Charter a helicopter

The helicopter is a fast and flexible mode of transportation. The advantage of this aircraft is that it can land almost anywhere, unlike planes. With a private helicopter, the boarding and landing can be done wherever you want, on a helipad, elsewhere than on an airfield.

Helicopter transport is ideal for urgent missions. Thanks to its small size and great adaptability, the helicopter can reach particular places very quickly. It is also a privileged way to reach an isolated place: an island, a ski resort or any other place that does not have an airfield or an airport. Indeed, no need for a landing strip to disembark from a helicopter.

How to rent a helicopter? The best way is to use an air broker. The air broker is an expert who mobilizes all his resources and his network to find the best aircraft and the most serious airline for your flight. To do this, you must request a quote. You then fill in a form with the aim of identifying your needs and expectations:

• Place of embarkation and destination
• Number of passengers you want to carry
• Weight of luggage
• Budget to be allocated to the transport by helicopter
• Type of aircraft desired

When you want to book a helicopter rental, the price is an important criterion. Filling out your quote request questionnaire carefully will help you determine a price that is as close to your budget as possible. The price of the flight can vary greatly. A helicopter flight for 2 people can be more expensive than if you rent one for a small group, for example.

Are you being offered a helicopter flight? This is an opportunity to take incredible tours that you will never forget.

You can choose to take a helicopter tour for a multitude of different occasions:

• A night flight for a marriage proposal for example
• A helicopter ride to celebrate a birthday
• A helicopter flight to celebrate a birthday
• A helicopter flight to celebrate a tour
• A helicopter flight initiation: take the controls for extraordinary sensations to live once in a lifetime!
  A helicopter ride for a breathtaking panorama seen from the sky
• A helicopter flight over the Mont Blanc
• Satisfy the need for a fast and flexible business aviation solution for your professional trip.

How much does a helicopter rental cost? Depending on the occasion you choose, the helicopter rental has a different price. The length of the flight, the distance and the number of passengers to be transported are some of the criteria that make the price of the rental vary.

There are about 80 different types of civil helicopters. Helicopters are classified by the competent bodies of the European Civil Aviation Authority, which sets the regulations. The categories take into account the maximum weight of the aircraft at the time of take-off. The weight of the number of passengers on board is therefore important. A helicopter flight for 2 people will probably be lighter than a group flight.

But in addition to the number of passengers and the weight carried, the type of aircraft used must also be taken into account. The capacities of a small helicopter are not necessarily the same as those of a larger, more robust one. Similarly, the weight of a French helicopter, the Eurocopter Ecureuil for example, is not the same as that of a Russian aircraft, such as the Mil Mi-8 heavyweight.

The three categories of helicopters are:

• Ultralight
• The light ones
• The heavy ones

The rental of a helicopter has a price that can vary depending on its capabilities and power. The maximum speed of a helicopter is 300 km/h. But not all helicopters can reach this speed. Their cruising speed depends on the size of the aircraft and its technology.

The helicopter flies over greater or lesser distances depending on its power.
The challenge for the aviation industry today is to maximize the power of the aircraft while taking into account their physical constraints. To do this, some manufacturers such as the American Lockheed Martin, the world’s leading defense and security company, are designing hybrid helicopters. This is for example the case of their S-97 Raider model, which reaches a record maximum speed of 463 km/h. This type of aircraft is built with two counter-rotating rotors that are associated with a propeller.

There are various possibilities for helicopter flights. Between first flights, day trips or simple connections between cities, here are some examples. If you are from or passing through the Paris area, it is possible to take a helicopter tour over the capital. From the heliport of Issy les Moulineaux, embark for about one hour of flight to discover Paris and its suburbs. You will fly over the district of La Défense, as well as the racecourses of Longchamp, while passing to see the monuments impossible to circumvent of the capital such as the Eiffel Tower or the Champs Elysées.

It is also possible to make real day trips. From Paris, embark on a trip to Normandy and the D-Day landing beaches. With your family or friends, discover Utah Beach, Deauville or Honfleur and Omaha Beach. A round trip by helicopter to discover the coasts of Calvados in Normandy for a day.

It is also possible to visit the Loire Valley Castles from the sky, in a helicopter. Listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO, fly over these castles that are an integral part of French history.

Finally, you can make a helicopter flight simply to reach a city more quickly. You can cross the French Riviera to link Cannes and Monaco for example.
It is possible to ask the specialists of business aviation to request a helicopter trip.

The cost of a helicopter flight will vary depending on the distance and the model of helicopter you will have.

A helicopter tour over Paris and its surroundings will cost you from 2200€ for a 5 seats helicopter. That is to say per person from 440 €.

For a one day escapade to visit the Normandy coast and the D-Day landing beaches, the price is as follows: from 7200 € for 5 passengers, or from 1440 € per person.
What you should also know is that these flights are tailor-made and the rates depend on the options you choose.

To visit the Chateaux of the Loire Valley from Paris, count from 9000 € for 5 people, or from 1800 € per person for the day of discovery.

Finally, for short trips such as a helicopter ride between Cannes and Monaco, count from 198 € per person.

In Europe, the cost of a helicopter hour can also vary according to the same factors as those mentioned above. In general, hourly rates are often expressed in euros. For smaller helicopters used for leisure or training flights, hourly rates can start at around 200 to 500 euros. For larger, more powerful helicopters used for professional flights, hourly rates can exceed several thousand euros, depending on various factors such as helicopter size, mission complexity and associated maintenance costs. For accurate estimates of costs in euros, we recommend contacting helicopter service providers in your area directly.

The minimum price of a helicopter can vary considerably depending on a number of factors, including model, age, condition and whether it’s new or used. For light and entry-level helicopters, prices can start at around a few hundred thousand euros or dollars for the simplest and oldest models on the second-hand market. However, new or more advanced helicopters can cost several million euros or dollars.

It’s also important to consider the costs of maintenance, insurance, fuel and pilot training, which can add considerably to the total cost of owning a helicopter. Before purchasing a helicopter, it is advisable to do thorough research, consult industry experts and take into account all the costs associated with owning and operating the aircraft.

Helicopters can land on helipads, which are facilities specially designed for helicopter take-off and landing. These helipads can be located on building rooftops, flat terrain or specially landscaped areas.

In the absence of a heliport, a helicopter can also land on flat terrain, such as fields, parks or open areas, provided they offer sufficient space and are safe for landing.

In some cases, airports have designated helicopter zones, allowing helicopters to take off and land from these areas, which are often equipped with specific equipment to meet helicopter requirements.

In addition, helicopters can sometimes land on sports fields, such as soccer pitches or golf courses, or on vacant or undeveloped areas, depending on safety and local regulations.

Finally, in specific situations, helicopters may land on ships at sea or offshore platforms, using landing zones specially designed for maritime operations.

The distance a helicopter can cover depends on a number of factors, including helicopter type, fuel capacity, payload, weather conditions and cruising speed. In general, helicopters are better suited to relatively short distances than airplanes.

Light helicopters used for leisure flights or short hauls can have a flight autonomy of around 2 to 4 hours and a maximum range of around 200 to 500 kilometers without refueling. Larger, more powerful helicopters used for professional or military missions may have greater autonomy and range, but are generally inferior to aircraft.

The cost of renting a helicopter is determined by several factors:

• Helicopter type: The model and size of the helicopter greatly influence the rental cost. Larger, more sophisticated helicopters generally have higher rental rates, due to their higher acquisition, operating and maintenance costs.
• Duration of rental: Rental costs can be calculated by the hour, day, week or month. Hourly rates may vary according to rental duration and helicopter availability.
• Distance and itinerary: Some operators may charge according to the distance flown or the itinerary planned, in addition to the flight time. Additional charges may apply for long-haul flights or complex itineraries.
• Flight hours: Rental costs are often based on the number of flight hours flown. Hourly rates may vary according to helicopter type, pilot availability and flight conditions.
• Additional charges: Additional charges may apply for optional services such as pilot services, insurance, landing fees, fuel costs, maintenance costs and cleaning costs.
• Geographical region: Rental rates may vary according to geographical region and local aviation regulations. Rates may be higher in densely populated urban areas or popular tourist destinations.