Helicopter charter for country sports
Charter a private helicopter from the London Heliport in Battersea to a shooting, stalking or fishing estate and reach the Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland or the Scottish Highlands in a morning instead of a day.
Helicopter charter for shooting parties
We agree the landing with the estate and plan the day with you. Request a quote for your dates below, or call +44 (0)20 7781 8094.
- ★★★★★ 5 star rated on Trustpilot
- Landing agreed with the estate before you book
- Twin-engine helicopters, UK CAA AOC
- Quotes answered 24/7
Helicopter charter for country sports
Reach the estate in a morning, and be home for dinner
Shooting, stalking and fishing estates sit a long way from London and a long way from a station. A helicopter shortens the journey to the part of the day you came for.
- Fly from the London Heliport to Yorkshire in about 1 hr 05 to 1 hr 35, to Northumberland in about 1 hr 35 to 2 hr, and to Scotland in about 2 to 3 hours
- We agree the landing place and the time with the estate, so the helicopter does not disturb the day
- Twin-engine helicopters carrying 5 to 8 passengers, and room for the gear when we plan it with you
- A charter specialist on the phone, 24/7
The sporting seasons
When the main seasons open and close
Dates from BASC, the shooting organisation, for quarry in England and Scotland. Estates set their own guest dates, so check with yours.
| Red grouseThe Glorious Twelfth | 12 Aug to 10 Dec |
| PartridgeGrey and red-legged | 1 Sep to 1 Feb |
| PheasantEngland and Scotland | 1 Oct to 1 Feb |
| Red deer stag, EnglandOpen season | 1 Aug to 30 Apr |
| Red deer hind, EnglandOpen season | 1 Nov to 31 Mar |
| Red deer hind, ScotlandOpen season. Scottish stags have had no close season since 21 October 2023 | 21 Oct to 15 Feb |
Getting to the estate
Yorkshire, Northumberland and Scotland by helicopter
Each region has its own page, with the flight times and the landing sites we can confirm.
- Yorkshire: the Dales and the moors, about 1 hr 05 to 1 hr 35 in the air
- Northumberland: Alnwick and the borders, about 1 hr 35 to 2 hr
- Scotland: Perthshire and the Highlands, about 2 to 3 hours on a route we plan with you
- Stay overnight and fly back after the last drive or the last stalk, with the return agreed in advance
Guns, dogs and luggage
Planning the gear, the dogs and the weights
A sporting trip carries more than a weekend away, so we plan it with you.
- Tell us before you book if you are carrying guns or cartridges, because firearms have strict rules and each case is agreed with the crew in advance
- Dogs can travel by prior arrangement: tell us how many and how big
- Give us each passenger’s weight and the gear you are bringing, and we choose the right helicopter
- Soft bags and slips fit the hold better than hard cases
Landing at an estate
How we land at a sporting estate
We do not publish a list of estates, because none says it welcomes helicopters unless the owner agrees it for your date. This is how we arrange it.
We need the owner’s agreement and a suitable site before any landing. We ask the estate for both and agree the place, the time and the fee, if any, for your date. Read can a helicopter land at my venue?
We agree the arrival time and the landing place with the estate, so the helicopter does not disturb a drive, a stalk or the beats. The estate decides, and we plan around it.
Fields that have not been surveyed are for daylight use only, and midwinter days are short, so the flight and the return are planned around sunrise and sunset.
Firearms and ammunition have strict rules. Tell us what you are carrying and we agree it with the crew before the flight, and not on the day.
Dogs can travel by prior arrangement. Tell us how many, and how big, and we confirm the helicopter and the space.
We always agree a second landing option before the flight, for example an airfield and a car, in case of weather or a change at the estate.
How it works
Book your helicopter for a shooting or sporting trip in three steps
- 1Tell us where and whenThe date, how many of you are flying, where you want to land, and if you would like to return the same day or later.
- 2We agree the landing and your priceWe contact the airfield or site, ask for permission and agree a plan B. You then receive one clear price. Landing fees charged by the site are shown where they apply.
- 3Fly from BatterseaArrive at the London Heliport 10 minutes before departure. Your helicopter flies the direct line, above the roads.
Cost
How much is a helicopter for a shooting or sporting trip?
There is no single price for this flight, because it changes with the helicopter, the date, how many of you are flying, how long the helicopter waits and the landing fees at the other end.
Helicopters are priced by flying time, not by the mile. Tell us your plan and a charter specialist sends one clear price, any time of day or night.
- The type of helicopter, from the AS355 to the Agusta 109 Grand and the H145
- The date and the time of day
- One way, return, or a return with waiting time or an overnight stay
- Landing and handling fees at the other end
For examples of what other routes cost, see our helicopter hire prices page and how helicopter charter costs are calculated.
Your helicopter
Choose your helicopter
Pick by party size and style. We will advise on the best choice for your trip.
A reliable twin-engine helicopter and our most economical choice for a small party travelling light.
Quick and refined, with panoramic windows and a comfortable cabin for the flight north.
More room for a larger party, dogs and gear on a long flight. Ask us about availability for your dates.
Before you fly
What to know before flying for a shooting or sporting trip
We agree the landing with the estate when you book, and confirm it with the owner for your date. Every landing is subject to permission and site suitability, and we always agree a plan B.
Soft-sided bags fit a helicopter hold better than hard suitcases. Tell us how many bags you have, and each passenger’s weight, when you book, and we will confirm that everything fits.
Helicopters fly in suitable weather only. If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing, and we will work with you on the earliest alternative. Check conditions on our Battersea Heliport weather page. See also helicopter charter and the weather.
Arrive at the London Heliport 10 minutes before departure. Book as early as you can for the Glorious Twelfth and the peak pheasant weeks, and earlier for groups or larger helicopters.
Our partner Executive Global Travel can meet you with a chauffeur car, timed to the helicopter, so if the flight moves, the car moves with it.
The London Heliport is on the south bank of the Thames at Bridges Court, Battersea SW11 3BE. See getting there and the opening hours.
What our clients say
Helicopter charter reviews on Trustpilot
Rated 5.0 on Trustpilot from over 220 reviews.
“Stress free and the most amazing helicopter was a great entrance to the wedding.”
“Delivered on time and without any issues… the helicopter was clean and comfortable.”
“I cannot recommend enough and the whole trip was amazing.”
Questions
Helicopter charter for a shooting or sporting trip: your questions answered
Still unsure? Call +44 20 7781 8094 any time.
Can you fly me to a shooting estate?
Yes, where the landowner agrees and the site is suitable. We ask the estate for both, agree the landing place and the time with them, and plan an alternative such as an airfield and a car.
How much does a helicopter to a shooting estate cost?
The price changes with the helicopter, the distance, how many of you are flying, any waiting time or overnight stay and the landing fees. Tell us your plan and we send one clear quote. See helicopter hire prices for examples.
When does the shooting season start?
According to BASC, red grouse open on 12 August and close on 10 December, partridge run from 1 September to 1 February, and pheasant from 1 October to 1 February. Estates set their own guest dates, so check with yours.
What are the deer stalking seasons?
According to BASC, red deer stags in England are in season from 1 August to 30 April and hinds from 1 November to 31 March. In Scotland hinds are in season from 21 October to 15 February, and stags have had no close season since 21 October 2023.
Can I carry guns on the helicopter?
Firearms and ammunition have strict rules, so tell us before you book. We agree what can be carried with the crew in advance, and not on the day.
Can I bring my dogs?
Dogs can travel by prior arrangement. Tell us how many and how big, and we confirm the helicopter and the space.
Will the helicopter disturb the shoot?
We agree the landing place and the arrival time with the estate so that it does not. The estate decides when and where, and we plan the flight around it.
Can I fly there and back on the same day?
For Yorkshire it is realistic in the long days of late summer, and for Northumberland and Scotland it makes a very long day, so most guests stay a night. Tell us your plan and we plan around the daylight.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing. We work with you to find the earliest suitable alternative. See helicopter charter and the weather.
How many people can you carry?
The AS355 carries up to 5 passengers, the Agusta 109 Grand up to 6 and the H145 up to 8. For larger parties we can use more than one helicopter.
Helpful guides
Planning a sporting trip
Ready to fly?
Tell us where and when
A charter specialist will reply quickly, any time of day or night, with options and a price.
or call +44 20 7781 8094 any time