Interesting Hour Building Opportunity in North West England [Archive]

Okavango

28th Jan 2009, 17:27

Hi. Are there any hour builders out there in North West England? I'm getting married in March at Peckforton Castle and ideally would like to arrive in a helicopter. Happy to pay all fuel. Guess best to fly from Blackpool or Barton though happy with any other ideas. Please drop me a line if of interest. Cheers.

ShyTorque

28th Jan 2009, 18:35

Ah, yes the wedding. A scenario that all commercial pilots are wary of. Get someone with very little experience to do it on the cheap.... :oh:

helimutt

28th Jan 2009, 19:02

What? Carrying passengers, not for the purpose of an air test or maintenance? Hmmm. Let's see. Wouldn't that be classed as public transport and require an AOC etc?

I know a guy who just got chased by the CAA for something very similar, who was reported, and got fined. Maybe not such a good hour building idea after all.

But hey, it's done all of the time. best thing is, if it's proven it's commercial AOC work, and you crash, the insurance will probably be invalid. Just what you want on your wedding day....NOT. Pay the price for a proper service or don't do it on the cheap! Only my advice.

airborne_artist

28th Jan 2009, 19:07

And whatever you do, make sure you and the lovely wife leave by a towering take-off from a farmyard that nearly goes t!ts-up as the pilot transitions to level flight.

I think the video was pulled from YouTube, but the memory lingers on. Bet the happy couple had to change their underwear after that one..

206Fan

28th Jan 2009, 19:14

I think the video was pulled from YouTube, but the memory lingers on. Bet the happy couple had to change their underwear after that one..

O jasuss not that video again, i knew it would be mentioned again after time and i think its back on youtube actually!

Dave

JTobias

28th Jan 2009, 20:23

Before we get to rights and wrongs of the flying bit, maybe someone should chat with you about the marriage bit first

Only kidding, there's nothing wrong with the flying ;)

Joel

fisbangwollop

28th Jan 2009, 20:26

Two choppers on the same day may be too much for he bride!!!!:ok:

misterbonkers

28th Jan 2009, 20:31

so an hour builder undercuts an AOC holder - then seeks seeks employment...

If you dont have a friend with a helicopter that is willing to fly you to your wedding then do it properly and CHARTER one. If you cant afford to charter then please please dont shortcut the system - it ruins it for those trying to earn an honest buck.

EESDL

29th Jan 2009, 17:13

Bet you were not expecting that response?

Nothing wrong with hiring the chopper yourself but I'd guess you'd have to skip the toasts etc.

I was assuming that you had a licence - being on PPRUNE and all that......but then again, if you had a licence you wouldn't be asking such a crass question.

Standby for old adage:
If you can't afford to do it properly - then don't do it......same goes for motorsport, speedboat racing etc.

Genuine offer I'm sure but now I guess you know repercussions!

ShyTorque

29th Jan 2009, 19:11

Would someone wish to be driven in by a professional chauffeur in a nice wedding car but decide to cut costs by offering the job at a cheap rate (nil) to an inexperienced driver who has just passed his / her driving test and who is probably uninsured for such an event? I wouldn't.

Weddings can be fraught with the unexpected. Emotional and excited guests and relatives wanting to run in and meet the helicopter as soon as it touches down, unescorted little children running around, loose carpets, umbrellas and lightweight furniture outside, doors unexpectedly opening, allowing downwash to do its worst, you name it, it can and has happened, plus more besides.

choppertop

29th Jan 2009, 20:45

Weddings can be fraught with the unexpected. Emotional and excited guests and relatives wanting to run in and meet the helicopter as soon as it touches down, unescorted little children running around, loose carpets, umbrellas and lightweight furniture outside, doors unexpectedly opening, allowing downwash to do its worst, you name it, it can and has happened, plus more besides.

So stay safe. Live in sin.

Tarman

30th Jan 2009, 07:14

I'm sure that there was an incident near Marbella a couple of years ago when a PPL in a R44 done exactly what you are proposing and crashed. (I think there was 1 fatality) As if that's not bad enough the pilot had the book thrown at him and the insurance was void.
Do it right or not at all (and have a car on standby in case the weather isn't CAVOK)

Non-Driver

30th Jan 2009, 07:48

Nice blag try but as others more qualified than me have stated you could be falling foul of a reg or two....

Congrats on your location though, got married there meself a few years back and its a cracking location. One other thing that might kybosh it though (whether you're paying for the ride or not) was the local Fire Brigade impose limitations on scheduled events because of the remoteness - we weren't allowed to have fireworks for example. I know heli's go where others can't but the elf & safety police may read across limitations to heli landings. I settled for blagging a second TVR to accompany mine.

estepo

30th Jan 2009, 09:03

3 dead actually................

charliegolf

30th Jan 2009, 23:04

Shy,

You've sold me by the glamour your silver tonguery evokes. Ms Golf is to wed next year. Since you once worked for Aunty Betty, you'll be well aquainted with the concept of 'lowest bidder'.

So, what's your best (ie lowest) price. I can get sheep! (You didn't think I knew did you?)

CG:ok:

ShyTorque

31st Jan 2009, 09:13

So, what's your best (ie lowest) price. I can get sheep! (You didn't think I knew did you?)

Listen mate, don't "grass" me up; I only get them for my own use - you're a dealer!

Okavango

1st Feb 2009, 18:47

I do have a license - though I'm PPL(A). As long as it's not for hire or reward I don't see the problem - plenty of people with PPL's take friends who contribute toward some of the fuel costs so if it interests someone so much the better - everyone's a winner. Not really wanting to cut commercial jobs (?!?), just trying to help someone out. I do appreciate some of the issues raised though. Thanks to those who have pm'd - I'll get back to you. Cheers.

Torquetalk

1st Feb 2009, 21:24

Okavango

Give due weight to the good advice given...

A wedding is NOT a job for an hour-builder

TT

SH_Mate

3rd Mar 2009, 11:07

In theory you are absolutely right and many have done it. Flown with a mate with a PPL and contributed towards the cost........from an airfield to another airfield. Not from the middle of a party. This is not about taking money from a commercial op - even though they do need all the help they can get just now. It is all about being sensible, looking at the risk and deciding if you can justify it.

Look at the you tube farmyard clip (look how close it was to disaster - the helo was out of control and reliant on luck for a good few moments) and ask yourself...If it all went horribly wrong and we hit something or someone how would I feel if I had caused the death or maiming of my wife, family, grandparents or kids on the ground etc if it all goes wrong.

Look at the experience on this site and listen to the advice. Weddings are fraught with hidden dangers well beyond the imagination, let alone the experience, of the average hour builder/PPL.

Good Luck with the wedding
:ugh:

DBChopper

3rd Mar 2009, 12:22

A wedding is NOT a job for an hour-builder

I have to agree. As an hour-builder myself I was offered such an opportunity only a couple of months ago. A friend of a friend is getting married in the summer and wanted him and the Best Man to be flown in by helicopter. My friend, knowing I fly helicopters, asked me if I'd like to do it.

Now, I will admit I was tempted, for about thirty seconds. Then I thought about it. It would have been a genuine cost-share and I would have paid my third of the cost, and I'd have planned the trip carefully and executed it safely. But something just didn't feel right, and it was that little voice in the back of my mind that made me say, "Sorry guys, thanks for the offer but that is really a commercial job, and outside my experience." I recommended the company I SFH and train with, and they have subsequently booked with them, so everyone is happy.

I really think when PPLs get into the realms of playing at CPLs, there is danger lurking around the corner...

VfrpilotPB/2

3rd Mar 2009, 14:43

It takes an awful lot of hours builing to get the marriage right, some manage to reach the stars,:D.... but many crash and burn!:ok:

Dont cut corners get a squadron of R22s, arrive in real style!!:cool:

Peter R-B

ShyTorque

3rd Mar 2009, 16:52

Further safety considerations: The only LS at this location is not very big, it sits on a pinnacle surrounded by a 20 foot wall and tall buildings. Inside the enclosed landing area there is a bird of prey aviary. Outside that it's surrounded by a mature wood with no gaps, the nearest open area adjacent is 230 metres away so running out of power on short finals would be interesting to say the least. Although we had full class A performance, we looked at this one and decided it was safer to land elsewhere and got our pax driven in, especially on a wedding day.

BTW, Peckforton Castle charge £175 landing fee. :oh:

Fields Farm

3rd Mar 2009, 18:48

So, I guess the wedding and all the bits and pieces must be costing maybe £50k, how much will it cost to fly in and out at a commercial rate in a decent helicopter, fully insured with a pro-pilot - say a 22 with the bride strapped to the skids on the way out (we're trying to save money here aren't we?)? Also, remember we are saving on at least one posh wedding car so we can offset that cost. Lets help out here?

Flintstone

3rd Mar 2009, 18:57

There was me thinking that all you rotary fans were the unbalanced ones yet here in this thread it's the fixed-wing pilot not seeing the risks.

Actually, I still think you're all bonkers ;)

MartinCh

3rd Mar 2009, 23:50

say a 22 with the bride strapped to the skids on the way out (we're trying to save money here aren't we?)?
Cross-sectional area wouldn't be good for aerodynamic cleanliness, not to mention W&B, unless she's tied to rope a la undersling. I'd hire at least pro winchman/loader for securing 'cargo' in hover. :p

I've seen that vid from the wedding, the guy looking like practising stuck pedal right next to building and pulling collective for some reason, going straight up.:ugh: There's pretty long thread on this topic around here.

it's the fixed-wing pilot not seeing the risks.
He was more about the legality of it (but then the PPL pilot would have to contribute to the cost anyway, not to mention cost-sharing is allowed for friends and family, NOT advertised 'jobs' - doh, the synonym for work, there the CPL goes in picture again). As FW pilot he's excused regarding the safety, obstacles etc.
You don't get obstacles smack-bang in the middle of runway :eek:, all the limitations of performance etc.

lilybetty

22nd Jun 2009, 12:02

Hey

I know you'll prob hate me for posting this. but got to ask...

Would anyone with a helicopter be willing to help me out (can neg £)

I really want to surprise my sister on her hen night, shes going for the whole bond girl theme and i thought it would be fantastic if she could get a ride in a helicopter!

I know theres a place near traff centre that do trips, but what I want is this...

if she could get picked up somewhere near altrincham and taken into the city centre or on the middle of her night out get picked up in the city centre and get taken for quick look of manchester centre.

Can anyone help?!

Liz

Whirlygig

22nd Jun 2009, 12:42

Lilybetty, read some of the replies to this question

http://www.pprune.org/rotorheads/359876-interesting-hour-building-opportunity-north-west-england.html

and go to an AOC operator. :ok:

Cheers

Whirls

Whirls,

Thanks: you beat me to it! Threads merged,

Splot