off for Mr. Michael Smatt.

Mr. Smatt now has his Bell Jet Ranger available for tours and hire, but he only received a licence two weeks ago.

And now the gamble is how many people he can get to go up in the "chopper'' and whether he can persuade the Tourism Ministry to back his venture.

Mr. Smatt flew tours last year but the Government only agreed to licence his trips provisionally.

However he knew by the end of the season that he would probably get a licence this season.

So he went ahead and bought the state-of-the-art Jet Ranger, which has a number of new safety and viewing advantages.

The chopper does not have the usual fixed floats which Mr. Smatt says will improve the view especially for people taking photographs. It has a new "pop out'' flotation system.

It also has an improved communications system both internally and to the outside world and a cable cutter.

Mr. Smatt said: "I will be making tours of the Island for between $65 to $85, which compares very favourably with tours in other places in the Caribbean and on the East Coast of the United States, which I have investigated.

"It would be nice if the Ministry of Tourism could become involved in some way. It will certainly give visitors a different view of the Island.'' Commercial hire will cost around $850 a hour and the helicopter will also be available for search work.

Mr. Smatt said: "It can be in the air in six minutes and can travel 150 mph so it can cover a large area quickly.'' The business is ready to take off immediately and Mr. Smatt already has one customer who wants to video-tape parts of the Island.

A direct line to the airport is being prepared but people who want to book a flight can phone Smatt's Cycle Livery.

WHIRLYBIRD -- Mr. Michael Smatt in his new helicopter.