I remember the commuter helicopters very well, my mom would drop dad off to catch it when he was going on a business trip to get to the airport, for a while they offered short sightseeing trips around the area for $5.00 a head. One Saturday dad took the whole family down to the heliport & bought us a sightseeing trip, I was amazed to see how many people in Belvedere had swimming pools, it flew out by the Golden Gate also, which was pretty cool.
I remember the helicopter..we would take my dad down there..I was little, my mom and brother would hold my hands so I wouldn't blow away watching the copter take off.
I remember taking the SFO chopper to the airport and back a couple of times when I was 8 or 9 years old. Very cool. Also very innovative, given the era. As a little kid, they kind of freaked me out, too. They would rattle and shake something awful. I think there were two in the fleet, big 12 or 16 passenger Sikorskys.
Anyone remember the Heliport building being used as rehersal space for Marin's plethora of rock 'n roll bands?
I loved that thing! It was always sooooo exciting when we drove by there to see if it was taking off or landing. If it was, my bro and I would press our noses against the rear window of our old black '64 Bug and stare out it until way past the Richardson bridge.
Sometimes my Dad would take it and we were able to stand at the little fence and watch it close up. Quite a thrill for a 5 to 8 year old.
Here's an idea that needs to come back. Remember the huge commuter helicopter painted like a bumble bee with yellow and black stripes that used to take commuters to SFO from the Heliport in Sausalito? Can anyone dig up photos of that helicopter?
