Helicopter 'experience' days - has anyone done one?

[akr]

Hello all

It's my wife's 40th birthday this October. She's never been in a helicopter before and I'd like to treat to her with a helicopter ride for her birthday.

Has anyone ever done in or around London, or just done one generally. It would appear to the the choice between a flight over London \ somewhere scenic or a 1 hour flying lesson. Has anyone done either \ who did you use?

Thanks in advance!

Al

 

[viv1969]

I've been in helicopters in the Middle East for work; not exactly for scenic tours though, and I had 5 flying lessons for my 30th Birthday.
Flying in a Helicopter didn't fill me with the warm fuzzies, but the flying lessons are something I will never forget.

 

[dinners]

Went on one years ago - more of a joy ride than anything.

The Gyrocopter things look good too.

http://www.gyrocopterexperience.com/grin-gallery/bd/gringallery/grin

 

[feek]

Went on one over London a few years ago, expensive , but well worth the money. After living in London for a few years , it gave a real sense of scale and perspective.

 

[ACW]

I took a (relatively short) helicopter flight up / down / around the Las Vegas strip.

It was my first helicopter experience and I loved it. I wouldn't hesitate to do one again.

Being slower and lower I think you get more time to take it all in. I imagine being over London in a helicopter would be pretty amazing.

 

[Byker28i]

Head down towards Dover and you can fly in a helicopter with a spitfire for company.

 

[CaveDweller]

I've been a passenger in helicopters many times and it never gets old. I haven't been on any experience days in the UK though but I have sat in the front and hanging out the side whilst flying. I may not have had a go of flying the thing but it was still memorable. I get the pleasure of it every year when me and my friends organise our heli skiing trip to Alaska.

 

[akr]

I've been in helicopters in the Middle East for work; not exactly for scenic tours though, and I had 5 flying lessons for my 30th Birthday.
Flying in a Helicopter didn't fill me with the warm fuzzies, but the flying lessons are something I will never forget.

Thanks Ruth - do you think a flying lesson would be better than a scenic tour (appreciate you didn't do the tours)?

 

[viv1969]

Thanks Ruth - do you think a flying lesson would be better than a scenic tour (appreciate you didn't do the tours)?

Absolutely. She'll want more though

 

[akr]

Went on one years ago - more of a joy ride than anything.

The Gyrocopter things look good too.

http://www.gyrocopterexperience.com/grin-gallery/bd/gringallery/grin

Thanks Phil - that Gyrocopter looks pretty open - have you forgotten about ladies hair getting all messed up! It does look interesting, reminds me a bit of those Microlights - been on one of those, was great but did not feel overly robust!

Went on one over London a few years ago, expensive , but well worth the money. After living in London for a few years , it gave a real sense of scale and perspective.

Thanks - good to hear as the most likely option I think and we're both Londoners.

I took a (relatively short) helicopter flight up / down / around the Las Vegas strip.

It was my first helicopter experience and I loved it. I wouldn't hesitate to do one again.

Being slower and lower I think you get more time to take it all in. I imagine being over London in a helicopter would be pretty amazing.

Thanks - have been to Vegas for work a few times and regret not doing a helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon.

Head down towards Dover and you can fly in a helicopter with a spitfire for company.

Sadly just too far as need babysitters for the little ones and one still small to wife won't to be away for too long. Maybe next year for my 40th!

I've been a passenger in helicopters many times and it never gets old. I haven't been on any experience days in the UK though but I have sat in the front and hanging out the side whilst flying. I may not have had a go of flying the thing but it was still memorable. I get the pleasure of it every year when me and my friends organise our heli skiing trip to Alaska.

'Hanging out the side'. If it suggest she'll think I'm trying to finish her off! Sounds great - I've only been in one once in New Zealand when they dropped off by helicopter to the start of a rafting point - pilot was excellent and was only a 5 minute ride - absolutely loved it.

 

[akr]

Absolutely. She'll want more though

If only you'd left it at absolutely!

 

[LASTOLITE]

Been in a heli a few times - I am looking at a glider experience for next year, I think that would be more exhilarating as a gift........imho

Cheaper too - and within reach for more lessons

 

[akr]

Been in a heli a few times - I am looking at a glider experience for next year, I think that would be more exhilarating as a gift........imho

Cheaper too - and within reach for more lessons

Thanks - she's mentioned she wants to go in a helicopter a few times so I'm not going to risk it for this birthday - something to look at another time though.

 

[CaveDweller]

Been in a heli a few times - I am looking at a glider experience for next year, I think that would be more exhilarating as a gift........imho

Cheaper too - and within reach for more lessons

There's a private gliding club about 10minutes drive from me but I've never been. Always wanted to try it though.

 

[Nod]

Thanks - she's mentioned she wants to go in a helicopter a few times so I'm not going to risk it for this birthday - something to look at another time though.

Has she said anything about flying lessons as well? Personally, I would enjoy both but I think I would rather have a trial flying lesson than a single helicopter ride (too many things to balance when flying a helicopter for me to consider that option!).

 

[seriousrikk]

There's a private gliding club about 10minutes drive from me but I've never been. Always wanted to try it though.

Give it a go, it's awesome.
I learned to fly gliders a good many years ago, our local club used a winch for launching which was truly exhilarating... never got bored of that! Getting towed up is more common now, but being winched like a kite up to between 700 and 1200 feet is something else.

 

[CaveDweller]

Give it a go, it's awesome.
I learned to fly gliders a good many years ago, our local club used a winch for launching which was truly exhilarating... never got bored of that! Getting towed up is more common now, but being winched like a kite up to between 700 and 1200 feet is something else.

I was having flying lessons in a Cessna 152 to get my private pilots licence a few years ago but I had a bad accident and wasn't able to continue (nothing to do with flying). I don't have the money any more to carry on the lessons so I might pop down to the club one day and see how much they would charge to take me out. They are a private club but they know me well so hopefully I can blag myself in. They tow the planes up at that club. They do have a winch which consists of a lorry cab at one end of the field with the tyres off but never seen them use it.