British Grand Prix 2010: Silverstone Heliport
 

Has anyone else heard about HeliAir taking over the running of Silverstone this year?

Yes............and Yes

Anyone know when the tender came out to run the heli-port???

It didn't go out to tender as far as I know. I'm keen to find out if someone's trying to monopolise the event.

Landing fees Silverstone
 

heli-air Silverstone fee's out
2009 A109 £390 in and out + parking of £60 and handling = £990
2010 A109 £469 in and out + parking of £105 and handling= £1193
The only way to make money out of helicopters is to grab it in landing fee's

Interesting that R22 has gone down from £260 to £100
and R44 from £260 to £200

surely not heli-air looking after their own
:ugh::ugh:

Looks good to me. Sensible prices, all businesses need to make a profit and from what I can see out there Heli Air seems to be the one company going from strength to strength. I've been dealing with Heli Air for over 10 years and always got over 100% service and value for money. They seem to have the plot sorted. I think those that complain have a secondary agenda or they can't really afford to be in the marketplace. Recession, what recession. Roll on the R66.

:)

I've been arranging and booking slots for the F1 GP weekend and was told there is a reduced number this year and right now Heli Air is trying to get this increased. If you want guaranteed slots you ought to call them, it's all being handled at Wycombe by Harriett, who's been very helpful; 01494 769976.

heliair Silverstone
 

Helair are also rumoured to be starting training from Silverstone with R22.

Silverstone
 

He is a BRDC member and does not pay landing fees.:)

I too believe this is training is planned. Starts with R22, followed by R44 and eventually R66. They will also be offering 'experience flying' with Silverstone's car-driving visitors. You know, the likes of drive the sports car round for 1, 2, 3 or more laps. Then do something similar in an R22 with a Heli Air FI. Looks to become a big operation with time.

Sounds like a sensible use for an airfield!

And the BRDC certainly need the increased revenue stream.

Heli Air at Silverstone
 

I have been dealing with Heli Air for 15 years and they are an excellent company. The Silverstone deal will raise the profile of helicopters by introducing a well established helicopter company to the race circuit. Visitors, race enthusiasts and racing car drivers will get the chance to fly in helicopters on site and then go on to gain a PPL or CPL.

With the recession, corporate entertaining is at an all time low - there were figures of around 50-60% reduction in work Christmas parties last month. Then there is the significant improvements in road connections to Silverstone in the last couple of years. Finally look at the big hike in landing fees and it makes you wonder how few non-Robinson movements they will actually get.

I agree helihub.
Whilst Heli Air may give "over 100% service and value for money" (I never could work out the phrase "over 100%"), let's not get carried away here.

I'm sure they'll give you the best service possible as they take your £469 + VAT A109 fee for landing... and the same again for taking off post race... and £105 + VAT for parking... and £150 + VAT for handling...

Yes Silverstone will take their cut, but £1193 + VAT???

Service with a smile should be guaranteed!!

Hmmm, I also thought it might be like that but when I heard that over half the available slots have been reserved (as of last Friday) I booked mine.

Operators that don't reserve will be disappointed. :)

TT;

We keep hearing that Heli-Air haven't yet sorted out what is happening re slots. We wrote to reserve ours and have been told that reservations will be sorted by next month. Come on Heli-Air we are all trying to keep customers happy and you seem determined to just give every one a total cluster f***.

SND

SND

I've got a feeling if there's an issue over the number of slots this will be very close to the heart at Heli Air. They will see the need for as many slots as possible. I called them earlier and they have not yet reserved one slot for themselves; professional operators and other clients are being given total priority. I know they want to keep the 'customers' happy as I do in my business. They have nothing to gain by being tardy, quite the reverse. I don't think your attitude is right, nor your closing remark in ***s. Why don't you just call Heli Air personally tomorrow? You may be pleasantly surprised.

TorqueTorque - you need to be smarter at remaining anonymous ;)

TopToBottom - thanks for the advice, genuinely appreciated. I really don't need to remain totally anonymous as I always speak the truth.... so if you want to gain the inside track, just ask away....

:O

Slot allocation Silverstone 2010
 

"...no slot allocation until the end of February" is the Heli Air response when you phone them.