Hovering in a helicopter for the first time is a unique and thrilling sensation. You get hands-on experience of the only flying machine that goes backwards and sideways as well as forwards. You will be trained by a CAA qualified instructor and your helicopter flying lessons count towards a helicopter pilot’s licence.

If you don’t fancy taking the controls yourself, your discovery vouchers can also be used for scenic helicopter rides over London.

What happens on the day

Your helicopter flying lessons start with a briefing from your instructor before the flight. This will cover safety, and an introduction to some of the controls. Once in the helicopter, your helicopter flying lesson starts from the time the engine turns over. You will be given headphones so that you can hear conversations between your instructor and air traffic control, and so that you can talk with your instructor. Once in the air, you will be able to take the controls but your pilot will generally undertake the take-off and landing.

Need to know

• Minimum age 12 (under 18’s need parental/guardian consent)
• Minimum height 4’10” (147cms)
• Maximum height 6’4” (193cm).
• Maximum weight 17 stone (108kgs)
• You should be in reasonable health and agile enough to climb into the aircraft
• The helicopter flying lesson experience content, equipment used and restrictions may vary according to venue

Locations

• Avon - Bristol
• Bedfordshire - Cranfield
• Buckinghamshire - Marlow
• Cambridgeshire - Conington
• Cumbria - Carlisle *
• Gloucestershire - Cheltenham
• Hampshire - Andover
• Kent - Chatham, Headcorn
• Lancashire - Blackpool
• Leicestershire - Loughborough
• Merseyside - Liverpool
• Middlesex - Uxbridge
• Norfolk - Norwich *
• Northamptonshire - Sywell *
• Scotland - Aberdeen
• Staffordshire - Burton on Trent
• Surrey - Camberley
• Sussex - Shoreham *
• Tyne & Wear - Newcastle
• Wales - Powys, Swansea
• Warwickshire - Wellesbourne
• Yorkshire - Leeds *, Sheffield

(* Explorer package not available)