CLEVELAND - Looking for a unique adventure for the family or those out-of-town guests this holiday season?
New helicopter tours of downtown Cleveland are being offered at Burke Lakefront Airport, giving many locals a bird's eye view of the holiday lights for the first time ever.
"Honestly, that's what keeps me going," says owner Steve Overy, owner of Paratus Air. "I really love seeing people get out of the helicopter with a big smile on their face. Most of them are nervous as can be getting in. They get out, and they love it."
The 26-year-old founded the company in 2012 and began offering similar high-flying tours of Put-in-Bay, where the company still operates seasonally.
Overy kicked off helicopter rides here in Cleveland about five weeks ago, and they are already giving tours 7 days a week.
"Our number one customer is families," says Overy. "Mom and dad, they bring their kids and they like to go see the Christmas light in wintertime, which is absolutely gorgeous."
Paratus Air offers two different tours. A shorter 5-6 minutes tour will take you around the downtown skyline and over the city's sports arenas. The longer version lasts 12-15 minutes and flies along the coast from Lakewood out to Lake County.
Tours cost $50-$100 per person.
In addition to tours, the company offers charter service flights and flight instruction for aspiring helicopter pilots.
For more information, visit paratusair.com or call 914-FLY-HELI.
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