Maverick Aviation Group

Like most parts of the country, this has been an exceptionally wet year for the Las Vegas area and has affected more weddings this year than in the past five years combined for Maverick Helicopters.  We were able to make other accommodations for four such weddings by finding another venue or getting the wedding party out at a later time or the following day. 

Weather so seldom affects our weddings and even if the weather might we questionable in Las Vegas the Grand Canyon can be bright and sunny.  So, I tell my brides and grooms to let us worry about the weather and if the weather affects the flight we will do everything we possibly can to accommodate and facilitate a wedding that works for them.

I watched the Bachelor wedding of Jason and Molly last week on ABC and as I'm watching the downpour during the ceremony I started wondering what the significance of rain at your wedding would be.  I found this article I think you might find fun and interesting.

There is an old saying that rain on your wedding day is a lucky omen. The Italians even have a saying for it, "Sposa bagnata, sops fortunata", which means that a wet bride is a lucky bride. In the U.S., it is commonly repeated that rain is lucky, although most brides would prefer a dry day and a little less luck!

Rain is also considered to be a good wedding omen in Germany, Sweden, and France. This is possibly because rain is associated with a bountiful harvest, and thus, fertility. Some believe that the rainier the wedding day, the more children the marriage will produce. (So if you get married during a downpour, I guess that you can expects to have triplets!)

However, not everyone considers rain to be a lucky charm; consider the old adage, "Happy is the bride whom the sun shines on". There are several superstitions that are said to ward off rain on the wedding day. One is to feed your cat on the morning of the wedding (this is a strange one - shouldn't you feed your cat every morning?). Catholics can hang a rosary outdoors on the day of their nuptials to put a stop to rain in time for the ceremony. In parts of Spain, to avoid rain the bride or her mother can deliver a dozen freshly laid eggs to the nuns of the convent of St. Clare.

Whether you consider rain to be a lucky sign or not, there is always a chance that it will fall on your wedding day. To make wet weather less of an issue, plan in advance for inclement weather. If you are planning an outdoor wedding, check the Farmer's Almanac for the driest times of year in your hometown. Also be prepared with shelter for guests and the couple, or a backup location if the weather forces you to move the ceremony inside. For weddings in tents, order a floor to avoid having your reception in a mud pit.

For an indoor wedding, the rain more of an annoyance than a real problem. If there is rain in the forecast for your big day, arm yourself with plenty of golf umbrellas. The bride also may want to get dressed at the church if the weather is really nasty. The way to handle that is to be completely ready, other than the gown. The bride should have on her special wedding jewelry, her fancy undergarments, and everything but her gown and shoes. Put double plastic covers over the gown to keep it dry, then slip into it once arriving at the church. If changing into your gown at the ceremony site is impractical, at least wait to put on your bridal shoes until arriving on dry land. You don't want to squish your way down the aisle in soggy footwear!

If is does end up raining on your wedding day, the best thing to do is grin and bear it. I once attended a wedding ceremony held in a park on a very wet day. It was treacherous going down a steep hill of wet grass in high heels, but the couple had posted ushers with large umbrellas to escort the ladies to the ceremony site (which fortunately did have a tent over it), and some of the male guests also pitched in to help. It rained and rained, to the point where you could barely hear the musicians playing while the guests were being seated (and we were all wondering how we would hear the vows). Then the most amazing thing happened: just as the ceremony began, the rain suddenly stopped and the sky cleared. The bride and groom exchanged their vows under a beautiful beam of sunshine, which seemed like a lucky omen, indeed. Even though her train was soaked, and her hair was frizzy, the bride was radiant with an inner bliss (and at least her wedding jewelry was dry and fabulous!).

So if the weatherman predicts inclement weather for your wedding day, just remember the French saying, "Mariage pluvieux, mariage heureux", which promises a happy marriage as a result of a wet wedding. And if you don't buy into the idea that rain is lucky, there is always the old standby: Rain, rain, go away - come again another day!

Article source:  EzineArticles.com by Laura Firenze

You may not be able to walk on air, but at Grand Canyon West you can walk on glass—while being suspended 4,000 feet in the air! A U-shaped walkway has been constructed at Eagle Point in Arizona. It juts out 70 feet from the canyon’s West Rim, allowing you to go for a stroll with nothing between your feet and the Colorado River except four inches of glass.

Grand Canyon West is owned by the Hualapai Indians, a tribe consisting of more than 1,500 members who have lived on the west side of the canyon for untold generations. They possess nearly one million acres of land there. The Skywalk is a joint venture between the Hualapai Indians and David Jin of Las Vegas. Jin is an entrepreneur and a tour operator specializing in trips to the area. He’d conceived the idea of a glass bridge more than 10 years ago. Once he got the tribe’s support, Jin enlisted Las Vegas-based architect Mark Johnson to design it.

The $30 million Skywalk is an engineering wonder. It has been created to bear at least 71 million pounds, withstand powerful winds of over 100 miles per hour (from eight different directions!) and endure an 8.0-magnitude earthquake within a 50-mile radius. More than one million pounds of steel were used to build it.

Construction on the Skywalk began in March of 2004. In May of 2005, the final test was conducted and the structure passed engineering requirements by 400 percent. History was then made on March 20, 2007, when the official dedication ceremony took place with former astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin taking the first steps on it, joined by Native American astronaut John Herrington. Since the opening of the Skywalk, Grand Canyon West has welcomed more than 200,000 visitors to the area.

It definitely takes some courage to go on the Skywalk because looking through the glass floor can be intense. After climbing a stairway of about 20 steps, you put a pair of non-scratch booties on over your shoes. You’ll find the glass floor is about five feet wide, and there are six-foot-tall glass walls with handrails all along the Skywalk. Even though your brain knows better, you can’t help but feel nervous as you wander out over the huge gorge. It’s also hard to forget that the only thing between you and a nearly half-mile fall is a few inches of glass! However, the views of the Grand Canyon are spectacular from here and well worth the visit. There’s no better way to experience its beauty.

A maximum of 120 people are allowed on the Skywalk at any given time. You won’t be able to carry anything with you. Visitors are asked to store all their personal belongings in lockers—because if something were dropped, the sensitive plexiglass could be scratched. There is a professional photographer on the Skywalk who will snap your picture, which will be available later for purchase.

Right now, you enter and exit the Skywalk via temporary buildings while the adjacent tri-level visitors’ center is being constructed. Upon completion, it will be 6,000 square feet and contain a museum, movie theater, VIP lounge, gift shop, several restaurants and a bar.

Maverick Helicopter is one of the tour operators that goes to Grand Canyon West from Las Vegas. Their Indian Territory tour features a stop at the Skywalk.  Or you can select a tour from Maverick Airline the Grand Canyon Western Territory.


Written by Travel Gal, Renee Libutti

The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. With its incredible scenery and inspirational beauty, the flow of visitors of all ages keeps growing. Now with a number of ways of see the canyon, some may choose to drive, hike, bike or ride a mule. One adventure that awaits is the sky—a Maverick Helicopters’ tour from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim.
Maverick Grand Canyon south rim location provides tourist visiting the amazing wonder of the world a chance to see the canyon from a different perspective. The south rim has 2 tours the Canyon Spirit and Canyon Dancer that will allow the Grand Canyon visitor to experience the depth and vastness of the ever changing color of the canyon.

Each tour highlights a specially designed route to highlight the canyon and gorges that live you breathless of the natural beauty. On the tours you will see rock formations, the deepest part of the canyon and the widest part of the Colorado river.

These tours by Maverick Helicopters located at the South Rim certainly are a photographer's dream come true.
 

Nevada State Parks have survived the budget cuts. 

While the budget is still being fine tuned, I have been informed that the "parks will remain open but will need to become totally self-proficient" which means eventually raising the entry fees, permits and licenses.

For more information on the budget and park services here is a link you might find interesting.


I was very concerned about the Valley of Fire being one of the most popular wedding destinations out of Las Vegas, only second to the Grand Canyon.  Maverick Helicopters offers an incredible landing sight atop a plateau overlooking the incredible view of the valley.

For more information regarding our wedding packages
please visit our site and contact me personally with any questions you might have.

Your Best Canyon Companion

 “Is this your first helicopter ride?,” asked Chris Spircu, a pilot with Maverick Helicopters in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Yes,” I replied. “Mine too,” he deadpanned, offering up the first of many jokes to keep customers happy and relaxed. I was joining six other people for a three-hour helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and other landmarks, culminating in an exciting fly-by of the kaleidoscope of lights on the Las Vegas strip at twilight.

I remembered how Gilligan’s three-hour tour turned out, but I was confident that this trip would be different, especially since Chris didn’t look like a first-timer in a helicopter.

After receiving a quick safety briefing (including learning about the “reusable” air sick bags) and getting strapped in, I wondered what the ride would be like.

Would it be loud? Rough? Exciting? Would I be scared looking down through a window that doubles as a door?

The answer came quickly as Chris executed a smooth takeoff from McCarran Airport and we began listening to an awesome soundtrack of music on our headphones. The panoramic view of Las Vegas and the surrounding desert as we left town was spectacular and my fear of heights never kicked in.

Traveling at approximately 110 knots, we flew past Lake Las Vegas, active gold mines, hardened lava flows, and other interesting sights. One landmark was the Valley of Fire State Park, a popular venue to film movies because of the amazing 600-million-year-old rock formations. Another hotspot was the “wedding rock,” a giant boulder surrounded by fantastic scenery that is the site of many weddings.

The theme from the movie “2001” filled our ears as we entered the Grand Canyon about 45 minutes into our trip. Chris announced that if you drove from Las Vegas to that same point it would take 3-5 hours on a circuitous route. I was glad we were flying!

After a breathtaking flight just above the Colorado River at the base of the canyon, surrounded by mighty rock walls, we landed in a small clearing high above the river with several other Maverick helicopters and their passengers. Canyon walls still towered above us, and the evening sun provided exquisite lighting.

Chris set up snacks and champagne on a nearby picnic table and we relaxed and learned some interesting facts about the canyon. It is 277 “river miles” long and up to 6,000 feet deep.

Much of the Grand Canyon is owned by the Hualupai Indians, who lived there long before American settlers found it. They even owned the landing spot where we sat. The tribe has earned millions of dollars from helicopter landing fees, one of its biggest sources of income.

Chris pointed out many caves along the rock walls of the canyon where many Indians used to live. Some contain human remains more than 3,000 years old. Today only about 2,000 tribe members remain; they live in Peach Spring, a town about 60 miles south of the Grand Canyon.

As we prepared to leave, Chris announced we were low on fuel and challenged the passengers to help find a gas station. We weren’t much help, but our helicopter joined the others at a giant gas tank in the middle of the desert where each was fueled to capacity – about 173 gallons of jet fuel each.

We then saw a spectacular sunset as we flew back to Las Vegas, including flying over Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.

The lights of Las Vegas soon loomed ahead, and we ended our trip with a close-up fly-by of the Las Vegas strip – a colorful sight indeed! The lively crooning of Elvis Presley singing “Viva Las Vegas” filled our ears.

Three hours after we started, we landed back at McCarran airport, where everyone had an opportunity to buy a video of the entire trip, recorded on a camera mounted at the front of the helicopter.

This tour was an amazing trip that far exceeded anything a Las Vegas show could ever offer.

Written by; Al Rickert

What a weekend for Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR fans and Maverick Helicopters!

At Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series Shelby American race, Johnson cruised to victory yet again. It was his fourth win in the past six years at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Nearly 140,000 NASCAR fans enjoyed the roaring engines and wheel-screeching action, as the cars stayed close throughout the race. In fact, Johnson passed Jeff Gordon and took the lead with only 17 laps remaining.

At Maverick Helicopters, we were pleased to be part of all the excitement. Our company has been providing race-day transportation to and from the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for many years. From our terminal on Las Vegas Boulevard, we shuttle NASCAR fans in our luxurious ECO-Star helicopters. It’s the quickest and most comfortable way to travel—plus, all of our passengers receive free commemorative caps designed especially for the big 2010 NASCAR Weekend.

Early on Sunday morning NASCAR fans filled our lobby. They were outfitted in apparel supporting their favorite drivers. Similarly, our staff donned race-themed shirts to welcome them. You could feel the anticipation as fans waited to board the helicopters for the short, scenic flight out to the track. Even Mother Nature, who had been threatening rain, was accommodating to them and provided perfect weather.

In addition to NASCAR fans, this year Maverick Helicopters had the pleasure of transporting many celebrities to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. They included Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin, comedian Carrot Top, ventriloquist Terry Fator and socialite Kim Kardashian, who was in town unveiling her new fragrance. Our pilots proudly delivered several NASCAR drivers—Jimmie Johnson, Danica Patrick, Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick—there as well.

All and all, the 2010 NASCAR Weekend was a great success for fans, drivers, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Maverick Helicopters. We look forward to being part of the adrenaline-pumping action again in 2011!



Photos by:Tom Donoghue

Have you ever imagined that Elvis would show up for your wedding.  Well, here at Maverick anything is possible.

A bride just had to have Elvis serenade them at their wedding at the Valley of Fire.  What a fun and memorable wedding this was for me personally as well as for the pilot, minister and photographer.  The bride wrote her own vows based on a "....Native American Wedding Ceremony to honor this magnificent place. It is one that takes place outdoors, with Father Sky as the roof of this most sacred cathedral, and Mother Earth at your feet to hold you, and the trees and plants to surround you and embrace you..."

They chose the Sunset Brilliance package which includes a helicopter flight over the West Rim of the Grand Canyon and landing at the Valley of Fire for the ceremony. 

Every wedding has its own personal flavor and the bride spent a lot of time getting every detail just right.  She even arranged for their pilot to catch the bouquet since he is considering taking the next step with his girlfriend.

My thanks to Brendan Paul, www.bestelvis.com and Amanda Miles at www.amandasphotography.com for their excellent contributions.

For information on all our helicopter wedding packages to the Grand Canyon, Valley of Fire or the Las Vegas Strip please visit Maverick Helicopters.

The Valley of Fire is an incredibly beautiful state park as you can tell by these photos.  We have received important information about the status and future of the park and urge you to read our blog regarding this information.

Recently, I received this information from the Valley of Fire State Park that I want to share with you. Not only is the park one of the most beautiful wedding locations but is such a unique area for nature lovers and is in danger of being closed to its thousands of visitors each year.

Received from Vally of Fire 2/17/2010
" I would like to keep everyone informed on the status of Valley of Fire State Park. As of this time there are news reports that Valley of Fire State Park will be closing.

There is Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas who states that heis considering shutting down all state parks to save money. This story can be foundat  www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/feb/17/closing-parks-more-harm-good that isa story about the closing parks. We are providing all the information that we have atthis time. Our Division office has been working hard supplying the numbers and opinionsof closing all state parks.

 We at Valley of Fire would like to provide a way of expressing your opinion of either for or against closing Valley of Fire State Park. There is a link to the legislative websiteand it is www.leg.state.nv.us and you would be able to find your representative and also to leave a comment.

As we receive more news I will keep you updated, I will only update on the news that we receive from our Division office and not on the news news! Thank you for your support and we plan to keeping our business relationships."

Visit Nevada State parks at http://parks.nv.gov

NASCAR in Las Vegas is only a few days away.  I get into Vegas tomorrow and am pumped for the weekend.

I already booked my helicopter transfer with Maverick Helicopters for Sunday to get me to and from the track.

I flew with them the last two years and it is a great way to get to and from the speedway.

They pick you up at your hotel, get you to their facility and in awesome fashion, you are there at the track in no time at all.

Maverick makes you feel like a rock star flying in their incredible helicopters.

Enjoy the race!  Get your helicopter flight booked before they fill up.

Go Tony Stewart!!

No matter what your preference might be the Grand Canyon is always there for you.  I cannot think of another venue that compares with the great outdoors when it comes to inspiring wedding-day awe and adventure.  Fly the Maverick skies on your personally designed and customized Grand Canyon Helicopter tour. 

Whether you choose our Grand Canyon wedding package, Grand Canyon Sunset , Sunset Brilliance, Valley of Fire, Twilight Dream Standard or Extended or our Las Vegas Neon Lights wedding package your helicopter tour and wedding festivities will be an everlasting memory for you and your wedding party.

Let Maverick Helicopters plan your wedding event that most people only dream of.  Imagine departing for your private helicopter tour on your charter for the most fantastic Grand Canyon wedding that eliminates all the stress and worry of planning one of the most important days in your lives.  Think majestic rock formations that seem to reach the sky when you are 3,500 below the rim of the Grand Canyon where your private wedding ceremony will take place.  Not to mention the brilliant colors when the sun is setting during your return flight to Las Vegas to find the entertainment capitol of world lit up with  hundreds of thousands of neon lights to guide you back to the reality of the life you will share with the one you love.

Or, perhaps, you prefer to be on top of the world overlooking the most extraordinary and colorful valley of red rock formations that nature has to offer at the Valley of Fire, as the name suggests.  Our private helicopter tours to the wedding site of the Valley of Fire will also give you the adventure of a helicopter tour over the West Rim of the Grand Canyon if you choose our top of the line package Sunset Brilliance. 

Whatever time of year you want to plan your wedding event Maverick Helicopters will get you there rather it be to the Grand Canyon, Valley of Fire or one of several packages you can choose over the lights of the Las Vegas strip.

The best weather months for Las Vegas and the surrounding areas are May and October. The summer months you will plan for the hotter weather with cooler attire and for the winter you would want to bring along a jacket.  Whatever month you choose, you will not need to compete with Mother Nature because  the Grand Canyon and Valley of Fire never disappoints. 

All of Maverick Helicopter's Grand Canyon tours and wedding packages includes a flight over Lake Las Vegas, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.  Your adventure sightseeing tour will also in flying over Fortification Hill, an extinct volcano, the Bowl of Fire along with many other breathtaking views.

All of Maverick Helicopter's tour and wedding packages will be an adventure you will not soon forget and the VIP service is not to be matched.

For further information please contact:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Bryan Kroten, (702) 948-1407 or bkroten@maverickaviationgroup.com
February 1, 2010
GRAND CANYON, ARIZONA – The severe snow storms of the past weeks have hit Northern Arizona so hard that travel within the rural areas of the Cameron Chapter of the Navajo Nation have been near impossible.  Because of these incredible circumstances, Maverick Helicopters has delivered much-needed food and supplies to residents not able to maneuver through the snow-packed roads.

The company, which operates flights at Grand Canyon South Rim, flew food, supplies and fire wood to homes around Cameron, Arizona during the week of January 25th.  Managers say approximately 100 people benefited from these important flights.  When the snow pack turns to mud and roads become impossible to maneuver once again, the company expects to help with additional drops as necessary.     

“When we were called on, we knew we had to help,” said Brian Brusa, Maverick Helicopters manager.  “This is our community too.  We will continue to help the residents of Cameron, Arizona as long as they need us.”

Maverick Aviation Group, with locations in Nevada and Arizona, is the parent company of Maverick Helicopters, Mustang Helicopters and Maverick Airlines.  This tourism-based company has the largest fleet of ECO-Star helicopters in the world.  The Las Vegas, Nevada location offers helicopter tours of the Las Vegas Strip and to Grand Canyon West.  The Grand Canyon, Arizona location offers tours over the South Rim of the canyon.  The company also operates Beechcraft 1900D fixed-winged aircraft that provide direct flights to both Grand Canyon South Rim and Grand Canyon West from the Henderson Executive Airport. Custom and private aircraft charters are also available.   

If you’re from the U.K. and planning a trip to Las Vegas, then you probably have a lot of questions. For example, how old must you be to gamble in the casinos? Is there a charge to use public toilets? Where is the nearest British consulate? So here we’ve compiled some general information and useful tips about visiting Las Vegas.

Age Restrictions
You must be at least 21 years old to drink or gamble in Las Vegas. It’s a good idea to carry your passport or another photo ID with you at all times because security staff may ask to see proof of your age—especially if you look young. If you visit Las Vegas with children, be aware that casinos only allow them to pass through gambling areas when accompanied by an adult. With respect to other age restrictions, you must be at least 18 years old to buy cigarettes and to marry without parental consent.

Business Services
If you are in Las Vegas on business and find you need to make copies of a report, print materials for a convention or fax a contract, there are several places that provide document handling. Most hotels feature on-site business centres. FedEx Office is also a great place for printing and other business services. The FedEx Office at 3150 Paradise Road (001-702-943-6780) is located closest to the Strip, while the one at 830 S. 4th Street (001-702-383-7022) is nearest to Downtown Las Vegas.

Child Care
If you want to spend a night out on the town without the kids, there are several reliable babysitting agencies. Most will send licenced sitters directly to your hotel room equipped with toys, games, books and movies. A number of hotels also offer child-care services. The Orleans features Kid’s Tyme, a youth centre with on-site supervised activities. Boulder Station, Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa, Santa Fe, Sunset Station and Texas Station all house professionally supervised Kids Quest facilities with indoor playgrounds and infant/toddler rooms.

Curfew
Las Vegas is part of Clark County and therefore has a curfew ordinance. This means that minors (i.e., those under 18 years of age) are not allowed on the Strip after 21.00 on weekends and holidays without a parent or guardian.

Disabled Travellers
Visitors with disabilities will be very comfortable in Las Vegas. All of the hotels offer wheelchair-accessible facilities. In addition, most showrooms and restaurants are equipped with special seating for disabled guests. Regarding transportation, the city’s buses—including the double-decker Deuce—are low-floor, wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Several independent companies, such as Nevada Medi-Car (001-702-382-5820), can also provide transport to visitors in wheelchairs.

Embassy & Consulates
The British Embassy in the U.S. is located in Washington, D.C. However, there are consulates spread throughout the country—including one in Los Angeles, California. It is at 11766 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, California 90025. The telephone number is 001-310-481-0031, and the e-mail address is mail@britishconsulatela.com.

Emergencies
In the U.S., dial 911 for emergency ambulance, fire or police services. There are more than 15 hospitals in the Clark County area. If an emergency should arise, the University Medical Centre (1800 W. Charleston Blvd., 001-702-383-2000) has a level one trauma centre. If you find you need to see a doctor, there are quick-care clinics located throughout Las Vegas.

Gaming Lessons
Many casinos offer free gaming lessons to any casino patron. You don’t even have to be a guest of the hotel. The lessons are usually held on weekday afternoons at tables on the gaming floor. Ask a casino host for the schedule. No arrangements are necessary. Just have a seat (or stand in the case of craps) at the designated table a few minutes before lesson time. It’s a nice gesture to tip the dealer who conducts the lesson when it’s over.

Money
The unit of currency in the U.S. is the dollar ($). If you run short, you should have little difficulty withdrawing money. Las Vegas is served by automated telling machines (ATMs), which accept bank debit cards, along with Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards. They are located in abundance throughout the casinos, shops and visitors’ attractions. If you have travellers cheques, these can be exchanged most easily at banks, although casino cashier cages can usually cash them, too.

Parking
Generally, parking is plentiful—and free—in Las Vegas. Most hotels offer free self-parking garages as well as valet parking, which is convenient and will only cost you $1-$2 for a tip when you depart.

Mail and E-mail
Stamps can be bought at post offices and sometimes in hotels at front desks or gift shops. Mailing a postcard to the U.K. costs 98¢. Many hotels provide free Internet access to guests or have computers for e-mail available in their business centres. There are also numerous coffee shops and cafes in Las Vegas that offer free WiFi—such as Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, It’s a Grind and the Whole Foods Market. McCarran International Airport also offers free WiFi to travellers.

Smoking
In Las Vegas, smoking is allowed in casinos, nightclubs and bars not serving food. However, it is banned from all enclosed public places, including on public transport and in restaurants and bars that serve food.

Tax
Unlike VAT in the U.K., which is included in prices, a sales tax is added to all purchases (except groceries) in Las Vegas. The current rate of sales tax in Nevada is 8.1%. Also, expect to pay a 12% tax on hotel rooms in Las Vegas.

Telephones
The international dialling code for the U.S. is +1. The area code for Southern Nevada is 702. Public telephones take coins, calling cards (which are available in most grocery and convenience stores) or credit cards.

Toilets
Public toilets, which are called “restrooms,” are found in all hotels, visitors’ attractions, restaurants, shopping centres and transportation hubs. There is no charge to use them. Most restrooms have facilities available for the disabled and those with babies.

Maverick Grand Canyon Helicopter tours company hopes this information helps in planning your Las Vegas vacation. We look forward to seeing you.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Bryan Kroten, (702) 948-1407 or bkroten@maverickaviationgroup.com
February 1, 2010
    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA—Race fans attending the 2010 NASCAR Weekend, February 26-28, can travel to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in VIP style with Maverick Helicopters.

Maverick Helicopters is the only helicopter company to provide air travel to and from the Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the 2010 NASCAR Weekend.  Because more than 400 race fans flew with Maverick Helicopters during the event last year, the company will dedicate the majority of its fleet to this year’s event.  Maverick Helicopters has been providing race-day transportation for more than 10 years.
 
“This is one of our biggest helicopter events of the year,” said Greg Rochna, owner of Maverick Helicopters.  “We are excited to be the Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s exclusive helicopter company and know that fans who choose to travel by helicopter will have an experience they will never forget.”

2010 NASCAR Weekend includes the following events:  Pole Day on Friday, February 26; NASCAR Nationwide Series Sam’s Town 300 on Saturday, February 27 and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Shelby American Race on Sunday, February 28.  Maverick Helicopters has NASCAR VIP Transfer packages as well as private and customer charters available during these events.

The NASCAR VIP Transfer package includes travel in a state-of-the-art helicopter, which is outfitted with comfortable leather seats and wraparound glass for an unobstructed view.  The package is priced at $500 for round-trip transportation on Saturday or Sunday, with one-way flights being offered on Sunday at $300 per person.  There is a multi-day discount for those who make advanced reservations.  All flights depart and arrive through the company’s main terminal, which is located at 6075 Las Vegas Boulevard South, near Mandalay Bay. Complimentary round-trip ground transportation to and from select Strip properties is included.

For more information, or to make a reservation for the NASCAR VIP Transfer package, call 888-261-4414 or visit maverickhelicopter.com.

For race fans who haven’t bought tickets yet, there are still seats available for all events during NASCAR weekend. Call the Las Vegas Motor Speedway at 800-644-4444 or go online at lvms.com.
  

Are you keen to know how Las Vegas came to be? Of course, Sin City’s history is centuries shorter than almost any city (and most of the buildings!) in the United Kingdom, but it is still colourful and filled with periods of struggle, growth and innovation.

Before the big megaresorts, before the Rat Pack and the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, before the mob, before even the desert existed, the whole region surrounding Las Vegas was a marsh of water and vegetation. Native Americans were the first to inhabit it. As time passed and the water receded below the surface, the area became a meadowland. In 1829, Mexican traders following the Old Spanish Trail to Los Angeles passed through and named it Las Vegas, which is Spanish for “the meadows.” Shortly after, Mormons from Salt Lake City came and settled here. By 1890 railroad developers had determined the water-rich desert oasis would be a great location for both a train stop and a town. So Las Vegas was officially founded in 1905 and incorporated as a city in 1911. Generally, it served as a watering hole and rest stop for travellers on their way to other parts of the country.

Although gaming was around, it wasn’t legalised in the state of Nevada until 1931. The El Rancho Vegas, which opened in 1941, was the first casino on what would become the world-famous Strip. Mobster Bugsy Siegel launched his famed Flamingo in 1946. A building boom soon followed and the Strip had undeniably emerged by the 1950s, as did legendary headliners like Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley.

Las Vegas began to hit its stride in the 1970s, when gaming revenues reached the $1 billion level. The dawn of the megaresort began in 1989 with The Mirage, which was built by visionary Steve Wynn. The early and mid 1990s saw several more big openings including the Excalibur, Luxor, MGM Grand, New York-New York, Rio, Stratosphere and Treasure Island. Late in that decade, new properties like the Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Paris Las Vegas and The Venetian also materialised, putting visitors in the lap of luxury. If this strikes your interest why not see the famous Las Vegas strip from the sky with a Maverick Vegas Night Helicopter tour.

It turns out the Noughties were focused more on expansion, as many well-established resorts built lavish new towers. In 2005, Steve Wynn did open the Wynn Las Vegas resort and followed that up with Encore three years later. High-rise condos, celebrity chef-run restaurants, upscale shopping malls and chic nightclubs dubbed “ultra lounges” were all the rage. Unfortunately, the Noughties ended on a down note. As the world’s economy struggled with recession, gaming revenues fell in Las Vegas and many projects were scaled back, postponed or cancelled. However, making a show of strength and extravagance, the $8.4 billion urban metropolis known as CityCenter, which is located at the heart of the Strip, saw several of its resorts open for business in December of 2009.

Today, the annual visitors’ count is strong—topping 37 million. Construction, though not booming, is still continuing at a steady pace. So for 2010, you can expect to experience more in Las Vegas than ever before, and you’ll see many new developments taking shape for the future.

Written by The Travel Gal

Going to and from the Airport
Most flights land at McCarran International Airport, which is located near the Strip. It’s one of the busiest airports in the world. McCarran International Airport is comprised of two terminals. Domestic flights arrive at Terminal 1, and international flights—such as those operated by Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and bmi—arrive at Terminal 2. There are several companies that offer transportation to and from the airport. They are located outside the baggage claim area at Terminal 1. Bell Trans, CLS, Gray Line/Coach USA and Showtime all provide shuttles that go to the Strip and Downtown Las Vegas for less than $10. There is also a taxi queue. The fare is $3.30 for the first mile, plus $2.40 for each additional mile and $0.20 for every 24 seconds of waiting. You can have up to five passengers for no additional charge, but there’s a $1.80 fee for every fare originating at the airport. Another option is to rent a limousine. The cost is not as high as you might imagine. The hourly fee for a basic sedan limo starts at $39. And, if you do decide you’d like to hire a care, there’s a free shuttle bus that will take you to the McCarran Rent-a-Car Center, which is home to 12 major car rental companies. It departs every five minutes.

Getting Around by Ground
Aside from walking, you have six options for ground transportation in Las Vegas—bus, trolley, taxi, limousine, monorail and rental car.

Bus
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada operates several bus systems in Las Vegas. CAT (Citizens Area Transit) covers the greater Las Vegas valley. The gold double-decker Deuce, reminiscent of London’s red buses, operates along the Strip 24 hours a day with stops at most of the city’s major resorts. The ACE Rapid Transit System is being launched in early 2010 to provide quick connections between Downtown Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Strip. For routes, schedules and fares, call 001-800-228-3911 or visit rtcsouthernnevada.com.

Trolley
The Las Vegas Strip Trolley provides hop-on, hop-off sightseeing travel along the Strip and beyond. It has stops at all the major hotels and goes as far south as the Silverton. There are also routes that will take you to Downtown Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Convention Center and Hard Rock Hotel. Riding in the Las Vegas Strip Trolley’s colourful coach with its brass fixtures, park lighting and wooden benches is a unique experience. For schedules and rates, call 001-877-332-8689 or visit lasvegasstriptrolley.com.

Taxi

Regrettably, Americans are famous for destroying the Queen’s English. But when you visit the States, even if you don’t want to sound like the Yanks, you’ll still want to be able to converse with them. So here are some common British words with their American equivalents. We’ve even grouped them into travel-related categories for you.

Clothing
Bum Bag – Fanny Pack
Dressing Gown – Robe
Jumper – Sweater
Tights – Pantyhose
Trainers – Tennis Shoes
Trousers – Pants
Knickers or Smalls – Underwear or Panties
Swimming Costume – Bathing Suit

General Travel
Banklink or Hole in the Wall – ATM or Teller
Bureau de Change – Currency Exchange
Fortnight – Two Weeks
Holiday – Vacation
Loo, Toilet or Watercloset – Restroom
Mobile – Cell
Public Day Off – Holiday
Queue – Line
Quid – Buck

Hotel
Duvet – Comforter
Lift – Elevator
Reception – Front Desk
Tap – Faucet
Wardrobe – Closet

Medical
Casualty – Emergency Room
Chemist – Drug Store or Pharmacist
Surgery – Doctor’s Office

Miscellaneous
Bin – Trashcan
Cinema – Movie Theater
Fag – Cigarette
Football – Soccer
Hair Grip – Barrette or Bobby Pin
Hoover – Vacuum Cleaner
Interval – Intermission
Off-Licence – Liquor Store
Plaster – Band-Aid
Rubber – Eraser
Rubbish – Trash
Solicitor – Lawyer
Torch – Flashlight

Parenting
Cot – Crib
Nappy – Diaper
Pram – Baby Buggy
Pushchair – Stroller

Restaurant
Banger – Sausage
Bap – Roll or Hamburger Bun
Biscuit – Cookie
Candyfloss – Cotton Candy
Chips – Fries
Crisps – Potato Chips
Courgette – Zucchini
Fairy Cake – Cupcake
Gherkin – Pickle
HP Sauce – Similar to A1 Sauce
Jacket Potato – Baked Potato
Lemonade – 7UP or Sprite
Main – Entrée
Mash – Mashed Potatoes
Mince – Ground Beef
Rasher – Slice of Bacon
Rump Steak – Sirloin Steak
Semi-skimmed Milk – 2% or Lowfat Milk
Starter – Appetizer
Take-away – To Go
Tin – Can

Transportation
Bonnet – Hood
Boot – Trunk
Car Hire – Car Rental
Caravan – Trailer
Carparks – Parking Lots
Diversion – Detour
Fire Engine – Fire Truck
Footpaths or Footways – Sidewalks
Indicator Lights – Blinkers
Lollipop Man/Lady – Crossing Guard
Lorry – Truck
Manual – Stickshift
Motorway – Highway or Freeway
Number Plate – Licence Plate
Petrol – Gas
Petrol Station – Gas Station
Windscreen – Windshield
Zebra Crossing – Crosswalk

Maverick Grand Canyon Helicopter tour company receives a large amount of UK visitors yearly so we thought it would be a great idea to provide a quick reference of "American" terms to use doing their Las Vegas vacation. We hope you find this helpful and a bit funny. Enjoy your vacation.

You love surprises and here at Maverick Helicopter Tours, we love planning them. There are plenty of ways to just get away from it all and Maverick can help. Maverick provides amazing Grand Canyon tours full of wonder and beauty.  Don’t ever be limited by the calendar or the weather----that should never stop the ROMANCE. So let’s set the stage for a journey to remember as you reserve your first class ticket to the World’s most majestic landscape...THE GRAND CANYON.  Once at the landing spot you can share a champagne toast or just gaze into one another’s eyes as you cuddle at the canyon's rim.

If the Grand Canyon is not what you have in mind for your special someone. Why not try a neon flight over the Las Vegas Strip as the city shines for the two of you.

No matter what tour you choose with Maverick Helicopters remember to let the spirit move you and the romance take flight.

Las Vegas buzzes day and night with excitement and energy. However, there’s more to Southern Nevada than the Las Vegas Neon Strip and Glitter Gulch. Like London and its multicultural outlying districts, you’ll find several historic cities and natural attractions around Las Vegas to explore—all of which have their own distinct atmosphere. Here’s an introduction to a few nearby points on our compass. If you’d like to visit them and don’t want to drive, Maverick Helicopter Tours will gladly arrange a charter flight for you.

Boulder City
Boulder City is just a few kilometres from Hoover Dam, the historic manmade creation that tamed the raging Colorado River. Boulder City was built in the 1930s to house the dam’s construction workers and their families. Today, it still offers a pleasant, small-town vibe. There are two golf courses and several lovely parks that host annual art festivals. Boulder City’s main street, which is situated along Nevada Highway, is also a wonderful place to stroll. You’ll find many shops offering Native American jewellery, as well as a brewery, diner and wine bar.

Henderson
Henderson is Las Vegas’ next-door neighbour. It’s beginnings date back to Hoover Dam, when an overflow of workers from Boulder City arrived in area. The city was officially founded in 1941 as an industrial town housing employees from the Basic Magnesium plant. Today, Henderson boasts a population of more than 250,000 people, and it’s got an abundance of beautiful parks, trails, golf courses and other recreational facilities. Visitors should explore the Old Town area on Water Street, which has become a thriving arts district. Other attractions include the Veterans wall, the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve and the Galleria at Sunset shopping centre.

Pahrump
Pahrump is one of Southern Nevada’s fastest growing rural cities. It’s located about 95 kilometres from Las Vegas. Most people know it as being the home of the infamous Chicken Ranch brothel, but the area also features casinos, parks, shops and restaurants. The most popular attraction is the Pahrump Valley Winery, which is Nevada’s only winery. Opened in 1990, the facility currently produces nine fine wines. You can take a tour of the grounds, sample wine at the tasting bar and enjoy a gourmet lunch or dinner in Symphony’s Restaurant.

Lake Mead
The Lake Mead National Recreational Area is just 40 kilometres southeast of Las Vegas. Known for being North America’s largest manmade lake, it was created by the engineering wonder Hoover Dam. Lake Mead boasts more than 880 kilometres of shoreline, which makes it a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts who want to enjoy watery pleasures—like swimming, water skiing, jet skiing, boating and fishing—in the middle of the desert.

Mount Charleston
Mount Charleston is only 56 kilometres from Las Vegas. On average its temperatures are about 10°C lower than in Las Vegas. There are gorgeous ponderosa pines and fir trees wherever the eye can see. The highest elevation at Mount Charleston is 3,615 metres. The area is perfect for skiing in winter and for picnicking and hiking during the rest of the year. You can also enjoy a meal or a steaming cup of hot chocolate in the rustic, lodge-style Mount Charleston Hotel.

Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon is just 24 kilometres west of Las Vegas. About 65 million years ago a fault thrust limestone and sandstone over each other—producing the scenic rock formations the area is best known for. It’s a popular place for hiking and rock climbing year round. At the visitors centre, you can see a desert tortoise habitat. Red Rock Canyon is also home to wild burros, bighorn sheep and coyotes.

Spring Mountain Ranch
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is situated at the base of Wilson Cliffs about 48 kilometres west of Las Vegas. The historic New England-style ranch house was a stopover for travellers on the Mormon and Spanish trails. You can explore the old buildings and picnic on the grassy meadow. Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is also the site of outdoor theatre productions and concerts.

Valley of Fire
The Valley of Fire State Park became Nevada’s first state park in 1935. It is only 88 kilometres northwest of Las Vegas. You’ll discover a marvel of scenic landscapes and rock formations comprised of eroded red sandstone there. Hikers can explore hidden canyons, and history buffs will enjoy viewing the petroglyphs. If you are interested in seeing the beautiful red rock formations and the Grand Canyon Maverick has a wonderful combination tour, Dream Catcher Sunset Helicopter tour.

Grand Canyon
Located in western Arizona, the Grand Canyon is one of the world’s seven natural wonders. It was carved over millions of years by the Colorado River. Interestingly, the Grand Canyon is not just one canyon but a series of canyons surrounding a central gorge that measure 1.6 kilometres deep and 445 kilometres long. There are three rims you can visit. The South Rim is the most popular among tourists, while the North Rim has cooler temperatures and is less accessible due to snow in winter. The West Rim, also called Grand Canyon West, is a destination owned by the Hualapai Tribe. It features the modern-day engineering marvel of the Skywalk glass bridge, which is suspended more than 4,000 feet above the canyon's floor. You may want to plan a Grand Canyon helicopter tour to see the rim and walk the glass bridge.

For our visitors coming from the United Kingdom we hope you find this information useful to plan the perfect Las Vegas vacation. Maverick Helicopters tours wants to provide you with helpful tips to make your experience unforgettable.

Talking about weather is a British pastime. To get some idea of what to expect during your holiday in Las Vegas, you can check the current temperature, which is displayed in the upper right-hand corner of the Maverick Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours site, along with a link to a five-day forecast.

For the most part, the weather here is great. Las Vegas is known for having clear blue skies and little rain—the exact opposite of any city in the U.K. Since it is situated in the desert, the climate is very dry. During the summer months, temperatures peak and often reach 48° C. Ironically, in December and January, the thermometer can dip below freezing, but the daytime norm in winter usually ranges from 10° to 15° C.

If you’re planning a trip to Las Vegas, the best times to visit are spring and fall, when temperatures are perfect (i.e., around 32° C). But the other seasons can be brilliant, too. Although temperatures are high in summer, that gives you more reason to soak up the sun at the resorts’ posh pool lounges. And for those who are budget-conscious, winter is when you’ll find great deals. Crowds also tend to be smaller, so you’ll have the run of the city.

After researching the weather for your Las Vegas vacation make plans to see the view from the sky with a Maverick Helicopter Tour called "Vegas Nights."

For more information on the weather in Las Vegas visit Maverick Helicopter website.

While we all have felt the drain one way or another in 2009 the first three weeks in 2010 has painted a picture we hope will last throughout the year.  The interest and bookings has been incredible for our Maverick Helicopter wedding packages to the Grand Canyon, Valley of Fire and the Las Vegas Strip. 

As the saying goes "build it and they will come" applies to our Twilight Dream Standard and Twilight Dream Extended which are  our newest helicopter wedding packages.  The extended package in your personal helicopter will give you a Hoover Dam tour like you have never seen. You also get extra flight time over the Las Vegas strip  in your luxury helicopter.  These are two variations of our Las Vegas Neon Strip Weddings which offers you the extra air time with added advantages for photo opportunities.  Maverick's website will give you details on all our fantastic wedding packages. 

While the Valley of Fire Helicopter wedding is very popular the Grand Canyon helicopter wedding package is our top seller...who doesn't want to say I was married at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, especially our international guests.  The Sunset Brilliance is our top of the line package and includes it all; Grand Canyon, Valley of Fire, Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.

We are still able to accommodate last minute helicopter weddings for the Las Vegas Strip, Grand Canyon and Valley of Fire to some extent but we do advise you to book early to secure your favorite day, time and location.

All our adventure helicopter weddings are unique in their own way and I believe I can put together the perfect wedding for you and your guests.  If the helicopter wedding is not the way to go for you because you have too many guests, perhaps, an after wedding Grand Canyon or the Las Vegas Neon Lights flight would be just the thing for you and your guests.

Please contact me with any questions you might have regarding our wedding or tour packages.

Leanne Semenza

Wedding and Sales Coordinator

Maverick Helicopters

702.261.0007

702.948.1325 direct

702.798.3017 fax

www.maverickhelicopter.com

lsemenza@maverickaviationgroup.com