Helicopter Pleasure Flights Skegness Aerial Video Photos
Helicopter pleasure flights are being given a trial run over the Easter holidays in Skegness, and if all parties concerned are happy, we can expect to see this latest Skegness attraction throughout the 2008 season.The helicopter rides are operated by Sky Charter Helicopters, a company based in Margate, Kent, who very kindly allowed us onboard to take aerial photographs and video footage.
We went along to the take-off site which was on the beach near Festival Pavilion car park, off to the right of Tower Esplanade, and was greeted by Sky Charter team member, Ellen.
The helicopter, seating four persons and on these pleasure flights, flying at around 800 feet, was just coming in to land as we arrived.
The next flight was delayed for a short while until a snow storm blew over, but soon enough, we were shuttled into the ‘copter to be prepared for take-off. Because I was filming, I was seated in the front next to the pilot; seatbelt and headphones secured, doors locked and…
…we were up and away!
What a feeling – absolutely fantastic! We cruised along the seashore for a few miles – I was expecting the flight to be quite bumpy but it was very smooth. As we banked to turn, it’s an awesome sensation as you’re positioned almost horizontal to the ground below! The landing was very smooth, too.
The pleasure flight costs £30 per person, which is very reasonable, covering obvious overheads like fuel, hire of the helicopter, fully qualified pilot and co-pilot, a fire and safety officer with equipment, insurance and operation fees etc.
Sky Charter Helicopters will be operating the pleasure flights again tomorrow, Easter Monday, weather permitting so why not give it a go.
It’s an adreneline-rush experience that’s well worth raiding the piggy-bank for!
Please enter the password ’skegness’ to view our video of the helicopter flight.
Aerial photographs of Skegness and Fantasy Island, Ingoldmells, taken by paulgoochimages.org with the kind permission of Sky Charter Helicopters. The images will open in a new window. The third image is myself in the helicopter cockpit filming the video below.
Sky Charter Helicopters are also available for weddings and romantic whisk-aways. See their website more more information.
I think that the helicopter is to close to the main beach and it could scare the donkeys and disturb people when they are sitting on the beach.
Guess you didnt have a go then Mike! It’s a fantastic idea.
We had a go in the helicopter on easter saturday, it was GREAT. The staff were very professional and explained about the flight and the saftey points., The pilot was fantastic, pointing out things to the kids and telling you about the height and speed you were at. As for Mikes comments about it being to near to the main beach where does he want it? The location is perfect everyone can see it and the staff made sure the perimeter was safe before the pilot started the engine. Many onlookers gathered to watch the helicopter take off and land so more people were on the beach in the poor weather than expected so the ice cream traders also benefitted with the helicopter being there.
We received this message from Pipkins1967:
“we went up on saturday, it was great. Hopefully nobody will object and Sky charter will return for the season.”
We received this message from T Raistrict:
“Hi we went and had a go in the helicopter on saturday it was GREAT,lets hope that this great attraction will continue all season. Well done Sky charter for the excellent service.”
Will you continue these Helicopter rides in 2009, if so would they be acceptable for passengers out of a wheelchair?
IF so where do we book and when will it start!
Hi, Keith.
I think the pleasure rides have been operating from the aerodrome opposite Butlins, since ELDC wouldn’t grand a licence for them to operate from central Skegness. Possibly they might begin again at Easter 2009.
Having been on one of the helicopters, I don’t recall them being fitted out to accommodate wheelchairs, and they are quite high to climb into.
Your best bet is to contact Ellen via the Sky Charter website, I’m sure she will answer your questions.
Cheers
Angela
HELICOPTER RIDES:yes i think we should grant sky charter the licence to operate helecopter rides in skegness ,we need other attractions in the resort other than arcades that swamp our sea front.a good landing and take off base would be the bowling green at the back of the sun castle,its enclosed its spaceious and serves the purpose perfectly.ive always argued that that bowling green is an out dated attraction that does not bring in enough revenue to the town and we have a green on south parade that can fill the loss of the green at the suncastle.it just needs more people to make the coucil realise this.
HELICOPTER RIDES:yes i think we should grant sky charter the licence to operate helecopter rides in skegness ,we need other attractions in the resort other than arcades that swamp our sea front.a good landing and take off base would be the bowling green at the back of the sun castle,its enclosed its spaceious and serves the purpose perfectly.ive always argued that that bowling green is an out dated attraction that does not bring in enough revenue to the town and we have a green on south parade that can fill the loss of the green at the suncastle.it just needs more people to make the council realise this