Chartering a helicopter in Australia is the best way to travel with efficiency, speed, and in style. Although ground travel is the standard, it's slow and tedious, unlike helicopter travel, which really couldn't be any faster or more luxurious.
Helicopter charters in Australia are available for a variety of purposes, including scenic, winery and restaurant tours, for private travel to remote locations, weddings, and conference venues, and airport travels. The cost to charter a helicopter in Australia generally starts at $1,500, particularly for VIP services.
Table of Contents
- Types of Helicopters Available for Charter
- Common Occasions for Helicopter Hire
- Special Events and Weddings
- Winery and Restaurant Tours
- Executive Transfers and Corporate Travel
- Scenic Flights
- Regional Property Access
- Airport Transfers
- Helicopter Charter Pricing Structure Based on Duration
- Factors That Influence Helicopter Charter Pricing
Types of Helicopters Available for Charter
One of the main factors to consider when determining how much a helicopter charter in Australia will cost you, is the type of helicopter. Helicopters can differ quite widely in performance, size, engine type, onboard comfort, and capacity.
In Australia, you'll generally find charter operators with fleets that range from light single engine helicopters to twin engine executive helicopters designed for long range travel and executive use.
Light Single-Engine Helicopters - The Robinson R44 & R66
Light helicopters such as the Robinson R44 and the slightly larger Robinson R66 are designed for short-distance travel for up to four passengers.
These are the most economical types of helicopters to charter, and they're ideal for quick and private airport transfers, winery visits, and proposals alike. Respectively, the R44 seats three passengers and the R66 seats four passengers.
They have a cruising speed of up to 200 kilometres an hour and a range of approximately 500 kilometres.
Rotor One features a Robinson R44 in its lineup, as it is one of the most popular options for short charters and scenic flights alike. With enough space to seat you and a small group, and enough speed to get to your destination without wasting time, the Robinson R44 is an impressive machine to say the least.
On that note, Rotor One also features the larger and more powerful Robinson R66 in its lineup, a perfect choice for short-range charters and scenic flights alike. It might not be a very large helicopter, but it's ideal for smaller groups, especially for those who want to travel in comfort and style.
Medium Single-Engine Helicopters - Airbus H125/AS350 & Bell 407
We then have medium-sized helicopters, generally turbine powered models, with the Airbus H125 or Airbus AS350 being a prime example.
These are generally larger in size and offer greater performance and comfort. These helicopters can seat anywhere from five to seven people, feature a cruising speed of 220 to 240 kilometres per hour, and a maximum range of roughly 600 kilometres.
Due to their greater size and increased comfort level, they're ideal for full day winery tours, weddings, and VIP events. While the larger size, higher capacity and payload, and greater distance capabilities may cost slightly more than a light helicopter, the benefits are clear.
The same can also be said for the Bell 407, a fantastic single-turbine helicopter that can travel at up to 240 kilometres per hour, enough seating for six, and a luxurious interior that features plush seating, air conditioning, large windows, and plenty of leg room, it's an excellent helicopter for small and medium groups to charter to weddings, conferences, concerts, and any other high-profile event.
Twin-Engine Helicopters - The Bell 429 Twin-Engine IFR
We then have twin engine helicopters, which are generally the largest and most powerful. A prime example of this is the Bell 429, which seats up to eight passengers, can travel at up to 260 kilometres per hour, and has a maximum operational distance of nearly 800 kilometres.
Due to the much larger size of this helicopter, as well as the VIP comfort features, you can expect to pay premium prices for for the Bell 429. These helicopters are ideal for traveling long distances, traveling in poor weather, and for anyone who needs VIP treatment.
Another premiere example is the Augusta AW109 Grand, a helicopter with a maximum distance of well over 800 kilometres and top speeds ranging up to 285 kilometres per hour. Its Pratt & Whitney engines deliver reliable and steady power for a smooth ride. Aside from its plush leather seats, it also features a noise-insulated cabin for a quiet ride.
These helicopters feature all of the amenities that a VIP or celebrity could need for a medium or long-range trip. If it's the ultimate in luxury and sophistication that you require, the Bell 429 Twin-Engine IFR is certainly one of the best helicopters to charter.
Common Occasions for Helicopter Hire
The fact is that helicopter charters are versatile and can be used for a wide range of personal events and corporate purposes alike. Here are some of the most common reasons to hire a helicopter charter.
Special Events and Weddings
When it comes to special events like that big day, your marriage, arriving by a helicopter adds a certain something to the occasion. Couples often use helicopter transfers to get to remote wedding venues, for aerial photo shoots, and for private scenic flights after the ceremony. Just imagine flying to your own wedding in a luxury Rotor One helicopter.
This means that you get to enjoy your wedding day without having to worry about the drive or traffic, not to mention that showing up in a helicopter will certainly get people talking. If you think that showing up one horseback is elegant, just wait until you see the look on people's faces when you touch down in a state-of-the-art chopper.
Winery and Restaurant Tours
One of the most popular use cases for helicopter charters in Australia is for restaurant and winery tours. There are plenty of regions in Australia, such as the Hunter Valley and Yarra Valley, which are well known for their stellar cellar doors and cool climate wine varieties.
Hiring a VIP helicopter charter allows visitors to enjoy wine tastings and gourmet lunches at various high end restaurants without the hassle of having to drive.
Executive Transfers and Corporate Travel
Another popular reason to hire a helicopter charter is for executive transfers and corporate travel period if you're a business person or looking to attend a corporate conference, this is likely time sensitive.
This means that you will likely benefit from swift and efficient means of travel, such as a helicopter charter. Helicopter charters can fly to and from a number of locations throughout Australia, allowing for fast and private travel.
With fantastic machines such as the Bell 429, corporate members and executives can travel in style. Remember, these helicopters are outfitted with all of the bells and whistles, including, but not limited to, air conditioning, noise-canceling headsets, plush leather seating, great window views, and about as much leg room as one could ask for in a helicopter.
It's the perfect way for executives to travel, especially for those who need to get to their destination with speed and in comfort.
Scenic Flights
Scenic flights are another popular reason why many people hire helicopter charters. For instance, getting to see Sydney Harbour or the 12 Apostles is always nice, but you have to drive there, not to mention the fact that seeing them from the ground it just doesn't offer the same perspective as from the air. If you're looking to go sightseeing, there's no better way to do so than by air.
Regional Property Access
For some people, getting to remote locations can be a challenge. If you're an investor, property agent, more developer, you might need to use a helicopter charter to inspect rural farms, regional developments, and promote properties. If you're traveling to areas with limited road access, a helicopter charter is a much easier mode of travel than driving.
For example, Rotor One is able to get you to the Southern Highlands, Blue Mountains, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, and even far more secluded areas, whether for property assessment, site inspection, or anything in between.
Airport Transfers
A simple reason why helicopter chargers are so popular is because they let you bypass congestion and traffic within cities. If you're looking to travel between major airports and cities, a helicopter charter is the best mode of travel.
For instance, with Rotor One, you can get from Melbourne Airport to Yarra Valley in 20 minutes or less. Rotor One offers a wide variety of airport transfer services in and around Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, so you can get to and from your airport of choice with minimal hassle.
Helicopter Charter Pricing Structure Based on Duration
There are generally three main categories for pricing helicopter charter including hourly rates, half day or full day rates, and multi day charters.
Hourly Rates
Many helicopter chartered companies operate using hourly rates, with hourly pricing including pilot fees, flight time, and basic operating costs. Rates can vary based on the type of aircraft and generally start at $1,500 per hour for light helicopters and increase to $5,000 per hour for twin engine aircraft.
Half-Day and Full-Day Rates
If you plan on traveling for several hours or you have an itinerary that features multiple stops, a half day or full day charter will likely be the more economical choice for you. This rate generally includes pilot fees, flight time and helicopter waiting time at your destination. Half day or full day rates are perfect for business site visits, special event shuttles, and winery tour packages where your require your aircraft to wait on the ground and be on standby while at your destination.
Multi-Day Charters
For those interested in multi-day helicopter charter, customise your trip to include a longer journey with multiple destinations over multiple days. Pricing is calculated based on total flight hours and operating costs over the course of the trip, including an additional supplement for pilot meals and accommodation while on charter.
Factors That Influence Helicopter Charter Pricing
There are a number of variables that affect the overall price of your helicopter charter, including the following.
Aircraft Type
As we've covered in detail above, the bigger, faster, and more luxurious the helicopter in question, such as the Bell 429, the more expensive the charter will be, compared to smaller and lighter helicopters such as the Robinson R44.
Flight Time and Distance
Helicopters consumed quite a bit of fuel, and the longer the distance, the more fuel they consume. Longer distances also cause more wear on the aircraft. Keep in mind that flight time is often measured from engine starts to engine shutdown.
Departure Point and Destination
What you must also consider when determining the price of a helicopter charter is what your departure and destination are. Remote location surcharges, airspace restrictions, and landing fees all factor in.
Passengers
The passengers also make a difference, as each aircraft has fairly strict weight limits. There are generally weight limits for luggage, fuel, and passengers. If you exceed the weight limit of the helicopter in question, you may need to upgrade to a larger model. The number of passengers also affects the overall cost.
One-Way Flights or Return Journeys
Something else to keep in mind when determining the cost of a helicopter charter in Australia is if you are going on a one way flight or also have a return journey. Due to the costs associated with flying helicopter, many charter companies charge for the return journey, whether you're in the machine or not.
Additional Services
Also, if there are any additional services, such as event coordination, custom scenic routes, limo transfers, in flight catering and champagne, options for aerial photography, and more, these will all add to the cost of your helicopter charter.
If you need to book a private helicopter charter in Australia, whether to get to a wedding, special event, business conference, secluded location, winery, or regional airports, Rotor One features private charters in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
