Must do trips.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2
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From: surrey
Must do trips.
Dont know if there has been similar threads on this. Looking for some inspiration. Been a ppl(h) now for last 4 years. So far done following trips:
i) London Heli Lanes
ii) Paris
iii) Lunch on Isle of Wight (Priory Bay Hotel) with low level burn around the solent.
iv) Mountain flying in Wales
v) Scotland
vi) Lundy island
vii) Weson Super Mare Heli museum.
viii) Bovey Castle, Devon.
viii) or is it ix) Duxford Helitech.
Anyone got some favourite/memorable trips to add to list?
i) London Heli Lanes
ii) Paris
iii) Lunch on Isle of Wight (Priory Bay Hotel) with low level burn around the solent.
iv) Mountain flying in Wales
v) Scotland
vi) Lundy island
vii) Weson Super Mare Heli museum.
viii) Bovey Castle, Devon.
viii) or is it ix) Duxford Helitech.
Anyone got some favourite/memorable trips to add to list?
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 192
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From: UK Scotland
Hard act to follow , youv'e done some good ones but might I suggest get a cheap flight to Majorca and go to Son Bonet airfield to do some local flying around the clear blue waters . I think a couple of British companies operate from there.
R
R
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2
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From: surrey
funny you mention that, I did that back in june and have to say it was one of best trips ive ever done (forgot to put it on my list). Sloane have good set up down there. Did an hour check with one of their instructors then hired a raven 11 with floats and spent few hours with family burning around coastline and up through the mountains. Awesome! Highly recommend it.
Another trip I did which wasnt on the list was 2 weeks mountain flying in Canada with Canadian Heliopters. Great experience if a touch expensive.
Another trip I did which wasnt on the list was 2 weeks mountain flying in Canada with Canadian Heliopters. Great experience if a touch expensive.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 542
Likes: 5
From: Europe
If you really want to fly through some stunning scenery and can justify it fly down to Switzerland and go through the Alps. Montreaux, Sion, Brigg, Simplon pass, Dommodossola stunning; Goldau, Gotthard, Lugano even better. Stay at Il Sol de Ranco on Lake Maggiore. Then come back more west via Aosta and drop into Courchevel altiport. Take a good camera!
Lots of caution though. Very weather dependent; great info on pass status from Swiss GAFOR system. Watch your acft weight and don't plan a tight schedule so you can accomodate weather delays without stress. Strongly advise mountain flying course before you go, particularly if inexperienced.
Lots of caution though. Very weather dependent; great info on pass status from Swiss GAFOR system. Watch your acft weight and don't plan a tight schedule so you can accomodate weather delays without stress. Strongly advise mountain flying course before you go, particularly if inexperienced.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 582
Likes: 1
From: Where I'm pointing...
I have to agree with Pandalet.
My two favourite trips were
1) Cape Town to Port Elizabeth along the coast (stopping along the way naturally), with a little side trip to Shamwari Game Reserve. (R44 ~ 14hrs flying incl. side trips)
2) Johannesburg to a lodge on the Zambezi River via Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Chobe, Vic Falls (Zambian Side) (B407 ~22hrs flying total, incl. Trip towards the source of the Zambezi) - A Logistical Exercise as much as anything!
All low level of course, to take in scenery and game!
Other nice (shorter) trips in SA include Wine Routes and Hermanus in the Cape, and going up the west coast.
Although any vacation flying going to multiple Hotel/Lodge/Chateau's in a Helicopter is great fun, though I can't think of anything as rewarding as bush flying in Africa.
Great Self fly hire attitude in South Africa if you invest in the right relationships, good pricing and very reasonable to do from the UK.
The "technical" trips like London (and LHR if you can fit it in) and NY Heli Routes (probaby LA too), or Mountain flying in NZ are also neat experiences.
My two favourite trips were
1) Cape Town to Port Elizabeth along the coast (stopping along the way naturally), with a little side trip to Shamwari Game Reserve. (R44 ~ 14hrs flying incl. side trips)
2) Johannesburg to a lodge on the Zambezi River via Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Chobe, Vic Falls (Zambian Side) (B407 ~22hrs flying total, incl. Trip towards the source of the Zambezi) - A Logistical Exercise as much as anything!
All low level of course, to take in scenery and game!
Other nice (shorter) trips in SA include Wine Routes and Hermanus in the Cape, and going up the west coast.
Although any vacation flying going to multiple Hotel/Lodge/Chateau's in a Helicopter is great fun, though I can't think of anything as rewarding as bush flying in Africa.
Great Self fly hire attitude in South Africa if you invest in the right relationships, good pricing and very reasonable to do from the UK.
The "technical" trips like London (and LHR if you can fit it in) and NY Heli Routes (probaby LA too), or Mountain flying in NZ are also neat experiences.
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 19
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From: N/A
Can't go past the Alps. As some fellow slappers have mentioned, Switzerland, Austria, and the northern parts of Italy are as beautiful as it gets! One has to be mindful of the high altitudes on landing - a power check is essential!
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
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From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
High on my list is Iceland. One of our number, Heli-Ice, has a Schweizer available for SFH. The scenery is stunning, the cost is reasonable; just have to remember to take the duty-free with me!
Cheers
Whirls
Cheers
Whirls
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10
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From: Canada
I was lucky enough to take a Super Puma from Halifax, Canada to Baku, Azerbaijan. Greenland, Iceland and the Faeroe Islands were certainly the most spectacular part of the trip although the Greek islands weren't too shabby.
The deserts of Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico at low level in a 76 were also memorable. Viva Las Vegas.
The deserts of Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico at low level in a 76 were also memorable. Viva Las Vegas.
Gatvol
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 1
From: KLAS/TIST/FAJS/KFAI
The deserts of Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico at low level in a 76 were also memorable. Viva Las Vegas.
For me its Ferry Flights from the West Coast of the U.S. down to the Virgin islands in a 407. Days of fun.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,383
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From: ...in view of the 'Southern Cross' ...
Mmmm.......
Cranfield UK to CoffsHarbour NSW Australia ..... 1982 .....
Can't remember if I enjoyed it?
I do know that my back seizes up and I start twitching uncontrollably if I hear a Cessna 337 fly by !!! (that being the instrument of torture at the time).
Do remember vowing NEVER to do it again unless ... TAS>180Kts and burning Jet Fuel!
Cranfield UK to CoffsHarbour NSW Australia ..... 1982 .....
Can't remember if I enjoyed it?
I do know that my back seizes up and I start twitching uncontrollably if I hear a Cessna 337 fly by !!! (that being the instrument of torture at the time).
Do remember vowing NEVER to do it again unless ... TAS>180Kts and burning Jet Fuel!