It is hard for some to believe that people have been flying over Niagara Falls in helicopters since Spring of 1961! In that year, Niagara Helicopters began as a small operation with one small 2-seat helicopter from the current site of the iconic Skylon Tower. When construction on the tower began in 1962, operations were moved to a temporary location within the town but only for a short time while they searched and found their current location along the Niagara Parkway near what is now known as the Whirlpool Aero Car and Observation area. The business was indeed popular and over the next several years added 4 more helicopters to the fleet.
Niagara Helicopters
Completely Invested in Tourism
April 4th 2025
After some years of struggling through the winter while enjoying an onslaught of tourists in the summer, the company needed a way to stabilize their off-season. They became a training facility for helicopter pilots wherein the pilots would train in winter and then build their flying hours with tours over Niagara Falls in the summer. By 1974, Niagara Helicopters had become one of the top-rated helicopter training facilities in Canada having trained the vast majority of pilots in the industry at the time. Tourism had become a secondary priority.
In 1982, an enterprising young man changed it all. Ruedi Hafen was one of the young pilots who trained at the facility. When the operation was put up for sale that same year, he gathered a group of partners including Ev McTaggart who was a very savy Marketing Specialist and together they bought the business. The eager young entrepreneurs thought that the company could be one of the leading helicopter sightseeing companies in the world with investment and hard work. They began with a gravel lined helipad and a single 4-seat helicopter in the summer of 1983. Within 5 years they expanded to a fleet of 2 4-passenger and 1 6-passenger aircraft and the growth continued over the next decade vastly exceeding their founders and the Tourism Industry’s expectations.
After many years of success Mr. Hafen felt it was time to retire in 2012. He searched for owners who would continue his legacy and continue to grow the company. He found the right group in Helicopter Transport Services Canada. Within the first three years, the company had invested millions of dollars in the property and in new aircraft exchanging the aging fleet for 4 state-of-the-art Airbus H130 helicopters. These machines were specifically designed with the tourism industry in mind. They boasted three front seats, floor to ceiling windows, stadium-style seating in the back, sound proof interiors, air conditioning and so much more.
And the legacy continues today. The company recently announced the purchase of 4 new Airbus H130 helicopters scheduled for delivery in fall of this year. The new fleet ushers in a new era for the company with a refreshing new brand as well. Watch for the new look to be revealed in September 2025
Find more details and learn how to book your next adventure with Niagara Helicopters through the CanaDream Club!
