Status symbol - The sky-high popularity of helicopters

THE much vaunted Celtic Tiger may be extinct but one of its principle status symbols is still going strong.

Once perceived among the defining images of personal wealth, the helicopter is now a common sight in the skies over Ireland.

Every August, they literally swarm on the West Coast, carrying horse owners, well heeled punters, and political toadies to the Galway Races.

Invariably, the sight and sound of a helicopter arouse curiosity or envy, or both.

But there is no denying they can be eminently practical. Tourism is a case in point. And in life-and-death emergencies, they are absolutely invaluable

In a fast changing Ireland, the pressures of modern life are exacerbated by the daily grind of commuting. So, it’s not surprising that busy people, whose time costs money, are willing to pay for the convenience of flying by helicopter rather than spend hours crawling through Ireland’s never ending traffic snarl.