Robinson R22
Two seats and direct, responsive handling. The classic training helicopter and an intimate introduction to flight.
Maximum 14 stone (90 kg)
Helicopter trial lessons · Nottingham Airport
A proper helicopter lesson with an expert briefing and time at the controls. Buy for yourself, or send it as an unforgettable gift.
Three ways to fly
Two seats and direct, responsive handling. The classic training helicopter and an intimate introduction to flight.
Maximum 14 stone (90 kg)A larger four-seat piston helicopter offering more space and a little more presence on the ramp.
Maximum 18 stone (115 kg)The iconic turbine-powered helicopter experience, with a distinctive sense of occasion from start-up onwards.
Maximum 18 stone (115 kg)Buy your trial lesson
Prices include VAT and come straight from the Arcus trial-lesson catalogue, so what you see here is always current.
Sixty minutes is where most people start: a 30-minute briefing, then 30 minutes in the air with your hands on the controls.
The R44 and the Bell 206 have the larger cabin. The JetRanger is the turbine one, and it feels like it from start-up onwards.
The R22 is limited to 14 stone (90 kg). The R44 and the Bell 206 both take up to 18 stone (115 kg).
30 minutes flying60 minutes experience
Two seats, the classic trainer
30-minute briefing · 30 minutes flight
Maximum 14 stone (90 kg)Most popular
30 minutes flying60 minutes experience
Four seats and more room
30-minute briefing · 30 minutes flight
Maximum 18 stone (115 kg)
30 minutes flying60 minutes experience
Turbine, with a sense of occasion
30-minute briefing · 30 minutes flight
Maximum 18 stone (115 kg)Best for those thinking about learning
60 minutes flying90 minutes experience
Two seats, the classic trainer
30-minute briefing · 60 minutes flight
Maximum 14 stone (90 kg)60 minutes flying90 minutes experience
Four seats and more room
30-minute briefing · 60 minutes flight
Maximum 18 stone (115 kg)60 minutes flying90 minutes experience
Turbine, with a sense of occasion
30-minute briefing · 60 minutes flight
Maximum 18 stone (115 kg)A trial lesson is a real flying lesson with a qualified instructor, so the flight time is logged and counts towards the 45 hours of flight instruction a PPL(H) requires. If you decide to carry on, none of it is wasted. More about the PPL(H)
Bring people with you
A trial lesson is one student and one instructor, so nobody else can be in the helicopter. That does not mean they have to be left at home. Family and friends are welcome to come along, watch you go and be here when you land.
There is plenty of room to sit down and make yourself at home while you fly, and the same is true if you arrive early or the weather needs half an hour to clear.
Giving it as a gift?
Choose the experience now and arrange the flying date later. The voucher is valid for 12 months from purchase, and if the weather is unsuitable on the day the Arcus team will simply reschedule.
Before you buy
It is an instructional flying experience. After the briefing, your instructor will invite you to handle the controls when it is safe to do so.
No. Trial lessons are for the student and instructor only, so accompanying passengers cannot travel in the helicopter during the lesson. Friends and family are very welcome to come to the airfield and watch.
Choose the R22 for the classic two-seat trainer, the R44 for additional space, or the Bell 206 JetRanger for a turbine helicopter experience. If you are unsure, ring us and we will talk it through rather than sell you the dearest one.
Yes, and they are set for safety. The maximum student weight is 14 stone (90 kg) for R22 experiences and 18 stone (115 kg) for the R44 and Bell 206 JetRanger. Please tell us your weight honestly when booking.
Helicopter flying is weather dependent. Where conditions are unsuitable Arcus will reschedule your flight at no extra cost. That decision always rests on safety.
Arcus trial-lesson vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Please book well ahead of the expiry date, as availability cannot be guaranteed at short notice.
Comfortable clothing and practical footwear. Arcus will send joining instructions before the flight with anything else you need to know.
At Arcus Helicopters, Nottingham Airport, Tollerton Lane, Tollerton, Nottingham, NG12 4GA. There is parking on site.
I can’t thank Jamie, David and the rest of the team enough for helping to make a childhood dream a reality.David PRead more testimonials →
Not sure which to choose?
Tell us who it is for and what you are hoping they get out of it, and we will point you to the right experience.