Helicopter Charters
Do you want to arrive at an event in style in a helicopter? To help you on your way, here are some handy tips to guide you through chartering your private helicopter.
Flying to any of Helipad-managed event will save you time. You can avoid the traffic and queues so often experienced during popular events.
When you charter a flight, you are the VIP! You will find that the pilot will do all they can for you to take in your favourite places or capture the ultimate aerial photoshoot.
Helicopters can take transport you from most airports, heliports or events or, if suitable, even from your own garden!
How Do I Book?
You can call a helicopter charter operator direct and get a quote. You can also make an enquiry on Helipad’s website and we will relay your request to a broker who will guide you through the process.
- The dates and times you want to travel.
- Where you want to depart from and go to. They will be able to recommend a range of options convenient to you.
- The number of passengers travelling and their approximate weights
- Do you have any preference on the type of helicopter you want to charter or any other special requests? They will want you to enjoy your flight!
Generally, it pays to choose an operator close to your departure point as they will have to fly less time empty to the start of the journey (known as positioning). This will reduce the cost of your flight.
It is quite common for helicopters to land in fields, hotels or private homes if space permits and it is not in a built-up area.
What type of Aircraft?
There are many types of helicopters available, so in some ways it is a bit like choosing a car. However, while cars age quickly, the age of the helicopters is almost irrelevant due to the very strict maintenance regime enforced in most countries.
Single or Twin Engine?
Twin engine helicopters offer an extra safety margin and are allowed to operate in worse weather or at night. But don’t rule out single engine aircraft: modern aircraft are incredibly reliable and safe. Using a single engine aircraft uses less fuel and can significantly reduce the cost of your flight. It is still safer than driving.
How Many Passengers?
Most commercial helicopters in the UK carry 3-6 passengers. The largest can carry up to 16 passengers at a time.
It is worth noting that, the bigger the aircraft, the more expensive they are to fly or charter. A good helicopter charter company will be able to advise you on which aircraft will best suit you.
How fast and how far can it go?
Commercial helicopters travel between 120-180mph depending on the model.
On average, helicopters can travel at speeds ranging from 100 to 150 miles per hour (160 to 241 kilometers per hour).
Most flights around the UK will take between 40 and 90 minutes. To fly from London to reach the edges of Scotland or Ireland will take around 2 hours.
The beauty of flying in helicopters is that it flies in a straight line and there aren’t any traffic jams in the sky, so it makes travel super-fast.
Most helicopters will have a range of 300-400 miles without refuelling, subject to the total weight of the passengers and the cargo.
How Safe is it?
- Compliance: All operators must comply with strict standards, including the necessary Air Operators Certificate, licenses, and insurance. Ask any operator quoting for their AOC Certificate number, this shows they have adhered to the laws and regulations of operating helicopters professionally.
- Pilot Training: Commercial pilots undergo rigorous training, testing, and regular medical checks to ensure your safety. A professional pilot will have completed years of study and training to qualify and then undergone regular tests throughout their career.
- Maintenance: Before every take-off, thorough pre-flight checks are conducted, with more intensive inspections scheduled every 50 flight hours. One of the biggest costs of operating a helicopter is the maintenance, with every part being inspected on a constant and comprehensive basis.
- Can a helicopter glide? Yes they can. In fact it is one of the manoeuvres pilots will practice frequently. On the very rare occasions that there is a problem, a helicopter can even glide (autorotate) backwards to safe landing if it needs to.
It always pays to ask your
helicopter charter operator to find the best options to meet your needs.
Is it Green?
We’re proud of the steps we’ve taken to improve our green credentials. Many helicopters now use bio-kerosene, a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that can cut CO2 emissions by up to 80% over its entire lifecycle. While helicopters are not entirely eco-friendly due to emissions and noise pollution, advancements in fuel efficiency are making a difference.
At Helipad, we do our best to improve our green metrics:- We reduce the hold times to minimise the amount of time helicopters spend idling.
- Our ground crew help passengers disembark quickly and safely, even while the rotors are still running.
- We help helicopter operators avoid extra flight time by providing fuel on-site and on off-site locations.
Talk to the Specialists
Helipad has worked with the UK helicopter industry for over 40 years, operating heliports at major events. The team consists of experienced commercial pilots, air traffic operators, ground and terminal crew.
If you have any other questions on helicopter or jet hire, call our sponsors at Air Charter Services: they are specialists in helicopter and jet hire and are available 24/7 to help with your enquiries.