What to Expect on a Helicopter Pleasure Flight for Two

• Discover what to expect from a helicopter pleasure flight for two, from take-off to landing
• Compare 18 mile and 25 mile helicopter flights, including views, flight times and what's included
• Find out how to choose dates, locations and book your next UK helicopter sightseeing experience

There is something rather brilliant about seeing somewhere you know from the air. Roads suddenly look tiny, landmarks become much easier to spot and the whole landscape seems to make considerably more sense. This is exactly where Helicopter Rides come into their own, giving two people the chance to swap the traffic jams and roundabouts for a bird's-eye view.

A helicopter pleasure flight is not about throwing you into the cockpit and asking you to remember which button makes it go up. It is a relaxed sightseeing experience, with a qualified pilot doing the important bits while you sit back, look out of the window and enjoy the scenery.

So, What Actually Happens?

Your experience begins at the chosen venue, where you will receive a welcome, introduction and safety briefing before heading towards the helicopter. Depending on the location, flights are generally operated in either a Bell Jet Ranger or, occasionally, a Bell Long Ranger.

Then comes the good bit. You climb aboard, get comfortable and prepare for take-off. Unlike an aeroplane, there is no need for a long runway disappearing into the distance. The helicopter lifts away from the ground and, rather wonderfully, you are suddenly looking at everything from above.

Once airborne, the pilot can provide information through your headset about the landscape, local landmarks, architecture, history and areas of interest. So while you are busy taking photographs and trying not to say, "Oh, that's smaller than I thought", you are also learning a bit about what is below.

Expect Some Rather Good Views

The main attraction is, naturally, the view. From up in the helicopter, familiar places can look completely different, whether you are exploring somewhere you have lived for years or visiting an area for the first time.

The routes vary depending on your chosen location, but the experiences are designed around sightseeing. You will have plenty of opportunities to look out across the landscape and spot local landmarks from a rather more impressive vantage point than the pavement.

And yes, you are absolutely encouraged to bring a camera. There are plenty of photo opportunities, so you may want to make sure your phone is charged before arriving. It would be unfortunate to spend the whole flight staring at a beautiful view through a camera that has decided to give up.

The 18 Mile Pleasure Flight for Two

The Nationwide 18 Mile Pleasure Flight for Two is a great introduction to seeing the UK from the skies. The flight itself covers 18 miles and lasts approximately 10 minutes, with take-off available from a wide selection of locations around the country.

The experience includes the welcome and safety briefing, the sightseeing flight, views of local landmarks and plenty of opportunities for photographs. You will usually fly as part of a group of between four and six people, depending on the location.

It is particularly suited to couples, friends or family members who fancy doing something a little different together. You could use it to explore somewhere familiar from a completely new angle, or make it part of a day out somewhere you have never visited before.

You should allow around one to one and a half hours at the venue altogether, rather than simply turning up, flying off and being home before you've finished your cup of tea.

Or Go Further with 25 Miles

If 18 miles sounds good but you are thinking, "Yes, but can we have a little more of that helicopter business?", there is the Nationwide 25 Mile Pleasure Flight For Two.

This flight covers 25 miles and lasts approximately 15 minutes, giving you an extra five minutes in the air to take in the scenery. It is also generally operated in a Bell Jet Ranger, with Bell Long Ranger helicopters occasionally used depending on the location.

As with the shorter flight, you will receive a welcome and safety briefing before taking off. Once airborne, the pilot can point out local landmarks, interesting areas and even geological features as you take in the view from around 1,000 feet.

The extra distance makes this a particularly appealing option if you want a little longer to enjoy the scenery. After all, once you are up there, nobody is going to complain about having another five minutes of helicopter flight action.

Is It Just for Couples?

Not at all. The fact that these experiences are for two simply means you have someone alongside you to enjoy it with.

They can make memorable birthday presents, anniversary treats or a slightly more unusual way to celebrate a milestone. They can also be a brilliant excuse to take someone on an adventure when you have run out of ideas for what to buy.

You do not need to be an aviation expert either. You are there to enjoy the flight, take in the views and perhaps discover that the place you thought you knew actually looks rather different from above.

What Should You Expect on the Day?

The important thing is to arrive prepared for a proper flying experience rather than expecting a quick five-minute spin. Both flights include the initial welcome and safety briefing, and you should allow around one to one and a half hours at the venue.

Flights generally take place at least one weekend day per month, with some weekday availability between April and October. Exact dates and flight times depend on the venue and, naturally, the weather.

There are also some practical restrictions to be aware of. The minimum age is six, with under 12s needing to be accompanied by a participating adult. There are maximum height and weight restrictions, so it is worth checking these before booking.

Finding a Date That Works

With venues available across the UK, the tricky part may not be deciding whether you want to fly. It might be deciding where and when.

The Helicopter Rides Calendar makes this considerably easier, allowing you to browse available dates and filter by region or venue. That means you can find a flight taking place somewhere convenient rather than planning your entire life around one helicopter.

Once you have found a suitable date and location, you can book onto the flight. Alternatively, the experiences are available as flexible vouchers, allowing the recipient to redeem their voucher and choose a suitable date later.

Is a Helicopter Pleasure Flight Worth It?

If you like the idea of seeing familiar places from a completely different perspective, absolutely. There is something wonderfully simple about the concept: arrive at an airfield, climb into a helicopter, lift off and spend the next few minutes watching the world shrink beneath you.

The 18 mile flight offers around 10 minutes in the air, while the 25 mile option stretches that to approximately 15 minutes. Both give you the chance to enjoy local scenery, listen to commentary from the pilot and take plenty of photographs.

It is sightseeing, but with considerably more altitude and far fewer people walking into the back of you.

For two people looking to share something memorable, a helicopter pleasure flight is an easy way to turn an ordinary day into something rather more exciting. And once you have seen the world from above, you may find that looking at it from ground level feels a little bit boring.