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About Us
History
Founded in 1988 by Dennis Leaver, DEL Helicopters offers aerial flight experiences in the New York City metropolitan area as well as in upstate New York and North Jersey. We operate a small, three seated helicopter that offers the most immersive aerial views of any fixed or rotary wing aircraft in the sky.
Some of our many different jobs include: rides at summer camps, festivals, and fairs; aerial photography; sightseeing tours over New York City; New Jersey helicopter tours, picking up skydivers for jumps; airshow acts; Santa drops; gender reveal; and anything your heart desires!
Dennis Leaver's decades of experience flying the area, aerial photography, and practicing helicopter safety benefit not just him, but also his grandson and commercial pilot, Jordan Schmidt. As a CFI, Jordan offers helicopter flight instruction out of Essex County Airport for those interested in becoming helo-pilots!
We've been continuously operating for over 30 years. We have the best '300' mechanics around and our pilots are extensively trained in advanced aerobatics and prepared for any emergency. We have operated in the busiest and windiest conditions without a sweat.
People
Dennis Leaver
Founder & President
Commercial Pilot
Daniel Leaver
Ground Crew
Erika Schmidt
Ground Crew
Jordan Schmidt
Commercial Pilot
Flight Instructor
Joan Vaccaro
Ground Crew
Helicopter
The Schweizer 300 series (formerly Sikorsky S300, Hughes 300) family of light utility helicopters was originally produced by Hughes Helicopters, as a development of the Hughes 269. Later manufactured by Schweizer Aircraft in 1984, the same basic design has been in production since 1961. The Hughes 269 was created with a fully articulated three-bladed main rotor wherein the blades turn counterclockwise and a two-bladed tail rotor that would remain as distinctive characteristics of all its variants. It also has shock absorber-damped, skid-type landing gear. The flight controls are directly linked to the control surfaces of the helicopter so there are no hydraulics in the 269. The "C" model, introduced in 1970, featured a more powerful engine and a larger rotor diameter for a 45% performance increase. The Hughes 269C makes 190 HP from a fuel injected 360 cubic inch (6.0L) horizontally opposed 4 cylinder Lycoming HIO-360-D1A piston engine. It weighs 1100 lbs empty / 2050 lbs full and holds 30 gallons of 100LL AVGAS fuel and 6-8 quarts of W100+ oil.
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