Ruedi Hafen, Owner, Ops. Man, C.P. In the more than thirty years since Niagara Helicopters started business in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, the corporation has undergone a change of location and several changes of name as well as ownership, but one thing has remained co nstant: since 1961, visitors from all over the world have been flying over the world's most famous falls. Originally located near the Skylon Tower, Niagara Helicopters moved to its present 6.24 acre site in 1964 and resumed its flying mix of sightseeing, pilot training and charter flights. In the '60s, the firm trained a large proportion of a ll Canadian helicopter pilots, some of the time under the name Niagara Heli-Air. In 1980, Pan-Air Helicopters bought the company and transferred all training to their Ottawa branch. In 1981 a young Swiss pilot named Ruedi Hafen began to fly for Pan-Air's Niagara operation. This was the beginning of a new era for the helicopter sightseeing industry in Niagara Falls. In early 1985 the Niagara Falls portion of Pan-Air was purchased by Niagara Helicopters Limited, whose major shareholder was Mr. Ruedi Hafen. Working for Pan-Air had convinced Mr. Hafen that the heliport had not reached its true potential - yet. Anyone who grew up in Niagara Falls can tell stories about the heliport property in the old days. The present Niagara Helicopters has made quite a few changes in the ten summers of operation from this site. The company has invested in pav ing and landscaping the parking lot, turning an eyesore into an attractive park-like area, and in installing paved helipads and a sophisticated heliport lighting system, and replacing underground fuel tanks. In the summer of 1994, one of the last vestiges of the old disappeared when the hand-painted HELICOPTER RIDES sign was taken down and replaced by a state-of-the-art computerized picture sign, designed by Ruedi Hafen. The following year, the hangar buildings were almost completely refurbished and moder nized. AND THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING!

Niagara Helicopters Limited 3731 Victoria Ave. P.O. Box 636 Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada L2E 6V5 Ph. 905-357-5672 Fx. 905-374-2856 Contact Us By Email