Precision Helicopters — Travel Agency in Coffs Harbour

Reviews of Precision Helicopters

• Alexis

  Added 2016.03.12

  The conversation in relation to the South Solitary Island Tours WAS completed because the staff member continually made assumptions and failed to ask any questions as to the capabilities of the person with disability. Cheryl left a comment on your Facebook page which was removed by your business. Cheryl then left a review on your Facebook page and in response you deleted all of your reviews, even the positive ones. Cheryl was instructed by your staff member that all passengers must have the capability to 'fend for themselves'. Your staff member was not interested in explaining the requirements in relation to the carriage of passengers, therefore Cheryl took it upon herself to find out what they are. You have had ample opportunity to contact Cheryl via Facebook, even requesting to join a Disability Discrimination Forum in order to make the same blanket statement regarding rules and regulations. You have been asked directly to provide an explanation of the term 'fend for themselves' which you have not done. At no point have you actually asked for Cheryl's contact information. Your promotional video on your website features a child who has obviously enjoyed a flight and you also advertise that young babies may be carried in the lap of a parent during flight. I would very much like to know how a baby would be capable of 'fending for themselves' should the helicopter fail, but an adult with no mobility issues but is a person with disability is automatically deemed to not be capable of fending for themselves. You have been advised by people within the disability community that your actions are illegal and have even been provided with links to the legislation confirming your actions are discriminatory, and yet you continue to persist with this ignorant archaic stance that people with disabilities are not members of the community you wish your business to associate with. You should be ashamed of yourself.
• Jonathan

  Added 2015.06.24

  Update 30 April in response to Precision Helicopters misleading reply. The conversation did not end abruptly. The staff member I was speaking with did not at any time refer to Terms and Conditions, which I have read in any case on the company's website. The staff member reacted to my mention of my son having disabilities and having the need for a support worker with him by strongly discouraging my going any further with the enquiry. She made no attempt to ask any questions to ascertain whether he could comply with the Terms and Conditions. When she seemed to have no more to say I said I would tell my son the trip was not possible as the company does not have Companion Card and at a cost of $350.00 per person he would not be able to pay for his support worker's ticket as well as his own. and the conversation ended civilly. If the company was serious they would not have removed my query posted on their Facebook page, but would have addressed it. They would not have removed the Review component on their Facebook page when I subsequently posted a negative review, but would have attempted to get in touch with me and find out more. They have done none of these. Their statement on Trip Adviser states they are inclusive of people with disabilities, yet for some reason they don't offer Companion Card which would encourage more people with disabilities to become customers. My experience is that they are not inclusive of people with certain types of disabilities. I do not appreciate the misleading responses they have made to my Google and Trip Adviser reviews. How more professional it would have been to offer a simple apology.
• Timothy

  Added 2015.06.21

  I phoned Precision Helicopters Coffs Harbour with an enquiry about my adult son, who is a person with disabilities, possibly being able to go on a flight to Solitary Islands as they were advertising, along with his support worker. When I mentioned my son has a disability I was told he would not be able to go because he couldn't get in the helicopter. This was an assumption as I had not said his disability was mobility related. He is able to get into a helicopter as well as anyone else. When I explained this I was then told he would not be able to go because they could only take people who 'can fend for themselves if there's a mishap, and need to be able to do things like closing a door etc." Again, my son can close a door as well as anyone else. I was not asked anything about my son's age (31), weight, or fitness levels. I was simply told he couldn't go, presumably because I mentioned that he has a disability. I have contacted the company and asked what is their definition of "fending for oneself" especially as their promotional video features a child who has taken a flight. Their terms and conditions also mention that young babies can be held in the lap on the flight, so I am wondering how the 'fend for yourself' rule applies in that instance. It would appear from my experience that Precision Helicopters simply does not want to deal with anyone with a disability, regardless of age, fitness or suitability for the flight. That is discrimination in my understanding, and also possibly illegal in Australia.
• Thomas

  Added 2014.03.22

  What a great way to impress that special someone or reward a friend or colleague for a job well done.
• Bryan

  Added 2013.09.30

  Helpfull and enthusiastic staff and pilots who are only too happy to give you the best experience.
• Tyler

  Added 2013.07.30

  Evocative and sensory sightseeing service including quality faciltation to remote locations such as the isolated South Solitary Island Lighthouse.