operate aerial tours.

But they will only last a few days, Mr. Smatt said, because he must return the helicopter to Canada at the end of next week.

The Department of Civil Aviation restricted Mr. Smatt to photography flights when he brought the leased helicopter to Bermuda a month ago. He finished his main photo contract, with the Department of Tourism, yesterday.

Civil Aviation Director Mr. James Pitman could not be reached and Transport Minister the Hon. Ralph Marshall said he was not involved in the process.

But in the past, Government has had a strict attitude toward civilian helicopters. In the late 1970s, it prevented a wealthy expatriate businessman from commuting by helicopter between his Southampton home and Front Street.

Mr. Smatt said he anticipates charging about $50 per passenger for a flight of about 20 minutes. The helicopter can hold up to three passengers.

Details have yet to be worked out, but the trips would begin at the airport, and probably take the passengers up North Shore to Hamilton and back to the airport along the South Shore.

"The public has no need to be concerned about the noise pollution factor,'' Mr. Smatt said. "Altitude limits will be honoured and we will maintain greater distance offshore than we have for aerial photography. We are dealing with an entirely different type of flight.

"We can test the market. I don't anticipate at this short notice setting the world on fire. But one of the nicest aspects of it we now have permission to take the general public up and let them see how beautiful the Island is from there.''