Helicopter Discovery Trial Lesson at Redhill Aerodrome

Take the controls of a helicopter over Surrey countryside

A hands-on helicopter flying lesson at Redhill Aerodrome in South East England where you spend 25 minutes at the controls with an instructor in a two or four-seat aircraft. You choose between the Robinson R22, Cabri Guimbal G2, or Robinson R44 (which lets you bring two friends along free of charge). The lesson includes a safety briefing, instruction on how the controls work, and actual flight time, not classroom time padded into the duration.

The experience

When you arrive at Redhill Aerodrome, you'll start in the Helicopter Club Office with a safety briefing and a walkthrough of how the controls work. Your instructor will go through each system so you understand what you're about to operate. Then you'll walk to the aircraft and climb in. Just you and your instructor in the R22 or G2, or you and your instructor plus up to two guests in the R44. Once airborne, you'll fly out over the Surrey countryside and take the controls yourself, with your instructor there to guide you through the experience.

The 25 minutes of flight time is actual time in the air, not a mix of classroom and flying. Most helicopter experience providers pad their quoted duration with ground instruction. Here the flight time is what you get. Plan for about an hour total so you're not rushed through the briefing. Weather can ground flights, so if conditions aren't suitable on your booked date, you'll be offered an alternative. All taxes, fees and handling charges are included in the price.

You can choose which helicopter suits your group. The R22 and G2 are intimate two-seater options where it's just you and the instructor. The R44 is larger and lets you bring two friends along at no extra charge (weight permitting). They'll sit in the back and watch while you fly. Weight limits apply: the R22 and G2 have a maximum of 17 stone (108 kg), though you should let the operator know if you're over 15 stone (95 kg). The R44 has a maximum of 21 stone per passenger. There's no minimum age, but you need to be able to physically reach and operate all the controls safely. If you don't speak English fluently, let the operator know before booking, as instruction happens in English only.

What’s included

• Approximately 25 minutes of actual flight time in the helicopter.
• pre-flight safety briefing and instruction on how the controls work.
• 1-to-1 instruction with a live guide in English.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.

Options for this experience

3 options

Guide in EnglishNo fixed time

Guide in EnglishNo fixed time

Guide in EnglishNo fixed time

Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Based in Surrey Redhill near to London mainline train stations and Gatwick Airport. Our Address is Hangar 1, Redhill Aerodrome, Kings Mill Lane, Redhill, Surrey RH1 5JY.”

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by EBG Helicopters

Is this one for you?Choose the R44 if you want to share the experience with two friends at no extra cost. Pick the R22 or G2 for an intimate one-on-one lesson focused entirely on your flying. All three aircraft give you the same 25 minutes at the controls and the same hands-on instruction. The difference is who else is in the cockpit with you.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

Can I bring friends or family to watch while I fly the helicopter?

Yes, if you book the Robinson R44. You can bring up to two friends along free of charge, and they'll sit in the back of the aircraft during your flight. The R22 and G2 are two-seater aircraft, so it's just you and your instructor in those options.

How much of the lesson is actually spent flying versus sitting in a classroom?

The 25 minutes quoted is actual flight time in the air. Ground instruction (the safety briefing and controls walkthrough) happens before you take off and is not counted in that 25 minutes. Plan for about an hour total at the aerodrome.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my lesson?

Flights are subject to suitable weather conditions. If weather makes flying unsafe on your booked date, you'll be offered an alternative date to reschedule your lesson.

Do I need any flying experience or special fitness level to do this?

No flying experience is needed. This is a discovery lesson designed for first-timers. The lesson is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though you need to be able to reach and operate all the helicopter controls safely. There's no minimum age.

Which helicopter should I choose if I'm new to flying?

All three aircraft (the Robinson R22, Cabri Guimbal G2, and Robinson R44) are designed for trial lessons and beginners. The R22 and G2 are smaller two-seater aircraft where you get one-on-one attention. The R44 is larger and lets you bring friends, but the instruction remains the same. Your choice depends on whether you want to fly alone with the instructor or share the experience with others.