Once a small town, Manchester rose to international prominence during the industrial revolution. It became the first centre of mass production in the world, with one third of the world’s cotton going through the spinning process in the mid 19th century in the city and nearby towns of Oldham and Bolton, earning them nicknames such as Cottonopolis and Spindleton. Even since the decline of the cotton industry, there’s plenty here that’s still spinning - from the vinyl on the decks of the best nightclubs in the country, to the blades of the helicopters at the airport. We’re offering you the chance to ride in one of these helicopters, the pinnacles of industrial design which all kicked off in Greater Manchester, to enjoy the thrills of flight and the sights of the region.

Thsi region includes many significant towns and cities - Salford, Stockport and Wigan to name a few - which combine to form the largest urban conurbation in the country. But that doesn’t mean that an aerial view of the region only comprises roofs, factories and motorways. The centre is connected to the sea by the Manchester Ship Canal which passes through a large agricultural zone before running alongside the River Mersey and reaching the Irish Sea. On the south side of the canal is the idyllic landscape of rural Cheshire, where rolling hills are populated by stately homes. Whether you’re going for a short spin around the airport, or a longer excursion, there’s a lot that’s worth seeing with the unique point of view that a helicopter can give you.

Takeoff point

Anyone who wants to know what it’s like to take to the air in a helicopter should set their sat navs for the Heliport of City Airport in Barton. This is located a little over 5 miles from the city centre, so an aerial escape is much more accessible than you might think! Once you’re in the air, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding area, taking in urban landmarks, historical features and open countryside.

Where can you go on a helicopter tour from Greater Manchester?

• Immediate area: The airport sits on the north bank of the Manchester Ship Canal, near to the point where the Bridgewater Canal crosses over it at the unique Swing Aqueduct, the only construction of its kind in the world and a highlight of Victorian engineering. Looking towards the skyline, you’ll gaze over the Trafford Estate, the world’s first purpose built industrial estate which is also the largest to this day. Looking West, the landscape is an intense green due to the large agricultural region which stretches towards Warrington and Liverpool.

• Chester: Crossing the wide expanse of the Mersey Estuary you’ll get to the historic cathedral city of Chester. Famous for its Roman walls which are in amazingly good condition after nearly 2000 years of wear and weathering. The mediaeval cathedral is also an amazing site, with towers and spires constructed from pale sandstone which gives the building a distinctive character. Other buildings to enjoy from the air are the black and white half timbered houses in the centre that could have been plucked out of Tudor England and placed here.

• Eaton Hall: South of Chester in the green countryside of Cheshire sits Eaton Hall, the country house of the Duke of Westminster. Formal gardens surround the mansion and contain fountains, outbuildings and a chapel. It’s only open to the public on a handful of days in the year, but you can get a bird’s eye view of it when you choose.

• Catton Hall: Another impressive building in the Cheshire landscape is Catton Hall. This is no longer the stately home of a wealthy family, but an outdoor activity centre. You can organise a day out that’s packed with adventure that starts with a helicopter flight to the centre, where you can take part in one of a range of exciting activities, before climbing back into the chopper for the return journey.

Options for organising this experience

- Pleasure or scenic flights in Greater Manchester are a fantastic way to break up the routine of day to day life. After all, how often do you get the thrill of ascending into the air and soaring through the skies in such a stylish way? But we understand that you might be nervous about the experience the first time you try it, so we’re happy to say that you can take a quick ride of just 5 minutes and find out if it’s for you. We think it will be, and when you come back you’ll want to take a longer flight. In just 15 minutes, you can fly over 25 miles around the area, while to reach Chester in Cheshire you need a 1 hour flight. A combination activity of flight and outdoor experiences at Catton Hall is a plan for a full day.

- If riding as a passenger isn’t enough for you, why not become a pilot yourself? The best way to begin is by taking a trial lesson. With either 30 minutes or 60 minutes in the air, you’ll have the chance to take the controls of the helicopter from the pilot and experience the reality of flying one of these machines. Lessons take place in Robin R22 and R44 models, or the pride of the fleet - a Eurocopter EC120.

Requirements to do this activity

Flying in a helicopter is an activity that the whole family can enjoy. There are no strict limits on the age of passengers, but children need to be able to sit upright in a seat. Most kids of 3 or 4 years of age should be able to do this. As with any kind of flight, weight has to be taken into account when planning a ride. In general, all passengers should weigh under 14 stone, or 90 kilograms, but there’s some leeway as long as the combined weight of the passengers doesn’t exceed the limit for the helicopter. For example, in a 4 seater one with 3 passengers, their combined weight shouldn’t be over 42 stone, or 270 kilograms.

This is an unmissable opportunity for you, just let us know when you’re free and we’ll organise you a trip!