What Can I Expect

If you're on the Isle of Wight a helicopter ride is a must-do activity! Whether you live there or are just visiting, nothing beats seeing all the sights of the island from the air. These tours are unique in that they run out of Sandown Airport on the island.

Operating directly in and out of the very lovely Isle of Wight Sandown Airport, you couldn't possibly be better placed for your tour of the island by helicopter. Even the airport itself is a bit of a tourist attraction, with lots of events, plenty of flying and a really good Bistro on site too.

As soon as you are in the air, it's sight after sight after sight. The island is pretty small (it's 13 miles from Cowes to St Catherines and 23 miles from east to west), so you'll see lots on both the 15 and 30-minute tours by helicopter.

On the 15-minute ride you'll either head over to Ryde and Cowes, or to the other side of the island to St Catherine's lighthouse (made famous by the BBC's shipping forecast!). You'll be flying over beaches, villages and hamlets, natural beauty spots and more. It's an amazing flight path and all that on top of the thrill of being in an executive helicopter!

The extended Isle of Wight tour lasts 30-minutes and in that time you will fly around 55-miles. From the towns of Sandown and Shanklin, the ports and the harbours to waterfalls, gardens and vineyards, you'll see it all.

Highlights of this longer tour have to be the Cow and the Calf lighthouses at St Catherine's point and of course, Osborne House. The opulent and imposing Italianate villa was Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's beloved summer home and as HRH said herself, it's ‘impossible to imagine a prettier spot'.

For an authentic helicopter ride around the Isle of Wight actually taking off from the island, these are the tours for you!

When Is It Available

• Typically flights take place at least one weekend day per month, with occasional weekdays from April to October
• Dates and flight times are subject to availability and weather conditions

Suitable For

• Minimum age six
• Under 12s must be accompanied by a participating adult
• Maximum height 6ft 6ins
• Weight restrictions: maximum 15 stone*  please see anything else section

Spectators

• Spectators are welcome and may take photographs

Anything Else

• Photo ID and proof of address will be required on the day

• Flying activities have maximum weights (per seat) to ensure health and safety along with the comfort of fellow passenger
• You must enter passenger/participant weight at the time of booking an experience. If weight varies between the time of initial booking and date of flight experience it remains the responsibility of the customer to update their individual weight via their online account prior to flight
• All passengers will be weighed before flight and if disparity exists between weight disclosed and actual weight (within reason), the passenger may be illegible to fly

*  Pleasure Flights (Helicopter)

• Group size of One – Max 15 Stone (95kg)
• Group size of Two – Max 30 Stone (190kg)
• Group size of Three – Max 43 Stone (273kg)
• Group size of Four – Max 56 Stone (355kg)
• Group size of Five – Max 66 Stone (420kg)
• Group size of Six - Max 76 Stone (485kg) 

• Please note that the maximum weight limit for the Co Pilot Seat on a helicopter pleasure flight varies depending on aircraft and other operational considerations
• If as a party of one you weigh in excess of 15 stone, you may still be able to fly however you will need to purchase an additional seat. This seat will either have to remain unoccupied or can be occupied by an individual as long as the combined total as listed above is not exceeded