Frequently Asked Questions

Please arrive at least 20 minutes before your flight is due to depart.

Helicopters are subject to weather but they aren’t just for sunny days. Their ability to operate in adverse weather depends on several factors, including the severity of the conditions and the type of aircraft. For example, twin-engine helicopters are equipped with advanced navigation systems which can better handle challenging weather situations. Our team will keep you informed of the weather in the days leading up to, and on the day of, your flight.

This depends on the type of helicopter and the number of passengers flying. As a rule of thumb, we advise one 10kg soft-sided bag per person. This can be increased if, for example, you have a six-passenger helicopter with only one passenger.

The most popular helicopter to charter in the UK is an AW109 twin-engine helicopter which can accommodate up to six passengers or the AS355 twin-engine helicopter which can accommodate five passengers.

HELICOPTER SAFETY ZONES

• Do not approach the helicopter until approval is given by the crew and the rotor blades have come to a complete stop.
• Do not approach a helicopter from the front or tail (as shown on the diagram above).
• Passengers should only enter or leave the cabin once the captain has given their go-ahead do not open the exit doors (except in the case of an emergency) unless given approval by the crew.
• Rotors running embarking/disembarking will only take place if passengers have received a full brief and there are authorised personnel on hand to assist. Otherwise, all embarkation/disembarkation will be conducted with the aircraft shut down.

Landing Site Safety:

• Helicopters produce large amounts of downdraught and can potentially kick up dust, both of which can cause injury.
• Stay well away from the landing area until the aircraft has landed and shut down or departed the site.
• Ensure the area remains clear for at least 10 minutes after departure in case the helicopter needs to return.
• If approaching the helicopter in a vehicle (especially high sided vans or 4x4s) please wait for crew approval before proceeding and keep at least 2m clear of the rotor disk to prevent damage to the blades/vehicle.