The number of people buying and using helicopters in Ireland has doubled over the past five years.
Latest figures from the Irish Aviation Authority show that there are now 113 helicopters registered in Ireland. In the year 2000, there were just 56.
More of Ireland's rich are flying high in the Irish skies.
Captain Colm King, managing director of Swift Air Aviation, says people are using helicopters as a means of avoiding traffic congestion. Five years ago, the ultimate status symbol was a top of the range Mercedes car, but now it is a helicopter.
The cost of a helicopter can range from €90,000 to €6,000,000. Additional costs include insurance, maintenance, piloting and fuel.
Even if you can not afford to buy your own helicopter, many people are using them to get around. At the Galway races last week, 300 helicopter journeys took visitors in and out of Ballybrit each day. Jim Mansfield, owner of Weston Aerodrome, says,
If you want to get somewhere, a chopper's the way to do it, if you can afford one.
Weston Aerodrome has recently built a second terminal to facilitate the increase in the number of private jets.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 2 August 2005. The reporter is Samantha Libreri.
