Requirements
The charter industry is heavily regulated; we think that's good. We strive to comply with the spirit as well as the letter of the Federal Aviation Regulations because we believe that makes our operation safer, more reliable, and ultimately better for our clients.
Consequently, even though we work hard to make our customers comfortable and to make our process easy, we are very methodical about how we plan and execute your flight with us.
Information we collect. During our flight planning, we will ask for information required by the FAA, as well as the information we need to plan your flight. Information required by the FAA/TSA includes the name, date-of-birth, nationality, and weight of each passenger and his/her baggage (which we collect on the Passenger Manifest as detailed below). We also collect address, telephone, and credit card information required to bill you for your flight and to contact you.
It is important that you are accurate when you report your weight and baggage weight so that we can load the aircraft properly. If you're not sure, you can always step on the scales in our office, or your pilot can hand-weigh your baggage at the aircraft. Weight requirements for the Clipper: No passenger heavier than 300 pounds in any seat. Our maximum payload for an hour's flight in the Clipper R44 is 520 pounds, including all passengers and baggage. Weight limitations in the Bell LongRanger are usually only an issue with excess baggage.
Wondering about an off-airport destination? Read our safety process.
Flight Restrictions
We are a US Air Carrier certificated by the FAA. All charter flights are conducted under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. In accordance with regulations, Golden Gate Helicopters prohibits the transport of hazardous materials, firearms, and explosives on our aircraft.
No smoking is allowed in or around the aircraft.
We cannot transport medical oxygen or passengers who are dependent on medical oxygen.
Account Privileges
GGH accepts cash, check, and credit cards for all services provided, including your flight and any other reservations or bookings we make on your behalf. If you are flying before or after office hours, you may pay with check in advance or leave a credit card on file. For first-time clients, we require a credit card (see Payment information below) to reserve your flight time. If you are an established client, we are happy to bill you monthly.
Cancellations
Golden Gate Helicopters has a 24-hour cancellation policy, except in cases of emergency or weather, and we will charge a 1-hour minimum fee for no-shows and same-day cancellations, as well as any non-refundable deposits made on your behalf. Golden Gate Helicopters reserves the right to cancel any flight when weather conditions are below our company or FAA minimums.
Service contract
We gather all of the information about your flight into a standard service contract. It includes 4 parts:
- Terms and conditions. When you sign the payment information page, you are accepting the terms and conditions explained in this 2-page term and conditions document.
- Passenger manifest. Information that we collect includes name, weight, age, nationality and a form of identification, as well as the amount and weight of your baggage. The passenger manifest must be accurate and complete, on file in our office, at the time of departure, as per Federal Aviation Regulations. You may be asked to show identification when you arrive for your flight if your are a new client.
- Trip request. This is a detailed itinerary that includes other services, like estimated wait time, ground transportation and restaurant reservations, that we may have arranged for you. After we've worked with you to plan your trip, we will fax you these details and have you sign off on the arrangements in advance.
- Payment information. We collect payment after your trip is completed, as agreed to in the contract. If you are paying with a credit card that does not have a US billing address, we may ask for a deposit in advance to guarantee your reservation. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, check, or cash. This page must be completed and signed to confirm your flight.
It is important to return your paperwork promptly, as we do not confirm your flight on our schedule until you do so.
After we receive your signed trip request, payment information, and passenger manifest, your trip is confirmed on our schedule. Changes can be made to a confirmed trip if one of our flight planners approves the changes before your departure and a revised contract is released.