Helicopter rides.

[monty0703]

Not sure if this is the correct section but here goes.. I ws thinking of getting a helicopter ride for a pressie for a friend. Has anyone been on one? Was it worth the money? I understand that there is 1 in the front and 3 in the back, can you still see if you are stuck in the middle at the back?

[denise35]

Hi,i was on one in March of this year as i got it as a xmas pressie last year and it was fantastic i went over Edinburgh and yes there is one in the front and 4 in the back you all get headphones to wear so you can hear the pilot and everyone else talking incase someone asks a question. you get a great view no matter what seat you're in as long as it's a clear day, and mine was a clear sky day, very lucky and would do it again in a flash. Your friend will love it.

[Philtaz]

Haven't paid for one but had a few trips in helicopters when I was in the Army and it is an unbelievable experience which should be well worth the money.

[Hippy]

It's really noisy (headphones are ear protectors as well) and you get shaken with all that vibration, it's like sitting on your spin drier for 20 mins in a wirlwind with a jet engine two feet away, but the views and whole experience are unforgettable

mm

[monty0703]

Thanks. I was a bit worried that a seat in the back would mean you wouldn't have a good view but reading your answers I think I'll book it after all.

[avis50]

I went on one from Booker airfield (between Marlow and High Wycombe) to Kew and then all along the Thames to Greenwich. I was lucky enough to sit in the front, but the people in the back could see just as well. It was, as someone else mentioned, rather noisy, but the earphones keep most of the noise out. Unfortunately I picked one of the nastiest days of the year and visibility was not that terrific (of course the weekend before AND the weekend after were glorious - just my luck!) but even so it was a great experience.

[hertz]

For an even better experience, my local airfield offers a "trial lesson" in a helicopter. You go one-to-one with a pilot, and after a short briefing telling you how a helicopter works, he takes you up in a Robinson R22 and demonstrates various things, such as how to recover from an engine failure(!) and even lets you handle the controls. My wife bought a lesson for my 50th birthday 4 years ago, and it was brilliant!