Prescott visitors and locals now have a chance to enjoy the beautiful views from a new perspective, thanks to Guidance Air.
Guidance is offering 15-minute helicopter tours over Prescott-area landmarks such as the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza and the Granite Dells; as well as two-hour flights from Prescott to Sedona’s Red Rocks that include a meal or a short hike to the Airport Mesa vortex and overlook.
“We’re excited to be expanding to Prescott,” said Guidance Air Administrative Director Cathy Stonecipher, noting Guidance was getting requests for such tours. Cathy’s husband John started Guidance Aviation helicopter training at the Prescott airport in 1998, so this is their hometown and they enjoy showing it off.
“It gives tourists the opportunity to see Prescott from above, and get a view of all the beautiful things we have to offer,” she said.
Prescott tour participants are sure to get a thrill, judging by the accolades that Guidance Air has earned in Sedona since flights began there in 2016. Just last year, Guidance Air was named Best Helicopter Tour in the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. And happy customer reviews have boosted Guidance Air tours in the Sedona Red Rocks to the number-one rank amongst 145 outdoor activities in the Sedona area.
“The aircraft had amazing line of sight and the path we took was so cool,” customer Scott Reese recently wrote on TripAdvisor. “Canyon flyovers, ancient dwelling views, and both the staff and pilot were so talented, efficient and cool!”
Guidance Air’s Prescott expansion includes “Welcome Home” tours through local Realtors for prospective homebuyers. “People get to see the geographic options of where to buy a home,” Cathy explained.
Guidance Air also has teamed up with the Hassayampa Inn in Prescott for package deals that include lodging and 15-minute helicopter tours.
Guidance Aviation grads get the rare opportunity for jobs with the Stoneciphers as Guidance Aviation flight instructors, Guidance Air tour guides and Helius powerline construction pilots, all with progressively more flight experience under their belts. Cathy is CEO of the new Helius company.
The Stoneciphers also believe in boosting their community’s quality of life, earning them the Prescott Chamber of Commerce’s Most Philanthropic Business Award in 2014. They are involved with Agape House, Prescott Area Young Professionals, the Yavapai County Search and Rescue Team, and the Prescott Valley Economic Development Foundation, while also giving away free charity flights and even a helicopter to Search and Rescue.
“It’s important to support our community,” Cathy said. “We love Prescott. This is a way to give back and say thank you to everybody for doing what they do for us.”