Description of the YouTube video above.
During the late 1950’s, the North Dakota National Guard Aviation Facility in Bismarck was formed. The unit flew the Hiller OH-23 Raven helicopter (UH-12 civilian version). In those days, the helicopter was a rare sight in the area, and most people had never seen one up close, let alone fly. The helicopters were displayed all around the region at small towns, county fairs, and centennial celebrations. This was a short comedy display about someone who had too much to drink, and needed some medical attention. They put him in the helicopter while they go look for a pilot that can fly him home. Obviously he takes off by himself. The routine featured some barrel tricks, including blowing the barrel into the announcer. The drunken part of the act was replaced with more precision flying, and eventually with the aircraft just being a static display for liability reasons. Pilot of the helicopter was Col. James Grimstad. A side note, as some of the small towns did not know what to expect when the helicopter was scheduled to arrive at their celebration, a number of them had mowed long runways by the fairgrounds. It was always amusing when the helicopter would over fly the runway they worked so hard on, and land in the middle of town.
Just for laughs updated the gag in 2011.
http://www.hahaha.com Free helicopter ride with drunk pilot, how about it? Protip: When the pilot puts on a parachute and doesn’t give you one, get the hell out of there. A presentation of the Just For Laughs Gags. The funny hidden camera pranks show for the whole family. Juste pour rire les gags, l’émission de caméra caché la plus comique de la télé!
