Los Angeles Operations

In 2007, Metro Helicopters established a fixed base (FBO) at the world famous Van Nuys Airport (KVNY), located in Van Nuys, California, north of Los Angeles.

Simulated flight operations in the greater Los Angeles area include:

• Air taxi service between Los Angeles city heliports, and Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX)
• Charter service between Los Angeles city heliports and outlying regional airports and heliports, including S-76 luxury VIP service to Catalina Island.
• Site-seeing flights in the Los Angeles area, including Hollywood and Long Beach harbor.

KVNY is also home to the West Coast Division of MetroLife, whose pilots provide medevac services to the LA area. See the MetroLife page on this web site for additional information.

Custom scenery devloped by Brandon Bayer, Metro 4, is available in support of Metro operations at KVNY. An extensive Los Angeles scenery package developed by Martin Lopez is also available. This package includes municipal, hospital and commerical helipads throughout the LA area, as well as simulated accident site scenery, and other special scenery areas supporting Metro flight operations.

Aircraft operating from KVNY bear distinctive Metro liveries, including the new and unique "Hollywood filmstrip" livery for the Eurocopter EC-120B (developed by Brian Smith), which is used on VIP transport and site seeing flights.

Flying in the Los Angles metropolitan area is fast paced and exciting. Special considerations when operating in the Los Angeles area include: complex airspace including required use of numerous designated VFR helicopter routes, Class B, C and D airports, heavy airspace use by other virtual airlines flying into LAX, mountainous terrain to the north of Los Angeles, and unusual weather conditions including low visibility created by temperature inversions, smog, and sea fog. The size of the Los Angeles urban area is much larger than New York City, and there are more helicopter routes. Most routes follow major highways (as opposed to rivers and coastlines, in New York City).