As a photographer who generally stays on the ground, I've always been fascinated by the so-called "daredevil Instagrammers"who climb atop bridges and dangle their feet out of helicopters just to get jaw-dropping shots for their thousands of followers. So when Blade, an on-demand transportation startup that's been dubbed the "Uber for helicopters," offeredme the opportunity to fly in a doorless helicopter over Manhattan, I jumped at the chance without a moment of hesitation.Blade's specialty is in shuttling well-heeled travelers on helicopters and seaplanes between New York, the Hamptons, Nantucket, the Jersey Shore, and Miami. But Blade's newest flightswhich they're offering for $395 a person as part of a partnership with the aerial photography company FlyNyonare more about the journey than the destination, with unforgettable sightseeing of events like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as well as tours of fall foliage from above. I went on November 13, the night when the supermoon was at its brightest since 1948.I had never flown in a helicopter before, so riding in a doorless one, at night, with my feet dangling out over the Hudson River, was like jumping into the deep end. Keep scrolling to see what it was like, and learn the tips you'll need to know when you're ready to become an Instagram superstar.SEE ALSO:Meet the man behind the on-demand helicopter startup that the 1% use to get to the HamptonsI arrived at Blade's pre-flight lounge on the west side of Manhattan about an hour before my 5 p.m. scheduled flight. Complete with comfy couches and a bar that offers various drinks in spill-proof sippy cups, it's a nice place to relax and mentally prep for your flight.However, if you're flying in a doorless helicopter, you're not permitted to drink beforehand. Blade's customer experience reps will kindly take your order and have it waiting for you upon return.After watching the safety video, the other four riders and I were suited up in our harnesses, and I began to feel something in the pit of my stomach ' I realized I was 100% nervous.See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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