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Arcus Helicopters
Coastal island destination viewed during an Arcus helicopter fly-out

About Arcus Helicopters

The licence is
only the beginning.

Arcus is a professional helicopter school built around people: knowing them, supporting the full journey and creating reasons to keep flying together.

Four members of the Arcus Helicopters team walking forward together beside a helicopter

Our story

Founded on a more
personal idea.

Co-founders Jamie Ferrand and David Marsland created Arcus around a simple belief: exacting aviation standards and genuine warmth should always belong together.

Arcus is not built around selling the most training in the shortest conversation. It is built around honest advice, informed decisions and helping people become safe, confident pilots.

We encourage prospective students to visit other flight schools and choose the one that fits them best. From the first visit, every person at Arcus should feel listened to and known by name. That relationship can begin with a trial lesson, develop through a PPL(H), and continue into hire, advanced qualifications, aircraft ownership and a lifelong love of flying.

Come and meet the Arcus team

Meet the team

The people who
fly with you.

Jamie Ferrand, Director and Flight Instructor at Arcus Helicopters

Jamie Ferrand

Director & Flight Instructor

Jamie began flying helicopters in September 2014, following his studies at the University of Leeds and subsequent flight training. He is qualified on the R22, R44, R66, Bell 206, Bell 505 and EC120, bringing extensive experience across both piston and turbine helicopters.

A particular area of expertise is flying through London and operating into Battersea Heliport — experience he enjoys sharing with pilots looking to build their confidence in more complex environments. Among his most memorable flights are those through the west coast of Scotland, where challenging terrain and remarkable scenery combine to make every journey memorable.

As a Director and instructor at Arcus, Jamie is passionate about helping pilots progress beyond gaining a licence and become confident, capable aviators who continue flying as part of the Arcus community.

David Marsland, Director, Flight Instructor and Examiner at Arcus Helicopters

David Marsland

Director, Flight Instructor & Examiner

David has been flying helicopters for 24 years and is an examiner on the R22, R44, Bell 206 and Bell 206L. Before entering aviation, he managed a chain of health clubs in London — until he made the “mistake” of booking a helicopter trial lesson, and that was that.

As both an instructor and examiner, David gets enormous satisfaction from seeing students develop throughout their PPL(H) journey. From their first experience at the controls through to the confidence and ability required for their final skills test, he particularly enjoys watching each pilot’s knowledge and capabilities grow.

When flying for pleasure, David is especially drawn to the Lake District, where the landscape makes for some of his most enjoyable and memorable flights.

Andy Atkinson, Flight Instructor at Arcus Helicopters

Andy Atkinson

Flight Instructor

Andy began flying helicopters in March 2023 and is qualified on the R22 and R44. Before aviation, he worked as a tennis player and coach, followed by a period in an office role. His search for a more enjoyable and fulfilling career eventually led him to helicopters — and he was hooked from his very first flight.

As an instructor, Andy particularly enjoys the variety of people he meets and teaches, as well as watching each student’s skills and confidence improve throughout their training.

His most memorable flying experiences include a trip to Battersea, flying along the south coast to the Isle of Wight, and taking his family flying for the first time.

James Mackenzie, Flight Instructor at Arcus Helicopters

James Mackenzie

Flight Instructor

Becoming a helicopter pilot was a childhood dream for James. After spending five years working in IT, he began turning that ambition into reality in September 2021. He is qualified on the R22, R44 and Bell 206.

As a flight instructor, James finds it especially rewarding to watch students progress — building their skills and confidence from one lesson to the next.

His most memorable flights include crossing the Channel to Le Touquet in France and taking his family sightseeing, sharing the experience of helicopter flight with the people closest to him.

Sarah McGregor, Ground Manager and Events Co-ordinator at Arcus Helicopters

Sarah McGregor

Ground Manager & Events Co-ordinator

Sarah has always had a passion for flying. She gained her fixed-wing Private Pilot Licence 17 years ago but had long wanted to experience flying helicopters. That opportunity finally arrived when she won a helicopter lesson in a raffle at a charity ball — and the rest, as they say, is history.

Sarah has now been flying helicopters for seven years and holds her PPL(H), flying the R22, R44 and Bell 206. As Ground Manager & Events Co-ordinator, she helps keep life at Arcus running smoothly and plays an important role in bringing the Arcus community together.

Her most memorable helicopter adventures include flying through Scotland to John o’ Groats, visiting the Isles of Scilly via Penzance and experiencing the London Heli Lanes and Battersea Heliport.

A tradition that is uniquely Arcus

Make your mark
on the hangar.

The helicopter blades on the Arcus wall tell the story of the people who have learned and progressed here. When you complete your first solo, pass your licence or achieve a new type rating, you sign the blade and become part of that story.

And because important moments deserve to be properly celebrated, successful students receive a bottle of Champagne Pol Roger. It is a personal milestone, shared with the instructors and community who helped make it happen.

Luke Devlin celebrating his first solo flight with Pol Roger beside an Arcus signed rotor blade
First solo · Licence pass · Type rating
Signed helicopter rotor blades displayed on the wall at Arcus Helicopters
Signed blades on the hangar wall

Visiting Arcus

The office, the briefing
room and the hangar.

Briefings, ground school and the fleet are all in one place at Nottingham Airport. You are welcome to come and see it before you book anything.

Arcus Helicopters main office and meeting area
The office and meeting area
Arcus Helicopters main lecture room with tables, whiteboard and presentation screen
The main lecture room
Arcus Helicopters Briefing Room 1, one of three private briefing rooms
Briefing Room 1
Arcus Helicopters social area with pool table, seating and meeting space
The social area

Somewhere to stay a while

Beside the office there is a pool table, sofas, a meeting table and the displays that record each year of Arcus flying. It is where people wait for weather, talk through a lesson afterwards and stay on long after the aircraft are back in the hangar.

The Arcus community

We do not just teach
people to fly.

We create opportunities to use the skill, share the experience and stay connected with the people met along the way.

Arcus Helicopters customers, pilots, friends and families together at a hangar gathering
Friends, students and pilots together in the Arcus hangar
01

Group fly-outs

Days away in helicopters, discovering new destinations and building confidence beyond familiar routes.

02

The annual spring party

A highlight in the Arcus calendar, bringing students, pilots, friends and the wider community together.

03

First solos and milestones

Celebrating the moments that matter, from a first hover to a licence, rating or new aircraft.

04

Flying together

Self-fly hire, shared knowledge, familiar faces and support that continues after training.

Life at Arcus

Follow the flying,
not just the company.

Social media is where the daily Arcus story lives: aircraft arrivals, student progress, fly-outs, training insight and the people who make the hangar feel like home.

InstagramFacebookTikTok
An Arcus student and team member playing pool in the social area
Arcus helicopter fleet arranged inside the hangar
Multiple helicopters gathered in a field during an Arcus fly-out

The Arcus Way

01

Known by name

Personal instruction and advice, never a production line.

02

Honest guidance

Clear conversations about costs, progress, careers and whether Arcus is the right fit for you.

03

Professional standards

Care, competence and aviation discipline underpin everything.

04

Here for the journey

A community and source of guidance from the first flight to wherever you want to go next.

Where to next

Keep exploring
Arcus.

Training

Helicopter training

Every course Arcus runs, from PPL(H) to advanced ratings.

Read more →Experience

Trial lessons

A briefing and time on the controls, from £259.

Read more →Keep flying

Self-fly hire

Aircraft access, fly-outs and staying current after you qualify.

Read more →

Speak to Arcus Helicopters

Come and see
the hangar.

Visit Nottingham Airport, meet the team and talk honestly about your flying. There is no pressure to commit.

Call us0115 982 6090Email usinfo@arcus-heli.com