Fun Facts about Oliver and FunFlights Helicopter-Tours
Interview: Fun Facts about Oliver and FunFlights Helicopter-Tours
Recently, we met one very special person responsible for one unique and exciting service offered in Switzerland.
I’m talking about Oliver Furrer, the Managing Director and founder of the Helicopter Tour company FunFlights based in Bern.
As we are approaching our second year of collaboration with FunFlights and being somehow close to the company from its beginnings, we decided to share Oliver’s story with you.
We visited his offices at the Bern airport and saw the man in action, giving us a short tour of the magnificent scenery. It is an unforgettable experience. So here is what Oliver had to share with us.
Oliver Furrer in its full glory, ready to fly!
Irina: So please tell us a few things about yourself. What is your profession, and when did the love of flying appear first?
Oliver: Thanks for this interview, and I’m pleased to give you a wider overview of my person and the FunFlights company. Well, I’m the primary pilot at FunFlights helicopter tours and the managing director of this company. 1996 I started flying fixed wings in Arizona on a Cessna 152. Thereby, I recognised that the view out of a cockpit onto the landscape below is unique, and I love the feeling of being in the sky, away from the rush of daily business.
Irina: How old were you when you started flying?
Oliver: After 24 years, I started flying fixed-wing aircraft, and six years ago, I furthered my education as a commercial helicopter pilot.
Irina: How did the idea of creating Fun Flights appear, and did you do this venture alone or with the help of partners?
Oliver: I founded the FunFlights GmbH company for various reasons.
At first, I had a helicopter tandem skydiving company with two partners in Interlaken, Switzerland. We specialise in jumps from helicopters with local customers. However, this business model did not cover scenic tourist flights, and my passion is flying helicopters and showing passengers Switzerland from above. That’s why I founded FunFlights GmbH.
It is just a regular view that Oliver enjoys every time he flies with clients.
Irina: What were your tours offering to the clients? What can the clients expect during the flight?
Oliver: We offer our customers five private helicopter tours. These flights last 20 to 75 minutes and take guests from the Swiss capital city airport to the Alps. Our customers can choose the route, and we fly over the turquoise blue lakes and green valleys to the white snow-covered mountains. It is unique to see the Swiss mountain world from above with its glaciers and deep valleys.
Irina: Which are your favourite places in Switzerland and why?
Oliver: I grew up in Eastern Switzerland, but I’ve lived in Bern for over 20 years because it’s probably the most beautiful city in Switzerland. I spend much time flying helicopters and am always amazed to see the Bernese Alps and Lake Thun from above. I can’t imagine a life outside of this region.
Irina: In your opinion, where is the most stunning view in Switzerland?
Oliver: As I said, I fly a lot in helicopters, and the most impressive place where you have the best view of all the mountains is over the Valais Valley on the way to the Matterhorn.
Irina: Share an exciting experience you had with clients.
Oliver: This summer, I flew to the Jungfraujoch with a family. I had two children in the cockpit who had never flown before. The children’s eyes lit up after we took off. They were so fascinated by hovering in the helicopter and how different the world looked from above. I’ll never forget their happy laughter after we landed safely. The children were so pleased and wanted to go immediately for another flight.
I am thrilled to show our passengers the beautiful Switzerland from above!
One of Oliver’s birds with happy clients!
Irina: Finally, give us your view on why a flight with FunFlights can be a perfect gift for your loved one.
Oliver: Nothing is better than discovering something unique with friends or family. During a helicopter tour, our guests will spend time together and afterwards can look back on the experience with great joy. A FunFlights helicopter tour is the perfect gift where everyone gets their exclusive adventure.
We look forward to the next flight with your friends and family!
Irina: Thank you, Oliver, for this experience and the time you spent with us sharing your story with our readers. We are returning for more flying with you in a different season. Switzerland must give a magnificent view in spring, summer, and autumn, as well as what we experience now in winter.
Spring is always a great season to fly!
And after we return to our everyday life, waiting for the Christmas holidays to come soon, I have to say only this one last thing.
Together with my team, we had such a great time chatting with Oliver and want to thank him for giving us the experience of seeing the Bernise region from above.
You are welcome to explore the FunFlights Helicopter-Tours and get the same experience any time of the year.
Share some of your experiences, if you had them with us, in our comments below.
Photos are from the private collection of FunFlights, and some are from our last visit there.
Also, visit FuFlights profile on our website, and get some more info about their business.
