Visitors to Parliament Hill Saturday morning would have been surprised to see a low-flying helicopter, something that is not usually allowed in the area.

But this one had special permission to fly low so a camera mounted on the front could shoot scenes for a new attraction that will open in Vancouver next spring.

FlyOver Canada will open at Canada Place on Vancouver’s waterfront.

Groups of up to 60 visitors at a time will be lifted in front of a large spherical screen in what used to be Vancouver’s IMAX theatre. From there, they will watch virtual-flight technology that will take them on an aerial trip across the country.

Ottawa is just the latest stop on the helicopter’s cross-country tour, gathering footage for the attraction.

The video will be enhanced by the presence of winds, scents, mist and sound, organizers say.

The Whistler, B.C., based film company Sherpas Cinema has been crisscrossing Canada for the past 10 months shooting footage everywhere from Bella Coola, B.C., to Niagara Falls and Ottawa.