Do you like going sightseeing? It’s something that we all want to do when we visit somewhere new, or even to get to know the place where we live better, but it can be a bit of a faff. Trying to navigate the city streets of an unknown place, standing in the cold outside old buildings and competing with other people for the best photo opportunities are just some of the annoyances that can almost put us off finding out what a city has to offer. Missing out on seeing the sights of this city in particular would be a great shame. It’s one of the most interesting cities in the country, whether it’s history, sport or culture that gets you going, and it has a unique character which makes all who know it feel welcome. So how can you make sure you get the best out of Newcastle, with none of the downsides of being a tourist? The sky’s the limit! Literally - you can take an airborne tour of the city and its surrounding area, getting the most breathtaking and exclusive views on offer.

Helicopters are the perfect aircraft for tourism. Like planes, they’re fast and agile, but they’re unique in that they can also hover in place to give passengers the chance to see every detail of the panorama below them. Add to that the comfort and style and you’ve got a winning combination. But sightseeing isn’t the only reason to get into a helicopter - you can also become a pilot for a day, with a flying lesson. And on top of that, it also boasts one of the finest aviation simulator centres in the UK, which allows you to experience flight without having to get airborne! Anyone with a passion for flying will find an experience that suits them here, and at a price which makes it impossible to say no.

Takeoff point options & duration

- To see the city like never before, you’ve got to take a pleasure flight from Newcastle International Airport. You’ll be taken for a spin by a fantastic pilot, who’s also your tour guide. They’ll make sure that you’re comfortable in the cabin before take off, and that you don’t miss a thing during the tour. If you’re nervous about flying, you can take a 5 minute, 6 mile, buzz around the area, but if you want to get a good look at the area you should go for a 15 or 30 minute flight.

- The Airport will also be the scene of a trial lesson for all those with their sights set on the skies. You can choose 20, 30 or 60 minutes of airtime for the experience, during which the pilot will show you the controls and let you take a turn at them.

- There are days when getting into the skies above the city isn’t the most attractive option. It could be raining heavily, blowing a gale, or you might just be desperate to get away from it all for a while. That’s when a simulated helicopter flight comes into its own. You’ll climb into a real fuselage, and then have the choice of numerous locations around the world for your flight. The software works in combination with authentic controls and high definition screens to bring the experience to life. Sessions of 15, 30 and 45 minutes are available.

What can you see on a helicopter tour over Newcastle upon Tyne?

• City Centre: Has thousands of years of history, and that’s obvious as soon as you get into the air because you can see the line of the Roman Emperor Hadrian’s Wall cutting across the country and passing right through the city. Other historic landmarks to marvel at are the castle, which gave the city its name, and St Nicholas’ Cathedral, whose tower doubled up as a lighthouse in the middle ages. Flying over the River Tyne is also a journey through time, told by the 7 bridges that cross it. From the Victorian era High Level Bridge and Swing Bridge to the “winking eye” millennium bridge, these are some of this area's engineering triumphs.

• Sports Stadiums: Are you a football fan? Or is rugby more your thing? Whichever you prefer, you’re covered on a flight around here. Soon after leaving the airport, you’ll pass the Kingston Park ground, home of the city’s rugby union and league sides - the Falcons and Newcastle Thunder. Next up come St James’ Park, where the Magpies - that’s Newcastle United - contest their home fixtures in the Premier League. And as if that wasn’t enough, a tour can also take in the rival stadium - Sunderland AFC’s Stadium of Light.

• Monuments: This city is also blessed with some fantastic, large scale works of art - and the best way to see them is from the air. At 20 metres tall and 54 metres wide, the Angel of the North is a huge public artwork that sits on the southern approach to the city. It’s seen by upwards of 33 million people a year, but not many of them will look at it eye to eye. Not far away is the Penshaw Monument, a recreation of an Ancient Greek temple that stands on top of a green hill overlooking the area.

• Wherever you want: As we mentioned, if you choose a session in the flight simulator, you can decide where you take your flight. Famous city skylines, natural landscapes or endless ocean, you’re in charge.

Requirements to do this activity

You can enjoy flying in a helicopter, or even flying it yourself, from the tender age of 12 years old. Yes, you read that right, you can get into a real helicopter here and have a go at the controls before you become a teenager. But if you can’t wait that long, the flight simulator is open to even younger children. The flights from Newcastle International Airport use a 4 seater aircraft, a Robinson R44, so there can be 3 passengers on pleasure flights and 2 spectators during a trial flight.

There’s really nothing like it to give you a new perspective on the city, come for a helicopter flight in Newcastle sooner rather than later!