Eight reasons why you’ll love a helicopter pleasure flight…
1. Take to the skies like a celeb
If you like the idea of flying like a celebrity or high-powered VIP in a helicopter, a pleasure flight is for you. For the likes of US Presidential candidate Donald Trump, Star Wars hero Han Solo (aka Harrison Ford) and Hollywood royalty Brad Pitt, (whose soon-to-be ex-wife Angelina paid £1.3 million for his helicopter) this aircraft simply trumps (excuse the pun) any other form of transport.
2. Witness the spectacular
Sit back and relax in our comfortable Bell LongRanger helicopter as it cruises along at several thousand feet. During your helicopter tour you’ll be treated to a spectacular bird’s eye view of the constantly changing scenery that stretches out for mile after mile in every direction.
3. Learn something new
Our highly-qualified helicopter pilots have years of experience flying fun-loving pleasure fliers all over the UK. Who better then to tell you about the many beautiful locations, historical gems, and other points of interest along the way. Listen up! You will learn something.
4. Marvel at the magnificence of one of the UK’s most important stately homes…
The grandeur and magnificence of one of the UK’s most amazing stately homes, Chatsworth House, awaits. Our Peak District and Chatsworth House Tour will take you directly over the great house, which was Built in 1552 by Sir William Cavendish. One of its most notable moments was when it became the residence of Mary, Queen of Scots, while she was kept under house arrest. More recently it has been the set of a number of TV productions and films, including Pride & Prejudice and Jane Eyre, partly for the spectacular grounds and gardens, which you’ll get an unmissable view of… cameras at the ready!
5. Take once-in-a-lifetime photos
Taking photos of everything from stunning landscapes, to some very special selfies onboard your flight. Where better to take some of your best photos or even video, than on a helicopter experience? Whether it is using a simple compact, iPhone, or an SLR camera, helicopter photography is for everyone. Just remember these key points: Make sure you have plenty of available memory on your device; put your camera close to the window to minimise reflections; keep the shutter speed above 1/1000 of a second, this will help reduce the impact of any camera shake, leading to blurred photos; have fun, try and get different, imaginative pictures, like helicopter shadows. On any of our helicopter flights, you are certain to capture some very special shots to add to your photo album!
6. Discover the Dambusters
Flying over the iconic spot where the Dambusters RAF pilots practised for one of the most daring raids of the Second World War. In 1943 a select few pilots carried out low-level flights over the Derwent Reservoir in Derbyshire because of its similarity to German dams in the Ruhr Valley, three of which they would go on to destroy months later using the ‘bouncing bomb’.
Our Dambuster and Chatsworth House Tour departs from The Moorlands pub and heads north-west to follow the route of the famous 617 squadron down the Derwent Valley and over the twin dams. If that’s not enough, the flight also takes in other spectacular aerial sights over the Peak District, including Chatsworth House. We’ll even throw in a free lunch. Sound good?
7. Experience a unique ride – there’s nothing quite like it
Strapping into a helicopter, listening to the spinning rotors, followed by the sensation of lifting off and rapidly accelerating as you fly high into the sky – there’s nothing quite like it. For first-time fliers the excitement of take-off is a unique, thrilling part of your pleasure flight. Whether you are departing from our Nottingham Heliport or are leaving from one of our locations in northern England, you can be sure your flight will be memorable from the very first minute.
8. Head for the lakes… mountains, wild moors, cityscapes, and beaches
8. Discovering lakes, mountains, wild moors, cityscapes, beaches and world-famous historical landmarks. Our Derbyshire helicopter rides are centred around the Peak District with its varied landscapes and famous landmarks. If you prefer city helicopter tours, we’ll show you the sights of Nottingham and York. Or, how about a coastal flight taking in those famous old English seaside towns, such as Blackpool and Skegness? Why not bring along the family to qualify for a group discount, and share the experience of a lifetime!
- Published in Gift experiences
WHAT’S YOUR GREAT BRITISH VIEW?
Share your Great British View and WIN!
Here at Central Helicopters our pleasure flights take us to some pretty spectacular, varied locations, where we are lucky enough to regularly get a Great British View. From scenic national parks like the Lake District, to historic cities such as York, to unique seaside favourites including Blackpool.
A stunning scenic selfie
But, one thing they all have in common is spectacular views… and plenty of them.
In tribute to these, we are asking YOU to get involved and send us your pictures and videos of your Great British View taken during a Central Helicopters flight. Maybe you’ve got amazing aerial photography, or a scenic selfie? Whatever the composition, we want to see it.
WIN a flight voucher
Share them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #GreatBritishView. The chosen winner will receive a FREE 6-Mile Helicopter Air Experience. Be in it to win by Friday, November, 4. All entries will forfeit their copyright, allowing Central Helicopters Ltd to use the photographs for marketing purposes. The winner will be chosen at the discretion of the management. Winning photos will be displayed on our website!
Choose your Central Helicopters pleasure flight and experience unforgettable views of some of Britain’s best-loved locations.
- Published in Gift experiences
THE LAKE DISTRICT: 10 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW
Here at Central Helicopters we like to celebrate the incredible destinations of our pleasure flights, and this month we thought we’d bring you some facts and trivia about the Lake District. Whether you are interested in one of our helicopter experiences to this unique national park, or simply want to top up your trivia, our Lake District: 10 Things You Didn’t Know guide might just pique your interest.
1. RING OF FIRE
Five hundred million years ago The Lakes stood on the edge of the so-called “ring of fire”.
This was an area of intensive volcanic activity with lava and basalt being thrown up resulting in the creation of some of the area’s craggy peaks.
2. ANYONE FOR ICE SKATING?
You’ll be flying right over the impressive Lake Windermere, but did you know, that in 1895, visitors and locals were ice skating right the way across it! It was completely iced over for six weeks.
3. IT’S A WHITEWASH
The picture-perfect white Lake District cottages originally got the look for more practical reasons, being coated in red lead and limewashed to keep out the damp.
4. A LOT OF FLUFF
Look carefully during your helicopter tour and you’ll spot grey sheep dotted around the fells.
These hardy creatures have super thick coats of wool, creating a protective barrier in blizzards – they have even been known to survive under a blanket of snow for days on end while eating their own wool.
5. HOW DEEP IS YOUR LAKE?
The Lake District is of course well-known for having England’s largest lake, Lake Windermere (cameras at the ready). But, do you know the country’s deepest? Well, that title also goes to the Lake District, with Wastwater measuring in at 243 feet, or 74 metres.
6. SUITS YOU SIR!
We couldn’t write a top-10 without looking ( or slightly smirking) about some of the customs of the 40,000-plus people who live in the Lake District. One of those that has to be near the top is Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, which dates to the Viking era. Here, grown men grapple with each other while wearing the traditional costume of long johns and an embroidered vest with a velvet centre piece over the top… coming to a high street near you!
7. WRITE ON!
During the 16th century, graphite was discovered in the hills and used to make pencils, and to mark sheep. Today, the Pencil Museum in Keswick attracts almost 100,000 visitors each year.
8. WET, WET, WET
One more accolade for you… the park is also home to England’s wettest inhabited place — about 140 inches (356 centimeters) of rain falls on Seathwaite each year. Someone pass me a brolly!
9. THE REALLY WILD SHOW
As late as the 19th century, wild, remote areas of the Lake District were seen as uncivilised, and even dangerous. That didn’t put off one of the area’s best-loved residents, William Wordsworth, who took inspiration in the spectacular, rugged countryside that others dared not explore.
10. WHO KNEW? THE LAKE DISTRICT HAS… ONLY ONE LAKE!?
The only official lake in the Lake District is Bassenthwaite Lake – all the others are ‘Waters’ or ‘Meres.’
Discover the Lake District on one of our unforgettable pleasure flights.
- Published in Lake District
LIFT-OFF FOR OUR NEW WEBSITE!
It’s been months in the making, with all the team here at Central Helicopters HQ getting involved to help make our website just right for you.
We have got loads to show you and tell you about, and we wanted to ensure that all this good stuff was wrapped up in a lovely, easy to use package, which is an even better place to purchase breathtaking helicopter experiences, private flights, and flight training.
25% off just for you!
As part of our launch, we are giving you a 25% discount on two of our most popular flights from the stunning Lake District. On our 15-minute Lake District Flight, you will fly towards Lake Windermere, over the town of Bowness and Belle Isle – the largest of Lake Windermere’s 18 islands. Or, join our Lake Windermere Tour 30-minute flight, where you will take in spectacular panoramic views of the Furness Fells to the west, before reaching Ambleside at the far north of Windermere, rounding off a truly breathtaking helicopter trip.
Our next flights depart on September 24. Simply sign up for our mailing list and we’ll send you the DISCOUNT CODE.
Get more offers
We will be giving our Facebook friends, Twitter followers, and all our mailing list customers exclusive offers first,
so start getting involved.
Tell us all about it – share your flight videos!
If you loved your flight, then we want to hear about it. Share your experience on Twitter and Facebook and tweet us links to your videos.
Learn more, experience more
Over the next few months, we’ll be bringing you lots of news, interviews, and more, right here on our blog. We’ll be speaking with our pilots, who will tell you what it takes to become a pilot, and you’ll learn about Central Helicopters’ HQ, including our amazing fleet of helicopters, and the stories of those that fly with us, from celebs, to first-time flyers. Watch this space!
- Published in Lake District
My husband and son enjoyed a flight here today. Lovely place and lovely people. All in all a great experience. My husband has booked a longer flight and my son is considering a lesson. Thank you very much.
REVIEW – Carole Robinson
Fantastic experience, we loved it. Very well organised, would love to do it again for longer. Thank you
REVIEW – Michelle Hayden
If you've never been in a Helicopter before, it is definitely worth the experience. Did the Nottingham city tour on 18th June. Value for money and all the staff were very friendly. Will be booking another flight in the New Year.
REVIEW – Anthony Beaumont
Was an amazing flight and staff were fantastic. Want to do it again :)
REVIEW – DEBRA VICKERS
Had an amazing day today at Central Helicopters would like to thank you all so much. Fantastic experience, great staff who make you feel at ease. Would certainly recommend.
REVIEW – LEANNE FULLER