Tactical Helicopter Flying Lesson

Imagine flying like a bird through the air knowing that you’re in control! This fantastic unique helicopter flying experience will give you that feeling as you and up to 2 friends don’t just get to fly in a helicopter, but you get to pilot one too!

This helicopter trial lesson will offer you the chance to really do something different as you discover how important navigation and observation are within flying a chopper. You’ll start with a short safety briefing explaining all aspects of flight including the controls and how the machine flies before taking the controls and actually flying!

You will spend up to 20 minutes in the air split into three sessions of observation, navigation and flying. The time you spend up in the air even counts towards a pilot licence!

There’s no better way to gain an insight into the world of flying than with this experience and it’s a great gift for anyone that has an interest in flying and has always wanted to try it.

For each person the experience includes:
A safety briefing with the pilot
A briefing on the controls
2 x Circuit flights in the rear as passengers
1 x Circuit hands-on in the co-pilot seat having a lesson

*This isn’t a private flight. If you book for 2 people for example, the one spare space to make up 3 passengers could be filled by someone from another booking.*

Is this experience weather dependant? 

Yes, all flights are subject to weather, operational factors and are subject to the possibility of short notice cancellation.

As the weather is ever changing, the pilot will not make a decision until 6pm the evening before your flight. Please do follow the weather check process on your boarding pass

It is important to note that things can change at the last minute and whilst we try our best to predict the weather, reports are not always accurate.

Please note
Helicopter experiences are subject to weather, aircraft serviceability, operational matters and availability. Once you have booked your helicopter experience, you are bound by the terms of the experience provider and in the event of 3 or less cancellations, you will be obliged to rebook the experience, rather than exchange or have a refund.

Is this experience private? 

All helicopters can seat at least 4 people, but there are a few helicopters that have 6 spaces, so exclusivity is not guaranteed. 

If your experience is named as "private", this will be a private flight for your group only.

Co-Pilot Seat

There may be an option to upgrade (when booking) to sit in the front of the aircraft in the Co-Pilot seat. There will be an upgrade cost to this which varies in price depending on the duration of the flight.

If you were to purchase 4 x For 1 vouchers, this would not include the front co-pilot seat and would be for rear seats only. An additional upgrade cost would be needed if one of you wanted to sit in the co-pilot seat. 

What is the maximum participant weight?

Flying activities have maximum weights (per seat) to ensure health and safety along with the comfort of fellow passengers.

You must enter passenger/participant weight at the time of booking an experience. If weight varies between the time of initial booking and date of flight experience it remains the responsibility of the customer to update their individual weight via their online account prior to flight.

All passengers will be weighed before flight and if disparity exists between weight disclosed and actual weight (within reason), the passenger may be ineligible to fly.

The following weight restrictions cover multiple flying experiences:

Aeroplane Flying Lessons (2 Seater Aircraft) – Max 15 Stone (95kg)
Aeroplane Flying Lessons (4 Seater Aircraft) – Max 17.9 Stone (114kg)
Double Landing Flying Lesson, Max 16 Stone (102KG) Triple Landing Flying Lesson

Helicopter Flying Lesson - Max 15 Stone (95KG)

Helicopter Pleasure Flights (Bell 206 Jet Ranger and Bell 206 Long Ranger):

Group size of One - Max 15 Stone (95KG)
Group size of Two - Max 30 Stone (190KG)
Group size of Three - Max 43 Stone (273KG)
​Group size of Four - Max 56 Stone (355KG)
Group size of Five - Max 63 Stone (400KG)
Group size of Six - Max 75 Stone (475KG)

Helicopter Pleasure Flights (Robinson R44):

Group size of One - Max 15 Stone (95KG)
Group size of Two - Max 30 Stone (190KG)
Group size of Three - Max 39 Stone (250KG)

**Variation of weight restrictions may apply with external third party providers.**

Please note that the maximum weight limit for the Co Pilot Seat on a helicopter pleasure flight varies depending on aircraft and other operational considerations but will not exceed 95kg. If disparity exists between disclosed and actual weight (within reason), the Co Pilot Seat upgrade will be forfeited and no refund will be payable in view of loss of experience.

If as a party of one you weigh in excess of 15 stone, you may still be able to fly however you will need to purchase an additional seat. This seat will either have to remain unoccupied or can be occupied by an individual as long as the combined total as listed above is not exceeded. However, a total individual weight of 20 stone cannot be exceeded.

The experience provider flies a variety of aircraft with varying passenger capacity. Seating will either be forward or rear facing, dependant on aircraft. The Co Pilot seat is an optional upgrade and if this is booked as part of a party of two or more passengers, the second passenger is guaranteed a window seat. Standard vouchers are for rear seats, window or middle, assigned at discretion of the crew. Please note, on a Bell 206 Jet Ranger there is reduced headroom associated with the middle seat owing to aircraft design.

Is there an age limit? 

Shared Helicopter Flights – 6 years to 16 years (accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket). There is no maximum age limit.

Private Helicopter Flights - 2 years (accompanied). There is no maximum age limit.

Is there a maximum height?

The maximum height is 6ft 6 for helicopter rides.

Can I fly whilst pregnant? 

We are happy to fly pregnant passengers however we cannot give medical advice, please consult your doctor if you have any concerns at all before taking your flight.

Photos (not applicable for Private flights)

A photographer is present at every flight and customers can have their photos taken outside and inside of the helicopter. The framed photos will be available to purchase after the flight for £15.