Over the past several years, Niagara Helicopters has been asked to do some very spectacular things – some for community service, some for public relations and some for charity. Some ideas are easy to accomplish while others are so outlandish there is no safe way to pull the operations off so they have to be denied. From daring life-saving missions to wedding proposals with flair, from feats of pure magic to magic moments the company has been involved in some very interesting projects.
Niagara Helicopters
Beyond the Falls
March 20th 2026
One of the best partnerships the company enjoys is with the Niagara Parks Police High Angle Rescue Team (HART) and the Niagara Falls Fire Department Repel Team. This joint venture all began decades ago when the Niagara Helicopters Operations team, the Niagara Parks Police (NPP) and the Firefighters met to discuss the possibility of the three organizations working together for high risk rescues in the Niagara Gorge. Unfortunately, there are times when unknowing individuals avoid the warning signs in the Niagara gorge and strays a bit too close to the water’s edge and lose their footing – a potentially catastrophic situation.
To assist with these “water rescues”, over 20 years ago a team was formed and they began training together simulating rescuing a person from within the churning waters of the Niagara River. Members of the elite team would be attached to the helicopter by a rope and harness and lifted up hundreds of feet in the air for several minutes. They would then be lowered to a target area simulating rescuing a real person and sometimes the K9 unit also got involved! The team practiced several times a year. All of it well worth it given they’ve been deployed on several occasions since then to help save lives. In addition, the company has helped with numerous searches – from missing persons to missing animals to missing vehicles and equipment. Their commitment to the community is undeniable.
But the Niagara Helicopters team has also been deployed to assist in other more joyful occasions as well – like charity golf ball drops where hundreds of numbered golf balls are released over the 18th hole of a golf course from 200 feet in the air. (first ball in or closest to the pin would win a prize). The organization has delivered Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, the Easter Bunny, Leprechauns and many celebrities to different venues across the Niagara Region and beyond. They’ve landed movie stars, athletes and television celebrities at their “Premier Events”. They’ve assisted Brides and Grooms to arrive in style at their Wedding venues. They’ve even had World Famous Magician Greg Frewin make one of their helicopters disappear out of thin air and reappear on his stage.
Anna Pierce, VP for the company says, “Helicopters are so versatile! There are so many ways to use a helicopter that we are literally only limited by the imagination when it comes to special events – as long as there are no issues with safety, of course. Nothing we do will ever endanger our clients or crew. We are firm supporters of our community and we love to put smiles on the faces of not only those in the air but those watching on the ground as well. We love to have people come by and just watch the show!”
Book your next helicopter journey with Niagara Helicopters and the CanaDream Club to be a part of the magic!
