopter its first prototype flew in 1971. After its first flight, the Lynx started showing its special main rotor design’s benefit allowing it to perform rolls, loops, and handles like a fixed-wing aircraft. It set a speed record at 199.9 mph in 1972. The Lynx debuted in British Navy/Army service in the late 1970s in anti-tank, anti-ship, transport, armed escort, anti-submarine, and other roles.
6- Boeing CH-47 Chinook
The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is one of the most iconic helicopters in the world. This tandem-rotor helicopter has been designed in a way that it can adjust each rotor independently enabling it to adapt to different cargo weights. This helicopter is an invaluable asset to many militaries worldwide. It also holds the reputation as the third-fastest chopper around. The recently built CH-47F can reach over 195 mph top speed.
7- Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is the air assault helicopter and primary medium-lift utility transport of the U.S. Army. From the S-70 design, it was developed and in 1979 it entered into service. Major variants include the Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk for rescue and combat search, the Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk for naval purposes, and many other upgrades including various special operation, export, and VIP types. Over the years, various upgrades have taken place and the UH-60M is the latest version.
8- Bell Huey
Bell Huey is not a single helicopter but consists of an entire family of helicopters. It comprises around a hundred different civilian and military helicopters. This helicopter family has existed since the first XH-40 prototype’s first flight was made back in October 1956. Bell keeps churning out new family members regularly. Some of the iconic members of this family include the UH-1 Iroquois which has become the symbol of the Vietnam war. More modern family members have been utilized in electronic warfare to MEDEVAC to search and rescue and surveillance.
9- Bell 47
The Bell 47 is known to be the first helicopter that was certified by the FAA for civilian use. Most of the helicopters that were manufactured after the Bell 47 followed its footsteps. Within militaries worldwide, the Bell 47 stayed very popular as a light observation helicopter. Indeed, it became the most featured helicopter for film studios. It was seen in TV shows and movies from the superhit show M*A*S*H (1972-1983) to the campy 1960s Batman show and the James Bond film Thunderball (1965). Despite the rolling off the factory floor that produced this helicopter almost fifty years ago, this helicopter remains the most popular one ever.
10- Robinson R44
The Robinson R44 is the most versatile helicopter ever produced. It has been used by eminent personalities, standard police, VIP operators, and military personnel as well as air tour operators, cargo operators, and flying clubs being an easy-to-handle GA helicopter. It is the cheapest mass-production helicopter and holds many other records. It is also the media’s favorite. This helicopter has been used for shooting scenes in modern TV shows and films. It has been featured in TV shows such as Hawaii Five-0 and FBI and cult classics such as The Spy Next Door, the 2010 comedy.
11- Mil Mi-26
Mil Mi-26 is also known as Halo. It is the heaviest helicopter in the world to ever go into mass production. This helicopter is so powerful and large that a 23,000-year-old Woolly Mammoth found in the Siberian Tundra could be moved by it. It was originally designed for the transportation of outsize cargo (such as plans to transport the Buran project bits) for the Eastern and Soviet Bloc states and militaries. It gained an immense reputation among the people there because of the massive role it played in propaganda.
12- AgustaWestland AW109
AgustaWestland AW109 initially served as a multipurpose commercial helicopter. It has served different purposes ranging from SAR to a newscopter to a military helicopter. It is hailed to be one of the best VIP helicopters in the world.
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