Today we’d like to introduce you to Trevor Heffernan.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was driving to a family farm in northern Illinois from the city daily and was fed up with sitting in traffic so I learned to fly a helicopter and bought one to fly from he city to the farm. In doing so, I learned that there was zero helicopter access to the city of Chicago and there were zero helicopter companies in Chicago. Every other city in the country has this, so I saw a huge void in the market and an opportunity. I started flying tours our of Chicago Executive Airport in 2012. I began work immediately on getting a downtown heliport approved. It took three years to get the downtown heliport approved and we moved to the downtown location in the summer of 2015. We have been growing steadily since. It was a very challenging and long process to bring my vision to reality and I had to overcome countless obstacles and issues in order to obtain all the approvals, licenses, zoning, FAA certificates, State of Illinois licenses, etc to operate this business in the city. Today, we finally have a fleet of aircraft, a team of employees, and the landing location which will enable us to grow and develop our site and expand our services. We will develop our 6 acre heliport into a destination composed of private event space, tour lounge, charter lounge, restaurant, and river front boat docks. Our services will include everything from tours to private charters, to shuttles to Ohare in 7 min for $85pp.
Has it been a smooth road?
Ha!
It has been the most ridiculous, overwhelming, obstacle-ridden, red tape infested, life draining process one could ever imagine. Literally the worst circumstances every step of the way possible. Blazing a new trail, doing something for the first time ever, creating something from nothing is never easy and this quest of mine has proven this on every level.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We provide the most epic experience in Chicago.
We specialize in helicopter tours of the beautiful city of Chicago.
We are known for the entire experience, not just the flight. Our night time tours are the most amazing way to see the city.
I am proud of the smiling, high-fiving, exhilarated faced I see coming off my aircraft after every flight.
We are the best in every way. Best aircraft, best staff, best location, best scheduling software, the most efficient helicopter company, and fly more people per hour per aircraft than any other helicopter tour company in the country.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Our city was a great opportunity for a business like mine. Its a proven business model in every other major city in the world. Chicago just hadn’t let anyone do it yet.
If someone was just starting out I would say good luck, I hope you have done have a wife, kids, friends, social life, hobbies, interests, or responsibilities outside of work, and to prepare to have no income for 7 years.
The city was great, what I was doing was just new to everyone and helicopters coming and going all day frightened and concerned a lot of people and that made every step along the way very challenging.
Pricing:
- Daytime tour $158pp
- Night time tour $178pp
- Fireworks tour $400pp
- Private tour $1,100 for up to 6 passengers
Contact Info:
- Address: 2420 S Halsted
Chicago, IL 60608 - Website: www.chetours.com
- Phone: 312-967-8687
- Email: info@chetours.com
- Instagram: @chetours
- Facebook: @chetours
- Twitter: @chetours
- Yelp: Chicago Helicopter Experience
- Other: Chicago Helicopter Experience
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
