Air experience flight Portsmouth area

[Capt Pit Bull]

Can anyone recommend a place for a rotary wing air experience flight as close as possible to the Portsmouth / Havant area?

I've googled a bit, but of course that gives adverts not recommendations, and I don't see anywhere particularly close. R/W is not my area of expertise and I have no connections in your world.

Its fairly urgent; bucket list / terminal illness is involved. The lady concerned is not expected to last more than a few weeks but is (I am told) reasonably mobile.

Can anyone give me a steer?

Thanks in advance

pb

[KNIEVEL77]

Sorry to hear of your urgent request.

I believe Elite Helicopters and Phoenix Helicopters operate flight experiences from Goodwood Aerodrome.

Good luck.

[Bravo73]

There are a couple of training schools at Goodwood, which is reasonably close by:

The Elite provider of Helicopter Rides, Helicopter Lessons and Flights (http://www.elitehelicopterflights.co.uk/)

Helicopter Gift Flight from £65.00 | Phoenix Helicopters (http://www.phoenixhelicopters.co.uk/gift-flights/)

[Miss Chopper]

The closest you'll get is www.solentflight.co.uk (http://www.solentflight.co.uk) xxxx

[chopjock]

Helicopter hire, Helicopter charter, Helicopter Rental by Atlas Helicopters UK (http://www.atlashelicopters.co.uk/?gclid=CKvP4MKA_rMCFerItAod6QcAJw)

[wokkaboy]

I believe that Atlas offer charter only. If it's rotary air experience (hands on) you're after, then Elite or Phoenix at Goodwood are nearest.

[Bravo73]

The closest you'll get is www.solentflight.co.uk (http://www.solentflight.co.uk) xxxx

I think that he/she is after a helicopter.

[helihub]

I believe that Atlas offer charter only

My brother flew a London sightseeing tour with Atlas out of Fairoaks last year, so they definitely do tours. Whether they do them in the Portsmouth area from their Lee-on-Solent base is a separate question

[Helinut]

Capt PB,

There is a slight confusion arising here. There are 2 sorts of flight that people are talking about with similar terminology:

- air experience flights which are normally carried out as an introductory flight in a small helicopter by a flying school. This in theory is an introductory flight to learning to fly. Otherwise know as a trial lesson. It will happen in a small helicopter (usually 2 seater) with an instructor. Generally, the "student" will be offered to take partial control of the aircraft, although they do not need to. Flown by a flying school.

- a sightseeing trip which is carried out as a commercial flight. This does what it says on the tin really. Usually takes place in a slightly larger helicopter 4-6 seats. Flown by a commercial operator using a commercial pilot. Normally flown at a pre-arranged time with most or all of the seats full.

Unless I am out of date, Atlas is a commercial operator but NOT a flying school. The places mentioned at Goodwood are both.

They are all straight outfits. I suggest you give them a call and see which would suit the recipient best.

[wokkaboy]

Sorry helihub, I didn't make myself clear - I believe that Atlas only offer charter, sightseeing tours and other CAT services... basically they don't do trial/introductory lessons, which it appears that Capt Pit Bull is requesting by mention of an 'air experience flight'.

:ok:

[Capt Pit Bull]

Ok folks,

Thanks for the information. I have passed some suggestions on.

Your pointers much appreciated.

Regards,

Pb

[firebird_uk]

Ahh, the "flexibility" of Exercise 3 - The Trial Lesson.

Take 1 flight school, 1 R44 and 1 pilot fresh out of his FI course. Bingo, it's like having an A-to-A AOC without any of the bullsh!t.

Leave the duals in, don't charge per seat and (from what I've seen during my time in the industry) the CAA will be happy bunnies.

[misterbonkers]

Firebird -shhhhhhh!

[helihub]

Yes, I did pick up the wrong half of the double-meaning here.

It makes me wonder - does someone who is taking an "air experience" flight have any less protection from the CAA rules than an AOC passenger..?

[tony 1969]

Also could try Advance at Shoreham.