Early man made many attempts at flying, such as sewing feathers onto his arms and scaling mountain peaks in order to cling to the underbellies of passing comets. Ride along on a new-fashioned flight with today's Groupon: for $129, you get a 20-minute helicopter tour for two people ($89.99 per person), plus two matted 8"x10" aerial photos ($29.99 each) and one commemorative t-shirt (a $24.99 value) from Alpha Helicopters, valid at either the Fort Myers or Naples location (a $264.95 total value).

Offering tours seven days a week for avid air explorers, Alpha Helicopters serves earthbound humans with a fleet of domesticated helicopters. While soaring swiftly above the ground, riders can catch glimpses of sea dwellers, such as manatees, dolphins, and sea turtles, as well as scenic views of landlubbing buildings and Everglades escapees. The whirlybird experience will be remembered for years, thanks in part to two matted 5"x7" photos taken from the ride high above landlocked bodies of water and land. Adventure seekers will also receive a commemorative Alpha Helicopters t-shirt to publicly proclaim their allegiance to rotorcraft travel or, when prompted by extreme enthusiasm, swing around their head like a helicopter. There is no age limit, meaning children can levitate in safety seats at the same altitude as their parental counterparts. After purchasing the Groupon, guests can upgrade to a sunset, night, weekend/holiday, or video flight for an additional fee.

This Groupon is valid for one tour for up to two people; there is a maximum of three people per tour with a weight limit of 300 pounds per seat. Forty-eight-hour cancellation notice is required.

Reviews

Longboat Key News featured Alpha Helicopters, and eight Google Mappers give the business a five-star average:

• This was the best Birthday present ever! – Debbie Fields, Google Maps