Overview
Pleasure Flights are available for those simply wishing to experience the thrill of flying in a helicopter and the awesome viewpoint they offer. There are simply many options available - in fact helicopter use is only limited by the imagination of the user!
So if you have something in mind that is not listed then please contact us to discuss your requirements. We can fly you over your home to take some pictures, take you for lunch to a nice restaurant/hotel or simply fly you over stunning scenery.
Why not take an aerial tour of historic York and surrounding countryside.
We can take you on a tour of famous landmarks, your home town, or even fly your own route plan of favourite locations.
We specialise in arranging gift flights for friends & family or special occasions.
Book a trial flight for the thrilling experience of controlling a helicopter.
Explore the menu on the right for details and ideas, and then contact us to book your flight.
Trial Flights
Trial flying lessons are structured to give an insight into helicopter flying, and include a pre-flight briefing, discussing the effects of the controls with the instructor, and essential safety information.
The trials are extremely popular for enthusiasts wishing to fulfil the ambition of helicopter flying, with “hands on” experience, as well as a necessary introduction for potential new students.
We do understand that the commitment and cost of obtaining a licence may not suit everyone, and our policy at Hields Aviation is one of non-aggressive sales, we merely wish our clients to have a rewarding and enjoyable experience whilst with us!
We can arrange trial flights of any length but typically flights would be in multiples of 30 minutes. Please note that the start-up and shut-down of the helicopter takes approximately 6 minutes, the rest of the time will be airborne, with real hands-on experience – you will be flying the helicopter.
To experience the thrills of helicopter flying, we highly recommend a trial flight. The flying lessons are available from Sherburn (near Leeds and York) and Hawarden Airport (Chester).
Contact us to book your trial lesson.
If the weather is not suitable we can easily re-arrange it for another day.
Wedding Hire
To add the finishing touch to your very special day we can:
- Fly the bride and father to the wedding ceremony
- Deliver the groom and best man in style
- Aerial Photography of the wedding party
- Romantically fly the married couple to their reception
- Or even whisk them away on honeymoon!
In addition to the above we can offer many other services or consider your own ideas.
Each charter is individually priced according to the flight time required. Normally the minimum 1 hour charter is more than sufficient for most weddings and for some weddings we have done the cost of the helicopter was less than the quote for a horse drawn carriage!
Pleasure Flights
Pleasure Flights are available for those simply wishing to experience the thrill of flying in a helicopter and the awesome viewpoint they offer. There are simply many options available - in fact helicopter use is only limited by the imagination of the user!
So if you have something in mind that is not listed then please contact us to discuss your requirements. We can fly you over your home to take some pictures, take you for lunch to a nice restaurant or hotel or simply fly you over stunning scenery such as the East Coast or Yorkshire Dales.
- Robinson R22 helicopter - pilot and 1 passenger
- Robinson R44 helicopter - pilot and 3 passengers
- Jetranger helicopter - pilot and 4 passengers
- Longranger helicopter - pilot and 6 passengers
Gift Flights
Arrange that extra special surprise gift for friends, family and loved ones.
We can supply a gift voucher for any type of flight that can be redeemed within 1 year of purchase. So if the weather is not suitable we can easily re-arrange the flight for another day.
We can also arrange flights in historic aircraft such as the Hiller UH12, using the actual helicopter that was used in the James Bond film “Goldfinger”.
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FAQs
Are there any age limits?
There’s no upper age limit and as long as you are reasonably fit & well. Flight training can begin at 14 years old but solo flights cannot be undertaken before the age of 16 years. You need to be 17 years old to gain a pilot’s licence.
Are there any height or weight limits?
As long as you can reach the pedals if you flight training then height isn’t a big problem. Ideally in the Robinson R22 you will probably need to be under 6’4” (1.9m) and no heavier than 17 stone (108kg). The Robinson R44 can accommodate taller and heavier persons but no heavier than 21 stone (134kg) per seat. For the 4 seat Robinson R44 helicopter the average weight per person for 3 passengers and pilot would be about 14 stone (about 200kg).
Is it safe?
Our instructors and commercial pilots are trained to CAA standards, and are fully CAA licenced & approved. They undergo annual safety checks and medicals for fitness to fly as well as having many 100’s, and often 1000’s of hours experience. Our AOC licence from the CAA commits us to very stringent safe working methods of operation and our aircraft undergo regular compulsory safety checks and maintenance. The maintenance has to be done at an approved maintenance organisation. Should an engine failure happen then pilots are trained to glide the aircraft to a safe landing called an auto-rotation. So you can see we take safety very seriously, ensuring that pilots and aircraft are fit for purpose. Sherburn Airfield is a CAA licenced airfield; pilot training must be undertaken from a licenced airfield.
How many hours does it take to get a pilot’s licence?
The CAA minimum is 45 hours. The UK average is about 65 hours however at Hields Aviation the typical time taken to obtain your licence is about 55 hours.
Exams worry me, are they difficult?
All the written subjects use multi-choice tests where the pass mark is 75%. As long as you have read & understood the course books and completed sample questions then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t pass the tests first time. You can study for as long as you need to and then take a particular test. Our experienced instructors are always willing to assist your studying, and are happy to answer questions.
Do I need to pass a medical?
You only need to be reasonably fit and healthy to be a passenger. For obvious reasons a pilot needs to pass some basic medical checks. A Class 2 medical is required for a private pilots licence and a Class 1 medical is required for an instructor or commercial pilots licence. Certain conditions like epilepsy or anything causing blackouts would unfortunately bar you from becoming a pilot. However we can put you in contact with CAA approved doctors in your local area who can issue medical certificates. If in doubt then please consult your GP in the first instance for advice.
How long is my licence valid for?
Your pilots licence needs to be validated every year for each type of helicopter that you are rated on. You need to fly a minimum of 2 hours on each type per year. You need to keep your medical certificate current – the period between checks being dependent on your age and licence type.
How do I get started for a pilots licence?
The best way to experience helicopters is to book a trial lesson with us. We’ll brief you about the helicopter and you’ll experience the controls one by one to learn their effects. If you like the thrilling experience, and we are sure you will, then it’s just matter of booking lessons on the formal course and doing them as regularly as you wish.
How much does it cost?
The following are typical examples prices only and the final cost can be much cheaper depending on how much time you book.
| Robinson R22 flight | £230 per hour |
| Robinson R44 flight | £375 per hour |
| Robinson R22 self fly hire | £185 per hour |
| Robinson R44 self fly hire | £320 per hour |
| Bell 206B Jetranger self fly hire | £495 per hour |
| LPC check | £150 + aircraft time |
| G-OTVI Robinson TV helicopter | www.go-tv-eye.co.uk |
All prices are subject to VAT
Landing fees at some venues are chargeable
Can the helicopter land anywhere I want it to?
We can land almost anywhere, with some common sense and legal limitations. The CAA is most concerned about safety. They prohibit landing on any area where the landing would represent a "hazard" to persons or property on the ground. However, if you have the property owner's permission, the area is large enough and unobstructed, and has a clear approach, then we can land almost anywhere. Permission is usually required in writing and some venues, such as sporting events, require special permission.
How low can you fly?
It’s about what you are flying over really. Over people & property you should not be any lower than 500 feet. Over a major urban area the basic rule is no lower than 1000 feet but you may need to be higher as the guidance states you need to be able to glide safely to a suitable landing site if the engine fails. Below 500 feet and it’s more about the safety limitations of the aircraft for other than taking off or landing. We’ll explain all this is accordance with your flight.
Are young children allowed on pleasure flights?
Generally anyone can be a passenger on a pleasure flight. Young children should be accompanied by an adult.
Pleasure Flights
Air Operators
Certificate Number
GB2183
