Introductory Helicopter Lesson
Overview
Hovering in a helicopter for the first time is a unique and thrilling sensation that everyone should experience. Climb aboard and reach for the sky in this magnificent piece of machinery. Your flying lesson will enable you to gain hands-on experience of the only aircraft that goes backwards and sideways as well as forwards. You will be guided by a Civil Aviation Authority qualified instructor throughout.
- SKU
- PHELCI
- Locations
- 12 in the UK
- People
- For 1
- Validity
- 12 Months
- Rating
- 5.0 (80)
What's Included
- One-to-one training from a CAA licensed instructor in a two-seater aircraft
- Introductory briefing on helicopter controls and safety
- One flight of 20 to 25 minutes in a 2-seater helicopter during which the student takes the controls
- Experience gift pack including personalised voucher and message card
What happens on the day?
Your flying lesson will start with a briefing from your instructor before the flight of approximately 20 to 25 minutes. This will cover safety, and an introduction to some of the controls. Then it’s off to the helicopter to climb aboard and strap in. 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.
Participant guidelines
- Minimum age: 14
- Minimum height: 5ft
- Maximum height: 6ft 2in
- Maximum weight: 14 to 18 stone (depending on location and helicopter)
- The above are only guidelines and may differ by location. Please check at the time of booking
- You should not take part if you suffer from epilepsy, vertigo or are pregnant
- Spectators are welcome to wait at the airfield while you take your flight
- The experience content, equipment used and restrictions may vary according to location
Availability
Helicopter flying lessons take place all year round and are normally available on any day of the week depending on location.
We recommend you book at least four weeks in advance to ensure that dates are available before the expiry date listed on the voucher. All bookings are subject to availability.
You should allow approximately 1 hour for the whole experience. The flight, from taxi to landing, will last approximately 20 to 25 minutes, depending on location.
What about insurance?
The centres contracted with us hold public liability insurance. We also hold contingency liability cover. You will not be liable for accidental damage to equipment, except where damage has been caused as a result of recklessness or wilful negligence.
Please ensure you are familiar with the terms and conditions of the experience.
How it works
Customer Reviews
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Andrew
21/09/2021
Outstanding
Outstanding experiance supplied by Tiger helicopters. Instructor is patient and a pleasure to be with. Friendly extremely accommodating.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Stephen Helm
08/09/2021
Helicopter Dream Fulfilled!
I wish I did this years ago! What a fantastic experience at Helicentre in Manchester. The staff were really friendly, yet professional. I used this as a trial lesson and was put at ease by the instructor Michael. I am seriously considering taking further lessons.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Adam O’Donnell
29/08/2021
Loads of fun
Really fun day and a proper lesson , learned loads about how to fly a helicopter and was given the control right after take off !
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Jiten patel
14/09/2020
Nice experience
Very friendly staff and very well explained instructions to perform the tasks. Well done. Will do again
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Ted Rooney
07/09/2020
V.Good Helicopter Lesson
Thurston Helicopters at Headcorn Aerodrome, Kent were excellent. Phil was my instructor and he was very good and calm. Explained everything thoroughly.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Pete
20/02/2020
Exhilarating & nerve wracking in one go!
Excellent day. Phil was so good, very calm and encouraging, and such beautiful views over Leeds Castle
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Giles
13/11/2019
Introductory Helicopter Lesson
An amazing experience and Matt (the instructor) made me feel very much at ease throughout
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Fiona
21/09/2019
Amazing experience!!
Amazing experience, it was a birthday present from my kids. Very well run, all questions answered from the office to the instructor. Would definitely recommend!
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Robert goring
02/09/2019
Heli lesson
An excellent experience that made me want to start lessons, there goes a mortgage!!! It was carried out very well by Heli Air and the instructor was brilliant!!!
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
JamesH
01/09/2019
Great Expierience
Phil and Thurston Helis gave me a fantastic Experience. Phil was so calm and informative that it made me feel totally at ease - right up to the point where I took over! Then the nerves came in but Phil was there to correct the mad gyrations of the helicopter with a gentle word or pressure on the stick. Totally safe, totally in control, an excellent experience for my first time piloting a chopper. Would I be tempted to progress from this - hell yes! Thanks again Phil :)
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Adrian
30/08/2019
Pure adrenaline
Rob the pilot was spot on very good lesson very patient. Strongly recommend.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
Find out what others have to say about this experience
5
Grant
04/08/2019
Fantastic day
Enjoyed a helicopter flying experience. Duncan the pilot was great, spending time explaining the day, answering questions and making it a really fantastic day.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Richard Victor
24/06/2019
Helicopter Introduction Flight
Lucky to have perfeect weather at Headcorn in Kent with Thurston Helicopters to fly Rbinson R22 Beta. Phil my pilot was excellent throughout training and flying. He listens as well as encourages. We flew over two castles and then completed hovering maneuvers back at the aerodrome. We also saw tandem parachute jumpers and the Spitfire flying circuits. Great day out.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Michael Hartley
02/06/2019
Awsome experience
Had a fantastic time. Pilot Michael Moylan was really easy to talk to and explained everything. I didn't feel like yet another punter on a conveyor belt of wannabes. Highly recommended. Fab experience. Saving up for the Squirrel.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Deniss
25/05/2019
Absolutely amazing!
Was my first helicopter experience ever. Just loved it! Feels amazing! Thank you Virgin!
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Marco
21/05/2019
Fantastic experience
I've never been on an Helicopter but this experience was great! There's lots to learn but they are friendly, clear and patient. Very happy with the fly too as it goes over Leeds Castle in Kent.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Steve
19/05/2019
Brilliant experience
Really enjoyed this experience. The teacher was excellent. Just wish I could afford to get a proper licence
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Barry
22/04/2019
Great experience, brilliant!
Very good instructor, made you feel calm & relaxed. The views over Leeds Castle were amazing. Really enjoyed this birthday gift. Brilliant!
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Jonathan
21/04/2019
Amazing!
A throughly enjoyable experience and superb value for money. The pilot was excellent and skillfully guided me through each different manoeuvre. Piloting a helicopter really is like no other flying experience and I think I'm hooked! Highly recommended.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
Find out what others have to say about this experience
5
Sue Foulds
19/04/2019
Great Helicopter flying lesson
I really enjoyed my lesson. Great instructor who explained things very clearly and maximised the amount of "hands on" time I had at the controls. Unfortunately time in the air was all too short, and unfortunately visibility for my flight was quite poor, so identifying the horizon was challenging at times - but an amazing experience for all that!
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
Find out what others have to say about this experience
5
Jay
17/04/2019
What a day!
I flew a helicopter with Virgin Experiences and it was amazing! All the staff were really kind and made everything as easy and straight forward as possible. The flight itself was incredible with the pilot teaching me lots of skills with the helicopter. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Daren
12/04/2019
helicopter flying
simple to book, short wait. Polite, friendly and very knowledgeable trainers. Absolutely the best day ever! thanks to all!
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Rachel
06/03/2019
Awesome!
Joe the pilot was the absolute nicest guy. Really put me at ease. Was simply the best experience. I loved it.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Keith Standish
03/03/2019
Awsome
Absolutely loved it, putting house up for sale.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Chris Brittin
07/01/2019
A day to remember!
Whether you’re looking just for a bit of fun or wanting to see if it’s something you want to pursue, this is definitely the one for you! Excellent customer service, very polite and extremely professional. I flew out of Cambridge Airport, had fantastic views and then even got the chance to try a bit of hovering too. Excellent instructor, very helpful and knowledgeable. Would recommend to anyone!
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
James Queay
31/10/2018
Great experience
Great pilot great fun
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Clint
29/10/2018
Amazing experience
Brilliant experience, Lovely friendly staff. Great that you actually get to have a go at flying a helicopter, tricky stuff! Hat's off to the instructor. Cheers
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Mark
11/10/2018
Great stuff!
Really really great day, not enough that was a bucket list thing to have done, (piloted a helicopter), but the instructor Chris at Hell-Air in Marlow was really lovely. Obviously an enthusiast, and that enthusiasm was infectious. Took his time with me, make sure understood everything, asked me again and again if I had any questions, and was genuinely a lovely chap. Great stuff!
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Robert
21/09/2018
Top Quality Experience Day!
I really enjoyed my helicopter flying lesson. The instructor (Michael) was excellent , he made it seem much easier than I imagined it would be and most of I enjoyed it and can't wait to fly again! If your thinking of this experience then I would definitely recommend.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
Find out what others have to say about this experience
5
Simon
09/09/2018
Helicopter taster flight
Absolutely awesome from start to finish, highly recommended to everyone
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
DN
07/09/2018
Wow wow wow
Absolutely brilliant experience - excellent tuition - would do this again and again
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Chloe Staunton
21/08/2018
Amazing Day
This was such an amazing experience! I loved every second of it and was such a lovely present to receive! I would recommend to anyone.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Andy
20/08/2018
Helicopter intro lesson
Excellent. The helicopter company and instructor were perfect. If I had a stack of cash I would learn here . I will book with them independently again
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Alexander
20/08/2018
Amazing!
Was also keen on flying a helicopter. Doing this experience just made me want to do it more. The instructor was excellent. Definitely would recommend!
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
D
19/08/2018
Very memorable lesson, for the right reasons.
From making the call to the school and booking up to the end of a fantastic lesson it was just great. Wish I could afford to do this regularly. Will never forget the experience.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Rod
19/08/2018
Fantastic
This was a birthday present from my daughter. I've waited 60 years to fly in a helicopter and it was truly worth it. The instructor was highly professional and allayed any fears from the outset. I could not fault anything about this experience and would highly recommend it to anyone. What a day! I'm still buzzing.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Andy
14/08/2018
Amazing experience!
Highly recommend this experience. I was bought this for my birthday and was not disappointed!
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Chris Bill
13/08/2018
Awesome experience!
Despite the weather looking ominous, it held off long enough for us to have a fantastic flight in the helicopter. The instructor gave an introduction to the controls then we were off. I got to try each set of controls, and had a great view of the local area. The Instructor was really helpful and patient. All in all it was a great day and a great experience!
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
Find out what others have to say about this experience
5
Richard Morgan
09/08/2018
Heli Air - Introductory Lesson
Great sunny morning so I thought the conditions were perfect. Then the instructor informs me that we wont be hovering for too long as the air temperature is high and heats up the engine quicker than normal. Just one of the lessons learned. If you have ever tried to fly one of those small toy helicopters in your lounge and place it on a beer mat then flying the real thing is 10 times more difficult but just as enjoyable. Great lesson from the instructor.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
HG
02/08/2018
Introductory Helicopter Lesson - brilliant!
I bought this for my husband's recent birthday. The booking process was very straightforward and the same, once at the airfield. The briefing from the pilot was (surprisingly) very brief, but my husband was given all the required guidance to be able to take control of the helicopter after a few minutes. He had an amazing experience and only wished that he could have had longer in the air!
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Gregory Turley
23/07/2018
A very exciting experience
Thanks for a fantastic experience and a very big thanks to my instructor Graham.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Sue
08/07/2018
Helicopter flying lesson
Flying a helicopter was one of the best things I’ve done for a long time. My instructor was very friendly and made me feel completely comfortable whilst flying even though it was a boiling hot day. I recommend this experience day to anyone who isn’t afraid of heights and wants to have a go at flying.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Damon
02/07/2018
Birthday Present
the flight and use of controls was an awesome feeling. It's all over too quickly but I would love to do it again and would recommend it to friends
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Julian
17/06/2018
Absolutely loved it
This experience was a present from my 3 children for my 6th birthday. I loved every minute of it
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Ghislain
17/06/2018
Very good experience
Such an amazing time
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Grant
29/05/2018
The greatest day of my life!
Absolutely brilliant! The instructor Michael was friendly, helpful and a really nice guy. My experience flying the helicopter was out of this world and I would recommend it to everyone.
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
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5
Paul
20/05/2018
Great experience
Absolutely brilliant experience from start to finish. My instructor (Alex) explained all of the controls, etc before we took to the sky. Nothing compares to hovering above the Cambridgeshire countryside in a helicopter!
out of 5 stars
Based on 80 reviews
Find out what others have to say about this experience
5
Marc
08/05/2018
One of the best things I’ve ever done
Had an amazing day. The instructor made me feel comfortable and explained everything that was going to happen before taking off and once in the air, handed over the controls to allow me to have a go at flying the helicopter.....fully guided of course, taking each control one at a time. Also got the chance to hover the helicopter before landing safely. I could not recommend this enough. I know want further lessons.
Locations
Locations shown shouldn't be used for route planning
West Midlands
- Wellesbourne, Warwickshire
- Coventry, Warwickshire
- Leominster, Herefordshire
South West
- Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
South East
- Marlow, Buckinghamshire
- Headcorn, Kent
East Midlands
- Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
- Sywell, Northamptonshire
- Loughborough, Nottinghamshire
North West
- Manchester, Greater Manchester
Wales
- Powys, Wales
North East
- Newcastle, Tyne & Wear