When summer unfurls its wings and flaps languidly through the air, commandeer a helicopter and pursue it into the sky, harpoon in hand. In the unlikely event that you lack helicopter access, today's Groupon provides one of three airborne adventures from Holmes Helicopters in Newberg. Depending on your lofty desires, purchase one of the following Groupons:

• $99 for a 20-minute helicopter tour of the Willamette River for two people (a $175 value)
• $149 for a 45-minute helicopter tour of Dundee Hills for two people (a $300 value)
• $79 for a 20-minute helicopter lesson for one person (a $150 value)

With a friendly crew of chopper operators, Holmes launches scenic tours and hands-on lessons from the open pads at Sportsman Airpark, which is about 40 minutes southwest of downtown Portland. No matter which flight path you choose, the comforts of a Hiller 12-D or 12-E helicopter will be the chopper chariot. The spherical sky-mobile is designed for smooth rides and spectacular views. In flight, feel free to nudge your fellow passenger lovingly as you both admire the patch-worked wine country of Dundee Hills or the water soaked river known as the wet Willamette, depending on your chosen tour.

For those opting to take the reigns for a 20-minute lesson, you'll be guided through the ups and downs of moving up and down, side to side, and right side up with your veteran co-pilot beside you. Though a single lesson won't result in solo-flight certification, the time is applicable toward pilot hours. After the short session, prospective pilots will possess the ability to fly in dreams, on commercial airlines, and in the presence of sufficiently happy thoughts.

A reservation is required 48 hours in advance. The individual weight of one person must not exceed 300 pounds, and the combined weight of passengers must not exceed 400 pounds.