Renting a helicopter?

-Exodus- · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:14

hey there, i was wanting to know does anyone have experience in renting helicopters? this year for my final year school formal me and a few friends....probably up to 6 at most are wanting to rent a helicopter to make an enterance

i'm having problems finding a company, as i live in northern ireland, i was talking to one company but they will not fly after sunset which is estimated at 5.20 on the day of the formal which is no good as it starts at about 7.30, is this a standard rule for companies or purely because that company doesn't have the license to fly at night or what?

any suggestions would be great. what sort of prices would we be looking to pay? £100 or so a piece?

Bennie-Mac · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:19

Where abouts do you live in NI? Newtownards has a small airfield and i know they allow people to rent helicopters (with a trained pilot obviously)

tres · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:19

at least for a private chopper, more like £150 i'd say

though helicopters are boring

skydive into your formal

rsatd · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:20

Hmmh, best guess is that they don't want to land in a residential area at night as who knows what may be there, getting in the way of rotating blades and what not. Afraid can't help more then that.

GravyMonster · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:22

trescodrucey said:
skydive into your formal

This. Dressed in a tux. Then walk up to the bar and order a martini.

All women around you will melt into a puddle.

-Exodus- · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:24

one of my friends involved in this, his old neighbour has his on private chopper so fingers crossed we might be able to get him to do it, if not renting is the only option.

Bennie-Mac said:
Where abouts do you live in NI? Newtownards has a small airfield and i know they allow people to rent helicopters (with a trained pilot obviously)

yes they are the company i have spoke with, unfortuantly they will not fly after sunset.

Spunkey said:
This. Dressed in a tux. Then walk up to the bar and order a martini.

All women around you will melt into a puddle.

yes we will go down as legends in school history

JBuk · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:24

rsatd said:
Hmmh, best guess is that they don't want to land in a residential area at night as who knows what may be there, getting in the way of rotating blades and what not. Afraid can't help more then that.

not to mention landing in an area in the dark and that is unfamiliar

you would have to ask one of the companies if there are any rules about it and what they are, its possible no companies will do it after dark

Cosimo · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:24

Sounds to me that you need air sea rescue, get a life

Jamesdavid3 · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:28

hmmm when the helicopter drops you guys off is anyone even going to be around to see it? because im sure it wont land where your formal thing is...

Hedge · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:31

What a pube

-Exodus- · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:32

Jamesdavid3 said:
hmmm when the helicopter drops you guys off is anyone even going to be around to see it? because im sure it wont land where your formal thing is...

well we are talking with the hotel it's at, we are waiting for them to get back to us, talking about cornering off a section of the carpark

i know this is a stupid idea, just really curious if it is possible

Hedge said:
What a pube

good input lad

Bennie-Mac · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:32

trescodrucey said:
skydive into your formal

Just make sure some clever clogs hasnt already rented a helicopter and its waiting in your landing zone! Messy stuff them guts.

misterPK · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:35

Hmm, well if there's a big screen type thing at the venue I think you should try faking it with the aid of a small model!

PK!

Sawell · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:36

Or you could just turn up in a car.

bledd · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:39

Spunkey said:
This. Dressed in a tux. Then walk up to the bar and order a martini.

All women around you will melt into a puddle.

The Dread Pirate · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:41

misterPK said:
Hmm, well if there's a big screen type thing at the venue I think you should try faking it with the aid of a small model!

PK!

and some explosives you blow up the model and set off some pyrotechnics in the car park kicking up loads o smoke then you emerge from the smoke in pristine tux & tails

Bennie-Mac · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:44

Don a flameproof suit and run in on fire. Casually order a beer, turn to hot girls and say "Is it just you or is it hot in here" wink at her, then burn to death. Chicks love that!

Scuzi · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:48

I know of a few people and companies in NI that you can rent a helicopter from. there is a problem though. None of them will fly you in after sunset.

1- Helicopters can fly at night without a problem but they cannot land at a private site (i.e. somewhere that isn't an airport or helipad) after sunset. It's illegal and dangerous.
2 - For a 2 seater helicopter meaning only 1 passenger, it will cost you in the region of £250. for a 4 seater Robinson R44 with 3 passenger, the price will be closer to £500. For a Bell 206 Jetranger which is what most people think of when you say helicopter, the price will be closer to £1000. It's not cheap.
3 - Even if you do it before sunset, at this time of the year especially the weather can be adverse. Imagine how gutted you'd be if you flew there, couldn't land and had to fly back to the airport whilst having spent hundreds of pounds essentially for nothing.

Looks like it's a limo for you.

GravyMonster · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:50

Well thats urinated all over his chips.

*edit*
Sorry mods, didn't realise that counted as a naughty word.

bledd · 12 Jan 2009 at 16:51

Scuzi said:
1- Helicopters can fly at night without a problem but they cannot land at a private site (i.e. somewhere that isn't an airport or helipad) after sunset. It's illegal and dangerous.

easy

knock over rugby posts H and land on that