Yes, You Can Now Take A Magnum P.I.-Inspired Helicopter Tour
Fans can take in Oahu’s most coveted sights in a replica of the helicopter made famous in the opening scenes of “Magnum P.I.”
The breathtaking views of island surf and sand are the enviable backdrop for Magnum P.I., but you don’t have to be a Ferrari-driving crime-fighter to take in the picturesque Hawaiian landscapes. In fact, you can travel just like Magnum himself in a helicopter.
Yes, fans can channel their own inner Thomas Magnum with Magnum P.I.-themed helicopter tours designed to resemble the show’s iconic opening credits. Paradise Helicopters offers “doors-off” tours through Oahu’s most coveted sights in a carefully-designed replica of the chopper that first gained fame in the original 1980s version of the show starring Tom Selleck.
The black, orange, and yellow chopper also plays a prominent role in the Jay Hernandez-led remake, which airs Sundays on NBC for its fifth season.
The chopper was made by Phoenix Heliparts in Mesa, Arizona to resemble the original as closely as possible, including the same tail number, paint colors, and airframe, according to Travel Weekly.
“The Chopper was the star of that show for so many of us in the aviation industry, and it made us all want to fly helicopters in Hawaii just like T.C.,” Calvin Dorn, the CEO of Paradise Helicopters, told the news outlet in 2013 of why they wanted to pay homage to the original series.
In a nod to the crime drama, Roger E. Mosley who played “T.C.” in the original and Larry Manetti, who starred as “Rick” in the 1980s version, both signed the nose cone of the helicopter, which is affectionally known to the tour company as “Maggie.”
The one-hour helicopter tour takes fans through the North Shore, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, and Sacred Falls.
“You will even fly the same thrilling route seen in the opening sequence of Magnum, P.I., which takes you offshore as you cruise past iconic Waikiki,” the company touts on its website.
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The tours, which depart from Turtle Bay Resort, are available to children and adults — but they come at a cost. The rides start at $499 a person, according to the website.
While Paradise Helicopters is the only tour company to boast having a replica of the chopper, it isn’t the only company to offer Magnum P.I.-themed tours.
Hawaii Tours and Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours also give tours through Oahu that take passengers through many of the same sights featured in the show.
The rebooted Magnum P.I. is also filmed in Hawaii at locations all over the island: Honolulu, Waimanolo, Kaneohe, Aiea, Waialua, Kapolei, and Kailua, Hawaii.
“We used every inch of that Island,” Eric Guggenheim, showrunner for Magnum P.I., told NBC Insider. “No matter where you are, it's beautiful. It's so picturesque. There are no bad angles on that island. So we use all of it ... I really wanted it to be something that showed off just how beautiful the island is. Hawaii has some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world."
Magnum P.I. airs Sundays at 9/8c on NBC. The episodes will be available to stream on Peacock the following day.
