Belek Gyrocopter Tour: Is the Panoramic Flight Worth it? [Review]

So, you’re thinking about checking out Belek from a completely different angle, are you? The Belek Panoramic Gyrocopter Flight Tour sounds quite awesome, doesn’t it? Getting a bird’s-eye view of the Turkish Riviera? That is something you don’t get to do every day. The question very much is, with every opportunity for sightseeing, is it worth the cash and the time? I had the chance to take this trip recently, and I wanted to share every bit of the adventure, from booking to landing. Let’s get started, then.

What’s the Gyrocopter Flight Tour All About, anyway?

The Belek Panoramic Gyrocopter Flight Tour is pretty much what it sounds like: a tour, but from the sky! Instead of a helicopter or small plane, you’re up in a gyrocopter—kind of, like a cross between them both, almost. The open cockpit gives you a full view of the area surrounding Belek. That tends to be popular for those wanting outstanding photo opportunities or hoping to see the Antalya region in an unusual manner. The tours typically happen around sunrise and sunset to capitalize on that great lighting, and tour companies provide transfers to and from your hotel. The whole experience lasts a handful of hours. It all relies on how long your specific flight is.

Booking the Gyrocopter Ride

The tour came from a pretty solid recommendation, so booking was quite straightforward, very simple. Numerous outfits offer similar gyrocopter trips in Belek. That may mean you can find price variation and inclusions between providers. A bit of digging is suggested, to compare a few different tour operators before settling on one, too. I found one, that, apparently, had good reviews and seemed to offer the greatest length of time in the air for what they charged. That seems to be very beneficial.

Make sure to double-check what exactly is included in the price. Typically, you’ll have hotel transfers, the flight itself, and maybe some photographs or video. Some may offer extras, such as snacks or drinks. Once that operator was picked, booking could be done via their web page. They sent confirmation with all the information, together with pickup time and directions. Communication tended to be professional and very friendly.

Getting There and Pre-Flight Briefing

So, on the day of the trip, the driver came to pick me up right on time, as I had anticipated. The short ride to the airfield gave a glimpse of the Belek landscape. That makes you a little more excited about experiencing all this from up in the air! At the airfield, the pilot gave a security briefing, going through the flight path, what to look out for, together with any security measures. The gyrocopter looked rather compact, but well looked after.

Helmets with intercoms are standard, that let you talk to the pilot all through the flight. That made things rather reassuring! There’s a sense of anticipation as the gyrocopter warmed up. This whole experience seems very unique, really.

Up, Up and Away! What’s the Flight Like?

Taxiing onto the runway and taking off was fairly smooth. The ground seems to be rapidly shrinking. It feels like a rollercoaster. Once in the air, that’s when you truly start seeing the magnitude of where you are. The views are very spectacular! Belek’s golf courses appear neat and green below you, winding their way out to the Mediterranean coast. That’s when it starts to widen out into a crystal-clear blue.

The pilot was so informative, naming all kinds of spots. He shared facts concerning the region, along with some of the local habitat. That includes seeing the Taurus Mountains in the distance. It gives one an entirely new gratitude for the topography. I made sure to bring my camera, and I recommend you do too! Photographing everything from up there is actually picture-perfect. Remember, because a gyrocopter is pretty open, keep everything well strapped in.

The ride itself can be a bit breezy, but I didn’t think it was too bad. The gyrocopter may be a little loud, however the intercom system tends to work nicely. The pilot made sure I was alright every now and then, which was great. Eventually, we circled back. The landing was smooth. I wanted to do that a bunch more times! The whole flight, from start to finish, was almost about half an hour, yet that half hour seemed to fly by! What an awesome rush!

Safety Stuff – Is Gyrocoptering Safe?

Of course, there are always some concerns over the safety of small aircraft. All throughout my gyrocopter flight, the staff ensured that everything went by established safety standards. The pilots were well qualified, and gyrocopters are regularly maintained. Safety briefings will take care of many doubts, so listen with care. These trips are controlled. It can be argued that they’re as secure as is feasible, if regulations are carefully followed.

What’s Great, and What Wasn’t as Great?

The great stuff:

• Unsurpassed views: Getting to see Belek and the shoreline from the air is just incredible. The photo opportunities tend to be phenomenal, frankly.
• Competent pilots: They know the location really well and may give a wonderful, engaging experience.
• Handy hotel transfers: Pickup and drop-off are quite convenient and help to make the adventure stress-free, sort of.
• One-of-a-kind experience: How often do you get up in a gyrocopter, anyway?

The not-so-great stuff:

• Climate reliant: The trip can get called off due to bad weather conditions, that could mess up arrangements.
• Short flight duration: Although it’s advertised as half an hour or so, the flight goes quickly. You may feel like you wanted more time.
• Somewhat loud: The gyrocopter may be fairly loud, although the headsets lessen that problem to some extent, in some respects.

Gyrocopter Tour Versus Other Air Tours

You could be questioning, “How’s this gyrocopter tour different from, maybe, taking a hot air balloon ride or going up in a small plane?”. That seems to be fair, actually. Hot air balloons generally float pretty slowly. While you’re getting peaceful, smooth views, you might not go covering just as much area, is that it?

Little planes could fly quicker. Because they have windows and everything, the views could feel less engaging, as it turns out. A gyrocopter seems to sit somewhere in between. That is, because you’re out in the open air, you’ll get this feeling like you’re closely in touch with the location, although whizzing around a bit quicker than in a balloon.

Recommendations for Maximizing Your Flight

Do you wish to take the gyrocopter trip over Belek? That’s awesome! Listed below are a handful of tips and hints to make certain that you will enjoy it:

1. Check out the conditions: The forecast can alter quickly, that means confirm it is safe for flying before going to the airfield.
2. Wear the proper gear: Don layers to keep comfy and deal with the breeze up in the air, too it’s almost cold! Sun glasses are great to have as well, very much.
3. Bring a camera: Seriously, make sure your phone is fully charged, and maybe bring a compact camera to take top quality pictures. Secure all devices correctly.
4. Listen carefully: Pay attention to your pilot. He might give insights to spots from a vantage point you wouldn’t think about.
5. Inquire: Got questions? Speak up! Make sure all of your fears are alleviated, so that you are very comfy.
6. Book ahead: Specifically in peak tourist season, it is very smart to book in advance.

Is the Gyrocopter Flight Worth It, then?

Back to the main point: Is the Belek Panoramic Gyrocopter Flight Tour beneficial? The short answer would seem to be “yes”—very much so if you enjoy scenic views. A little adventure, is that it? If the expense isn’t prohibitive, then I thoroughly suggest checking out this trip, to make your excursion to Belek absolutely outstanding.

The memories, combined with photos, will make this a trip you’ll remember always.

FAQ: Common Questions About Belek Gyrocopter Tours