Flying high in the Mexican sky: helicopters emerge as an alternative to sitting in traffic. (Spotlight).

There is a privileged class out there whose members have pockets deep enough to turn local travel around the gridlocked Mexico City madhouse into a pleasure. Their sleek black Mercedes limousines, with plush leather interiors sport gadgets that distract the hands and mind during rush-hour traffic, while a suit-clad chauffeur bears the burden of ensuring a safe arrival.

But though these people ride in unique comfort, they are still subject to the same roadway obstacles as the rest of us--red lights, traffic and plain bad driving--that turn an easy ride from Polanco to San Angel into an arduous journey. From a bird's eye view, these few don't look so privileged.

Now, step into the realm of the super elite who, in their refusal to be bogged down by road rules and gravity, are converting the space above us into an increasingly busy skyway system.

While Brazil is rumored to have more privately owned helicopters per capita than any other regional country, sales in Mexico over the past two years have been booming. In fact, thanks in large part to purchases by the military, the government and Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), more helicopters are sold in Mexico than anywhere else in Latin America. This phenomenon has turned the country into one of the world's best and most lucrative helicopter markets, said Felix Vargas, Bell Helicopter's marketing manager in Mexico.

According to Vargas, the government's many national security interests make it his company's best client. Anti-narcotics operations, military patrols over rebel areas, keeping vigil over Pemex installations and the new terror war are propelling the government's need for state-of-the-art aircraft. However, the extremely wealthy, along with private companies, are also significantly contributing to hefty helicopter sales and spending on helicopter taxi services.

The reasons for purchasing a private helicopter are not diverse, as most customers simply "want to avoid gridlock," Vargas said. A trip from downtown Mexico City to the Toluca airport, which houses a majority of the region's private jets, is at least an hour by road. In a helicopter, it's about 20 minutes. Trips from one helipad in the Mexico City metro area to another can range between five and 10 minutes for executives.

Yet some sky warriors need to venture even farther, according to Nayelli Roaro, owner of Servicios Aereos Alfa, a helicopter taxi service. Some popular destinations include Acapulco, Morelia, and Puebla, though an occasional trip to the Gulf Coast is not uncommon, she said.

There is another increasingly popular reason convincing many individuals and companies to invest in private helicopters. "The rash of kidnappings and street crime that we all face every day has become an overriding concern," said Vargas, who insisted personal safety fears have helped his sales.

But those of you who might consider buying a helicopter for yourself or your company beware. Such a move is not for the weak of wallet. With the most modest helicopters starting at US$1 million and the plushest topping out at a whopping US$6.2 million, according to Vargas, that kind of purchase is an ambitious investment. However, for some companies, like Pemex, Televisa and TVAzteca, having a helicopter fleet is a necessary part of doing business.

If those prices seem a bit stratospheric, there is of course another option: renting helicopter services. But surprise, that's not cheap either. A helicopter taxi ride costs about US$2,000 per hour plus tax said Gerardo Rojano, a pilot at CRI Helicopteros, whose firm is equipped with four choppers. He said customers must pay the full one-hour price regardless of how much time within those first 60 minutes they use. Mter that, clients pay per fraction of the hour. They can be picked up at any airport, and sometimes, from an authorized helipad, but must pay for the amount of time it takes the aircraft to get there.

For executives who decide a helicopter is the right buy, there are several things to look for before signing any papers. Among those is understanding its direct operating cost (DOC), which includes the cost of fuel, maintenance, lubrication, overhaul, service and spare parts. Vargas put the DOC of the Bell's jet ranger helicopter at US$212 per hour.

Another important thing customers should know is what the helicopter's capabilities are and what they are going to use it for, like carrying heavy loads over long distances. Does it come equipped with the desired design features and amenities is another question customers should answer before deciding to buy. The most luxurious helicopters have a leather interior, ample baggage and cabin space, reclining seats and even carpeting. Don't forget to review the configuration of the helicopter's engine, one of the most important elements in determining an aircraft's riding smoothness, fuel economy and safety.

A chopper with adequate capabilities, a durable engine and that receives proper maintenance will probably have a long life. There seems to be no standard recommendation on how often they should be replaced and Vargas said the federal Attorney General's Office (PGR) has helicopters in its fleet over 20 years old. A high resale value for well-cared-for choppers has led to the emergence of a limited used helicopter market, a worth-while option for purchasing more economical choppers or earning extra money to put down on the next one.

After having said all that, it seems like we've forgotten what is arguably the most important feature of any helicopter: who's at the helm. Nayelli Roaro of Servicios Aereos Alfa said emphasizing a pilot's talent and experience can make the difference between an enjoyable ride and one tainted by passenger jitters. Some small talk between the pilot and the passenger doesn't hurt either, she added.

According to Vargas, the pilot community in Mexico is very small and there is no such thing as a pilots' association to make finding the right person to fly you around simpler. He said part of the service Bell offers is finding customers a trusted pilot by asking for references at companies who have regular helicopter operations. But as in many small communities, it is common for pilots in Mexico to know each other so a pilot at a taxi service, for example, could probably provide anyone interested a useful list of names.

While no one should expect a Jetson-like world, where the standard automobile has wings instead of wheels, to develop any time soon, there are certainly some modem-day excepdons. Those of you with big wads of cash stashed away might consider taking on the thrill of transcending the monotony of ground transport and travel the way Mother Nature never intended. After all, just think of how much you'd save on parking.

Armando Saliba is the associate editor of BUSINESS MEXICO