150 spots open to all; applications close Oct. 12 at 1 p.m.
Yangju city is accepting applications for 150 spots to ride the Surion (KUH-1) military helicopter as part of the 2026 Gyeonggi-Yangju-Ground Operations Command Dronebot Festival. The deadline is 1 p.m. on Oct. 12.
The festival is co-hosted by Gyeonggi Province, Yangju city and the Ground Operations Command and organized by a civilian-government-military event committee. It runs for three days, from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, at Ganapri Airfield.
The helicopter rides will operate on the final day of the festival, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Participants will board the Surion — the Army's primary utility helicopter — and take off from Ganapri Airfield on a roughly 15-minute flight over Yangju City Hall, Okjeong-dong and the skies near Dongducheon before returning to the festival grounds.
Applications can be submitted through an online link or QR code provided in the public notice on the Yangju city website.
All participants must obtain insurance coverage before boarding. Those selected must submit proof of insurance on the day of the flight to receive final confirmation of their spot.
For safety reasons, people with high blood pressure, a fear of heights, the elderly, those with physical or mental conditions, and pregnant women are barred from participating. All riders must bring a valid ID on the day of the flight.
"Yangju in autumn, seen from the sky, will be a truly special experience for residents," said Lee Jeong-su, head of the city's business support division. "We will prepare thoroughly to ensure the event runs smoothly, with safety as our top priority."
pjh@heraldcorp.com
