Fly The Huey: Iconic Huey Flights over Cape Town

Fly The Huey operates as a distinctive helicopter tour provider based in Cape Town, Western Cape, offering experiences centred on a fully restored Bell UH-1 Iroquois (Huey). The aircraft is presented as a veteran ex-military helicopter with a long history, refurbished and certificated for commercial passenger operations by the South African Civil Aviation Authority in 2007. The service presents itself as a rare opportunity to travel in a true Vietnam-era Huey, flown by experienced pilots who emphasise safety and professional handling throughout the journey.

From a perspective of the customer experience, the operator positions itself around two core themes: the thrill of an open-door flight and the scenic value of Cape Town’s coastline, beaches, and landmarks. The Huey flights are marketed as “private” adventures for all flights except the Combat option, meaning the helicopter is paid for as a private vehicle capable of carrying up to nine passengers per flight. This private arrangement contrasts with the combat-style experiences, which are offered per seat, signalling a structured choice between exclusive group experiences and shared-content options for budget or social bookings.

The flight portfolio is differentiated by duration and destination, with a range of Cape Town–specific routes designed to showcase notable coastal and inland sights. Typical routes include a City Centre flight that captures the city’s aerial views; Camps Bay and Hout Bay for Atlantic Seaboard scenery and the Twelve Apostles; a Two Oceans Half Peninsula flight that shares a name with the famous Cape Town marathon; and a longer Cape Point Full Peninsula flight that reaches the Cape Point Nature Reserve within Table Mountain National Park. A notable longer itinerary is the Cape Point Full Peninsula route, described as the world-renowned Huey experience, which promises extensive coastal and landmark visibility from the air.

Operationally, the company presents the Huey experiences as high-profile, low-level flights that emphasise a visceral sense of movement and wind, particularly when the doors are opened or removed for the experience. While the Combat option is marketed per seat and a longer Combat Mini is offered as a full-flight package, most standard scenic experiences are marketed as private charters, underscoring a customised and potentially more intimate passenger experience. The pricing structure illustrates a tiered approach, with “per seat” pricing applied to the Combat flight and per-flight pricing applied to private Huey bookings, with passenger capacity for private flights noted as up to nine passengers per flight.

The provider’s about page offers a detailed backstory about the Huey’s history, its 1966 manufacture, military service in Vietnam, and a subsequent civilian lifecycle. This context supports a narrative of authenticity and heritage, with maintenance oversight described as ongoing. The site notes ongoing engagement with a US Army Huey Crew Chief who visits biannually to assist with airworthiness monitoring, reinforcing a sense of continuous care and professional stewardship for the aircraft. Such information contributes to the perception of reliability and long-term commitment to safety and airworthiness.

Customer feedback on public platforms highlights a mix of experiences, with many reviews praising the thrill, the professional pilots, and cinematic views of Cape Town’s coast. Multiple reviewers mention effective communication from booking onwards, friendly ground crews, and pilots who provide guidance and safety assurance during the flight. A minority of reviews report cancellations or refunds related to weather or scheduling, reflecting typical aviation contingency realities. The emphasis across feedback remains on the memorable nature of the ride, the helicopter’s impressive presence, and the skill of the flight crew in delivering a high-energy, safe experience.

Practical tips for potential visitors include planning with some flexibility for weather-related changes, allowing for possible rescheduling, and considering the huey’s unique doors-off or doors-off-capable configuration when deciding on camera position and comfort preferences. Ground transfers between offices in the V&A Waterfront area and the heliport are often noted in accompanying reviews, with some guests appreciating the ease of access and the pre-flight briefing provided by staff.

In terms of scope, Fly The Huey serves Cape Town and its surrounding coastal and scenic highlights, offering experiences that blend aviation heritage with the city’s renowned landscape. The company operates from a Cape Town base with a visible presence in the harbour area, aligning with the city’s attractions and the surrounding Western Cape scenery, including iconic beaches and the Cape Point reserve. While the website does not specify fixed business hours, the best times to visit are typically guided by daylight availability and weather, common to aerial tours in coastal environments. Customers may expect a streamlined process from booking through to the actual flight, with a focus on safety, heritage, and an unforgettable airborne perspective of one of the world’s most picturesque coastlines.

• Main services offered: Huey open-door helicopter flights, private Huey charters for groups up to nine passengers, and a selection of scenic routes around Cape Town’s coast and horizon.
• Typical flight types: City Centre, Camps Bay & Hout Bay, Two Oceans Half Peninsula, Cape Point Full Peninsula, and Combat options (per seat or per flight).
• How requests usually work: flights arranged as private charters (except Combat per-seat), with pre-flight briefings and a focus on safety and airworthiness; bookings managed through the Cape Town offices and harbour clients.
• Practical tips: expect weather-related changes; check whether doors are on or off as part of the experience; plan for potential transfers between offices; be prepared for an adrenaline-filled, landmark-focused aerial tour.
• Hours and location: Cape Town-based, with offices at the V&A Waterfront; best to coordinate timing around daylight and weather; services cover the Cape Town metropolitan area and adjacent coastal sights.