The Grand Canyon is epic in scale. It's 190 miles long, averages a mile deep, and encompasses 1,900 square miles. If you view it from the ground, you'll see 45 miles. From a helicopter, you'll see more than 140 miles. That's a threefold increase in how much canyon you can see in a day. Flying is the best way to enjoy this natural wonder to the max. Before you pull out the plastic and book an air tour, read these 11 need-to-know tips about helicopter tours:

#1 Book your tour in advance. Helicopter tours are insanely popular. Especially from Las Vegas, NV. Making advanced reservations guarantee that you fly on the day of your choice.

#2. Read the small print of your tour reservation cancellation policy prior to booking your flight.

#3. Know which rim you'll be visiting. West Rim or South Rim. These are the two rims that host all helicopter tours in the National Park. The West Rim is 120 miles east of Las Vegas. The South Rim is located in Arizona, just west of Flagstaff, AZ.

#4. Helicopter tours start at $200 per person.

#5. Try to fly during the morning, which gives you time to reschedule in the event there's bad weather.

#6. Bring cameras, binoculars, video cameras etc.

#7. Telephone or email your helicopter tour company when you arrive at your destination and confirm your reservation.

#8 Tip the pilot. They also serve as your guide and know the canyon like the back of their hand. Start between $20 to $30 (US currency) and use judgment from there.

#9. It's impossible to enjoy your tour and videotape or photograph every moment of it.

#10. See if your tour company offers a video of your actual helicopter flight.

#11. Videos of the flight cost extra. They are not bundled into the price of your package.

Helicopters leaving from the Las Vegas area can reach the West Rim in 45 minutes. In addition to flying to the bottom (this is the only place where you can do it), you can include a float down the Colorado River on a pontoon boat or admission to the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass bridge that extends 70 feet past the edge and lifts you 4,000 feet above the river. Top of the rim, check out the authentic Hualapai Indian Village. There's also a free shuttle service that stop at select viewpoints. Key landmarks include Eagle Point, Guano Point, and Hualapai Ranch.

South Rim helicopter tours depart from Grand Canyon Airport, located 10 minutes from the main Park entrance in the town of Tusayan. There are no direct helicopter flights from Las Vegas. To get there, you must take a short-hop airplane flight or a 5.5-hour bus ride then transfer to complete the helicopter portion of you package. Helicopter tours last 30 minutes and fly from the Kaibab Plateau into the Dragoon Corridor until reaching the North Rim before turning back. Aircraft are not allowed to fly below the rim or land on the bottom.

Savvy travelers know that air tours and Grand Canyon helicopters in particular are the quickest way to see as much of this Park as possible in a day. Begin using these tips before you book as well as before and during your flight. Now you are ready to relax and enjoy this incredible natural wonder.