Henstridge Airfield Helicopter Lessons
Fly from Henstridge Airfield near Wincanton, close to the Somerset and Dorset border. Six helicopter lesson options operate here, with experiences starting from £149.
Henstridge Airfield
A working general aviation airfield near Wincanton on the Somerset and Dorset border, with resident and visiting aircraft, flying students and helicopter activity forming part of the everyday airfield environment. This is where the helicopter lessons on this page take place.
A Fleet Air Arm airfield with a genuine helicopter connection
Work on Henstridge began in 1941 and the airfield was commissioned in April 1943 as HMS Dipper, a Fleet Air Arm training station. Seafires, Spitfires, Typhoons and Miles Masters were among the aircraft operating here during the war.
One of the most distinctive features of the wartime airfield was a section of runway marked out as an aircraft carrier deck, complete with an arrestor wire so naval pilots could practise deck landings. After the war, Henstridge became a relief landing ground for RNAS Yeovilton.
Henstridge also has a direct place in British helicopter history. Alan Bristow established Air Whaling here in 1953 and founded Bristow Helicopters at Henstridge in 1955 before the company moved to Redhill. Flying has continued at the airfield in one form or another ever since.
Henstridge sits in south-east Somerset close to the Dorset border, near Wincanton and the A30/A357 corridor. The rural setting and mix of light aircraft, helicopters, microlights and gyrocopters give the venue a very different atmosphere from a large commercial airport.
A first helicopter lesson from a proper working airfield
Henstridge is very much a working general aviation airfield rather than a purpose-built experience venue. Resident and visiting light aircraft, Tiger Moths, microlights, gyrocopters and helicopters all form part of the wider airfield activity, while the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance is also based here.
Your own experience still begins in the same focused way: meeting the flying team and working through a pre flight briefing before you get into the helicopter. The controls, their effect and what to expect in the air are introduced before the flying phase.
Once you are in the flying position, the lesson becomes much more immediate. Small movements at the controls produce a response you can feel, with the instructor alongside to guide the flying and help you connect each control input with what the helicopter is doing.
Henstridge offers the full six-option range: Tactical Flying, Pilot Insights and 20, 30, 40 and 60 minute one to one lessons. That gives you a choice between a shared introduction, a broader pilot-focused experience or dedicated flying time with an instructor.
Helicopter lessons at Henstridge Airfield
Six current experiences operate from Henstridge, from the £149 shared Tactical experience through to Pilot Insights and a full 60 minutes of one to one flying.
Choose by format, flying time and how far into the experience you want to go.
Tactical Flying
A shared three-flight format combining observation and hands on flying.
Pilot Insights
A broader introduction to helicopter pilot training and career options, including a hands on flying lesson and time with qualified pilots.
20 Minute Helicopter Lesson
A straightforward introduction to helicopter flying with a qualified instructor.
30 Minute Helicopter Lesson
More time in the aircraft to experience the controls and how the helicopter responds.
40 Minute Helicopter Lesson
Longer one to one flying time to work with the controls under instructor guidance.
60 Minute Helicopter Lesson
A full hour in the air and the longest one to one lesson in the Henstridge range.
Getting to Henstridge Airfield
Henstridge Airfield is at Henstridge, Somerset BA8 0TN, near Wincanton and close to the Somerset and Dorset border. The airfield lies south of the A30, with the A357 providing the main north-south route through the Henstridge area.
Travelling from Wincanton and the north: use the A303 for Wincanton and follow the A357 south towards Henstridge. Once you reach the local Henstridge road network, use the final lesson arrival and meeting instructions supplied with your booking for the correct airfield entrance.
VIEW AIRFIELD MAPFrom Sherborne and the west, the A30 leads east towards Henstridge. From Shaftesbury and the east, follow the A30 west. The airfield sits south of the A30 near Henstridge Marsh.
Henstridge is a rural airfield rather than a passenger airport terminal, so the most useful final-stage information is the operator’s own meeting point and arrival instructions. Use those booking details for the last part of the journey rather than relying only on the postcode.
VIEW HENSTRIDGE AIRFIELD ON THE MAP →Giving a Henstridge helicopter lesson as a gift?
No previous helicopter flying experience is needed, and the recipient does not have to choose a flying date when you buy. Depending on the lesson selected, open dated vouchers are valid for 9 or 12 months.
The voucher also gives some geographical flexibility. It remains valid at any venue offering the same helicopter lesson, so the recipient is not limited to Henstridge if another participating location suits them better when they come to book.
Common questions about Henstridge Airfield helicopter lessons
Where is Henstridge Airfield?
Henstridge Airfield is near Wincanton in south-east Somerset, close to the Dorset border. The airfield postcode is BA8 0TN, with the A30 and A357 providing the main regional road approaches.
What kind of airfield is Henstridge?
Henstridge is an active general aviation airfield with flying students, resident and visiting aircraft, helicopters, microlights and gyrocopters. Its surviving asphalt runway is 06/24, with a physical length of 750 metres.
Which helicopter lesson options are available at Henstridge?
The current range includes the £149 shared Tactical Flying experience, Pilot Insights at £199, and 20, 30, 40 and 60 minute one to one lessons priced at £245, £295, £395 and £549 respectively.
Can I bring someone to watch my helicopter lesson?
Yes. The current lesson listings state that spectators are welcome and may take photographs. Follow any venue-specific spectator and arrival instructions supplied with your booking.
Do I need previous helicopter flying experience?
No previous helicopter flying experience is needed for these introductory experiences. The flying team provides the briefing and guidance for the lesson.
Can I buy a Henstridge helicopter lesson as a gift?
Yes. The current lesson range is available as experience vouchers. Open dated voucher validity is 9 or 12 months depending on the lesson selected.
What happens if the weather is unsuitable?
Helicopter flying is weather dependent. If conditions are unsuitable, follow the operator information supplied with your booking for the arrangements that apply.
Choose your helicopter lesson at Henstridge Airfield