Helicopter taxi?

Voyager2002

A friend might need to get across England in minimal time to be with a relative following a medical emergency. Is there a way to charter a helicopter at short notice?

Rodders53

Try Google or Bing? with the phrase < charter a helicopter >

https://www.heliair.com/vip-helicopter-charter/ is just one example I found.

Zinger549

There are various company that offer helicopter charter. It's probably worth just having a google and giving some companies a call and see what they say.

MilesT6060842

Maybe just as good to have a long distance private hire car on standby, or a well researched list of trains and planes (and local taxi numbers) covering 24 hours for weekdays/weekends, taking into account engineering. Or a mixture of the two--long distance private hire one/both ends to take you to fast train or airport to cut as much time as possible.

I think you may find that the time taken to get to/from an appropriate public helipad (or agreed private land that is suitable and has been approved by the charter company--a cost/task in itself) will make a helicopter not worth it time wise, especially as it will also take time to call in the pilot, start the aircraft, file flight plans, and may be daylight hours/good weather only.  Getting to/from a general aviation airport for an aircraft charter may well be quicker (but many airports/charters may be daytime/good weather only).  Bigger secondary airports often also support general traffic (e.g. Luton, Bristol, Exeter, Norwich, Cambridge etc.) which can make ground transport a bit easier and quicker.

Voyager2002

Thank you for these responses: I shall pass them on.

martindow

Could you give an idea of the departure and arrival points?  This could help people suggest possibilities for different forms of transport.

DullGreyGuy

Voyager2002 said:

A friend might need to get across England in minimal time to be with a relative following a medical emergency. Is there a way to charter a helicopter at short notice?

You need to look at where they are going to and from... these things cannot just land anywhere and so you also need to add on the time and cost of getting to/from the heliport

I looked at it once and it was about £2,000 for London to Bristol and 50 minute flight time.  The train on the other hand is 90 minutes and so the difference in transport time could easily be offset by the travel time either end. if you were near Paddington then your on a direct train in 10 minutes but to get to Battersea you're 45 minutes plus then check-in, safety briefing etc... unless the heliport at the other end is better placed than the trainstation you are already going to be later arriving than on the train.

DietIrnBru

The Prime Minister?