This is excellent! I'm hour building in a Cabri and R44 at the moment, over two years into my journey to CPL(H). I'm planning this very flight soon, and can't wait!
Gained my PPL from Elstree in the 80’s & passengers always wanted to see London from the air. In those days London City airport or O2 Arena didn’t exist so we had more freedom around London Bridge area. Great video with lots of memories for this old boy, thanks Jon.
AMAZING! thank you so much for this ride..London is my favorite city of all that I have been to, and I love the helicopter and drone views. You seem to enjoy the ride as much as we that just watching. Thanks again.
Great video. FYI, when you are on Helicopter Route H4 (the river), you are exempt from the restricted areas, they also extend to 1400', so twin engined helicopters can route direct on top.
What an experience! Looking forward to the next video, recognised Earls Colne straight away on the trail there :) I have my first crack at night circuit flying there tonight and flying the PA28 tomorrow up to Old Buck weather permitting! It is rather narrow isn't it!?
You really have to be on top of radio work - in a fixed-wing you can write down the squawk, QNH, route, clearance limit etc, but heli pilots don’t have a spare hand...
thankss soo,, i want to watch take off and landing detail if possible, engine sound when starting ,, it sound very interesting by me..During landing airplane wheels hitting the ground its too better
Yes it is true they do have window cleaners I was on the 73rd floor and they arrived out side on a cradle and gave us a wave at first I thought I was seen things but every one waved back so I knew I was not imagining things must have been cold out there because they was all padded up and gloves on
It's always an extra bonus when the controllers you're speaking with sound so jolly & happy. Is this just the typical "British Etiquette" or are there some really angry & grumpy sounding controllers as well ? Lol.....just having a friendly poke atcha from Michigan. Nice Video 👍
I have two memorable helicopter flights under my belt. The first was a flight over Dublin bay to have a look at the Aircraft Carrier USS JFK when she visited in July 1996. The second was a flight back to Cairns Australia from a helipad in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef. Fantastic flights both but I am still a fixed wing aerosexual. :-)
From the video it looked like you went out to the QEII bridge over the Thames to avoid the City airport class D. From Biggin why don't you request a transit across the Class D over the Isle of Dogs to the Lee Valley and then west straight to Elstree after you leave controlled airspace.? It seems it would be much quicker than going via Staplefield and you avoid all the congestion over Staplefield. I used to fly to Duxfield from Redhill frequently, and fly to the West of Biggin and request a transit of the zone. I was never refused.
+Felix Wilson I’m afraid not in a single engine aircraft. The CAA I think has said the Thames does not constitute a ‘glide clear’ option for a fixed wing.
The best helicopter vide over London EVER, just awesome - thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it David.
This is excellent! I'm hour building in a Cabri and R44 at the moment, over two years into my journey to CPL(H). I'm planning this very flight soon, and can't wait!
Great video - nice to see the Cabri G2 in action!
Gained my PPL from Elstree in the 80’s & passengers always wanted to see London from the air. In those days London City airport or O2 Arena didn’t exist so we had more freedom around London Bridge area. Great video with lots of memories for this old boy, thanks Jon.
Glad you enjoyed this Michael.
Strange but could feel that turn, agree with you, great way to see London ✈️
It was pretty sharp!!
AMAZING! thank you so much for this ride..London is my favorite city of all that I have been to, and I love the helicopter and drone views. You seem to enjoy the ride as much as we that just watching. Thanks again.
I got the best view in the city...
Really great stuff. You’ll be the next Anika Rice!!!!
I loved Treasure Hunt.
Great video. FYI, when you are on Helicopter Route H4 (the river), you are exempt from the restricted areas, they also extend to 1400', so twin engined helicopters can route direct on top.
Ah. I see. Thank you.
Great video thank you both!
As a PPL ,you just can't help smiling when watching a flight like this... it is astonishing!
Thanks for watching.
Loved the moment of the radio check...
I know...it was funny!
Remembering those long clearances (mostly) is pretty impressive!
Usually doable from familiarity.
Thanks for the interesting video, good pictures and audio as well.
Cheers Joe.
Wow thought you were a gonner in that turn thank goodness for the old 4 point harnesses!
It was steep.
Great video, I had always assumed RT over London would have been a lot busier and stressful!
I think this frequency is for VFR traffic in the London City/Heathrow zone, so there's not much. (don't quite me!)
Interesting trip Jon. Looked like great fun. I recognise the steep turn laugh as the same one as launching off the Nayland hill! 😀
+Jodel Flyer I'm obviously predictable! Thanks Tim.:)
Brilliant and great flying
+Michael Miklos cheers Michael.
One of the best videos so far, Jon. Congrats on nearly 5k subs and getting so many great experiences.
Thanks Michael.
Great video Jon. That heli is lovely and the views over London were ace. Top work.
Thanks Rory!
Very enjoyable thank you both
My pleasure.
Loved this one. Be careful or you may catch a helicopter addiction!
Thanks. I dont think so, very difficult to fly.
Wow what an experience! Simply Amazing!!!!
It certainly was!
What an experience! Looking forward to the next video, recognised Earls Colne straight away on the trail there :) I have my first crack at night circuit flying there tonight and flying the PA28 tomorrow up to Old Buck weather permitting! It is rather narrow isn't it!?
Thanks Dave. Yes, narrow. I was using the grass runway to judge my approach, as the aspect of the narrow tarmac made it difficult to judge.
Great stuff
Thanks Anthony.
You really have to be on top of radio work - in a fixed-wing you can write down the squawk, QNH, route, clearance limit etc, but heli pilots don’t have a spare hand...
thankss soo,, i want to watch take off and landing detail if possible, engine sound when starting ,, it sound very interesting by me..During landing airplane wheels hitting the ground its too better
Excellent video, keep up the good work :-)
Thanks Rob.
Yes it is true they do have window cleaners I was on the 73rd floor and they arrived out side on a cradle and gave us a wave at first I thought I was seen things but every one waved back so I knew I was not imagining things must have been cold out there because they was all padded up and gloves on
It's always an extra bonus when the controllers you're speaking with sound so jolly & happy. Is this just the typical "British Etiquette" or are there some really angry & grumpy sounding controllers as well ? Lol.....just having a friendly poke atcha from Michigan. Nice Video 👍
Hi Eric. Our controllers are usually very chirpy and friendly. The odd one or two have a bad day now and then...but don't we all.
06:16 I can see my flat! Great video, thanks for sharing. I guess you got quite close to the Shard?
I think we were probably about 700ft or so, from memory.
I have two memorable helicopter flights under my belt. The first was a flight over Dublin bay to have a look at the Aircraft Carrier USS JFK when she visited in July 1996. The second was a flight back to Cairns Australia from a helipad in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef. Fantastic flights both but I am still a fixed wing aerosexual. :-)
Fixed wing aerosexual! Brilliant.
From the video it looked like you went out to the QEII bridge over the Thames to avoid the City airport class D. From Biggin why don't you request a transit across the Class D over the Isle of Dogs to the Lee Valley and then west straight to Elstree after you leave controlled airspace.? It seems it would be much quicker than going via Staplefield and you avoid all the congestion over Staplefield.
I used to fly to Duxfield from Redhill frequently, and fly to the West of Biggin and request a transit of the zone. I was never refused.
Hi. I don't like the glide-clear options going over that way, personally.
Jon, how can we see the video of the trip to Elstree please? I think you said supporters page? Where can we find it? Thanks.
Hi Brian. Details here. www.jonhunt.net/bonus/
What was the freq at 7:42?
Woah, don't think I'd have kept my cool through that turn.
It was fun!
So having experienced both what’s your preference?
I love that you can go anywhere, and at any speed in the heli. But I love my fixed wing for touring.
OMG A Cabri G2 Crashed today! In a mid air collision with a C152
Just dreadful. :(
Just wondering is this also possible on a fixed wing aircraft like a C152 with a ppl licence?
Ppl licence with no ratings
+Felix Wilson I’m afraid not in a single engine aircraft. The CAA I think has said the Thames does not constitute a ‘glide clear’ option for a fixed wing.
The Flying Reporter aha makes sense I suppose. Fantastic video though mate!
If Jack wants another excuse to do the same flight I would be happy to join him 😉😁
Not much in the way of views, I didn't want to see you two !!!