Take your adventure to new heights with this 18 Mile Helicopter Ride Experience, the perfect way to enjoy more time in the air and take in even more incredible views. Combining the thrill of flight with stunning scenery, this experience is ideal for anyone looking to celebrate a special occasion or tick off a bucket-list activity.
Available at multiple locations across Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, this helicopter ride experience begins with a full safety briefing from your professional pilot. You’ll be introduced to the aircraft, given an overview of what to expect, and have the chance to capture a few photos before boarding.
As the helicopter lifts smoothly from the ground, you’ll experience the unique sensation of vertical take-off before climbing to heights of around 1,000 feet. From here, the world below transforms into sweeping landscapes, winding roads and scenic landmarks, all viewed from a perspective few get to experience.
During your 18-mile helicopter ride, you’ll enjoy extended time in the air compared to shorter rides, allowing you to fully take in the surroundings. With a headset provided, you’ll be able to communicate with the pilot, who will point out local landmarks and share insights about the area and the aircraft, adding an informative and engaging element to your journey.
This experience can be enjoyed by up to four people, making it a fantastic shared adventure for couples, friends or family members. Whether you’re celebrating something special or looking for an unforgettable day out, this longer flight offers a more immersive and memorable experience.
As an exchangeable experience gift, the 18 Mile Helicopter Ride Experience is perfect for thrill-seekers, sightseers and anyone who loves trying something a little different.
Please note: this is a shared helicopter experience, meaning other passengers may be onboard unless all seats are booked together.
Please allow 30 minutes for this experience - 10 minutes flying.
Please note that locations are subject to change and can be removed and added by the experience provider.
This is an incredibly popular experience, so the provider advises booking around 3-6 months in advance for most locations. As we are a gift experience provider, we advise giving the voucher for the occasion ( i.e birthday/ anniversary ) and allowing the recipient to choose a location, time and date that suits them.Â
The main flying season is April-October for most of the locations, however there are a handful of venues that run all year round.Â
The year round locations are:Â Newcastle, Gloucestershire, Fairoaks, Blackbushe, Cumbernauld, Nottingham & Waterford.
The St Ives location operates 24th July–8th August only.
Your voucher is valid for 12 Months from the date of issue.
Please note you must have booked and taken your experience before the expiry date.
The centres contracted with us hold public liability insurance. We also hold contingency liability cover. You will not be liable for accidental damage to equipment, except where damage has been caused as a result of recklessness or wilful negligence.
A cancellation indemnity, subject to terms, is included with every voucher.
Images are for illustrative purposes only. The experience may vary by location or availability. Please refer to the experience description for full details of what is included.
Is this experience weather dependant?Â
Yes, all flights are subject to weather, operational factors and are subject to the possibility of short notice cancellation.
As the weather is ever changing, the pilot will not make a decision until 6pm the evening before your flight. Please do follow the weather check process on your boarding pass
It is important to note that things can change at the last minute and whilst the flight providers try their best to predict the weather, reports are not always accurate.
Please note
Helicopter experiences are subject to weather, aircraft serviceability, operational matters and availability. Once you have booked your helicopter experience, you are bound by the terms of the experience provider and in the event of 3 or less cancellations, you will be obliged to rebook the experience, rather than exchange or have a refund.
Is this experience private?Â
All helicopters can seat at least 4 people, but there are a few helicopters that have 6 spaces, so exclusivity is not guaranteed.Â
If your experience is named as "private" or a "1:1 flying lesson" this will be a private flight for you/your group only.
Co-Pilot Seat
There may be an option to upgrade (when booking)Â to sit in the front of the aircraft in the Co-Pilot seat. There will be an upgrade cost to this which varies in price depending on the duration of the flight.
If you were to purchase 4 x For 1 vouchers, this would not include the front co-pilot seat and would be for rear seats only. An additional upgrade cost would be needed if one of you wanted to sit in the co-pilot seat.Â
On a flying lesson experience you will be sitting in the co-pilot seat.
What is the maximum participant weight?
Flying activities have maximum weights (per seat) to ensure health and safety along with the comfort of fellow passengers.
You must enter passenger/participant weight at the time of booking an experience. If weight varies between the time of initial booking and date of flight experience it remains the responsibility of the customer to update their individual weight via their online account prior to flight.
All passengers will be weighed before flight and if disparity exists between weight disclosed and actual weight (within reason), the passenger may be ineligible to fly.
The following weight restrictions cover multiple flying experiences:
Aeroplane Flying Lessons (2 Seater Aircraft) – Max 15 Stone (95kg)
Aeroplane Flying Lessons (4 Seater Aircraft) – Max 17.9 Stone (114kg)
Double Landing Flying Lesson, Max 16 Stone (102KG) Triple Landing Flying Lesson
Helicopter Flying Lesson - Max 15 Stone (95KG)
Helicopter Pleasure Flights (Bell 206 Jet Ranger and Bell 206 Long Ranger):
Group size of One - Max 15 Stone (95KG)
Group size of Two - Max 30 Stone (190KG)
Group size of Three - Max 43 Stone (273KG)
Group size of Four - Max 56 Stone (355KG)
Group size of Five - Max 63 Stone (400KG)
Group size of Six - Max 75 Stone (475KG)
Helicopter Pleasure Flights (Robinson R44):
Group size of One - Max 15 Stone (95KG)
Group size of Two - Max 30 Stone (190KG)
Group size of Three - Max 39 Stone (250KG)
**Variation of weight restrictions may apply with external third party providers.**
Please note that the maximum weight limit for the Co Pilot Seat on a helicopter pleasure flight varies depending on aircraft and other operational considerations but will not exceed 95kg. If disparity exists between disclosed and actual weight (within reason), the Co Pilot Seat upgrade will be forfeited and no refund will be payable in view of loss of experience.
If as a party of one you weigh in excess of 15 stone, you may still be able to fly however you will need to purchase an additional seat. This seat will either have to remain unoccupied or can be occupied by an individual as long as the combined total as listed above is not exceeded. However, a total individual weight of 21.5 stone cannot be exceeded.
The experience provider flies a variety of aircraft with varying passenger capacity. Seating will either be forward or rear facing, dependant on aircraft. The Co Pilot seat is an optional upgrade and if this is booked as part of a party of two or more passengers, the second passenger is guaranteed a window seat. Standard vouchers are for rear seats, window or middle, assigned at discretion of the crew. Please note, on a Bell 206 Jet Ranger there is reduced headroom associated with the middle seat owing to aircraft design.
Is there an age limit?Â
Shared Helicopter Flights
Minimum age is 6 years old.
There is no maximum age limit.
All participants under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Participants aged 12 and over may fly unaccompanied.
The experience provider reserves the right to refuse or remove any passenger from the flight if their behaviour is deemed unsafe or inappropriate.
Private Helicopter Flights
Minimum age is 2 years old.Â
All participants under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult.
There is no maximum age limit.
Participants aged 12 and over may fly unaccompanied.
The experience provider reserves the right to refuse or remove any passenger from the flight if their behaviour is deemed unsafe or inappropriate.
Is there a maximum height?
The maximum height is 6ft 6 for helicopter rides.
Can I fly whilst pregnant?Â
The experience provider is happy to fly pregnant passengers however they cannot give medical advice, please consult your doctor if you have any concerns at all before taking your flight.
Photos (not applicable for Private flights)
A photographer is present at every flight and customers can have their photos taken outside and inside of the helicopter. The framed photos will be available to purchase after the flight for £15.
My grandkids, daughter and son in law all enjoyed the experience. Very well organised and facilities at Balado airfield were first class. Highly recommended!
A safe and Great day. Had fun .extended my flight on the day. Friendly helpful staff and all the crew & pilot. Great commentary Great views..glad I did it .
Thank you to all involved and my wife Kerry for my birthday expexperience.chocs n champas.
recommended...
Everything was great.A thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Had a great experience
Pleased we did it
I bought the helicopter experience for my son for his 18th birthday and he loved it! The team were excellent and explained everything clearly. I can highly recommend and I will be booking again so that we can all fly together as a family
What a great experience to see Blackpool from a helicopter.
Friendly staff and very helpful they explained everything very well.
I would recommend this to anyone I have already talked my daughter into giving it a try.
Christmas presi for my grandson and myself. Thoroughly enjoyed it.. Great viewing, would definitely do it again. Pilot great at the airfield along with the guys on the ground. Thank you to all
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