Location: London, England
Date: 23 March, 2007
A chance of a flight in a helicopter should never be turned down; a chance in a 32 (The Royal) Squadron one even less so - especially when the route took in Central London! The weather wasn't brilliant at times, but good enough for a March day in England.
The route we flew took us west from Northolt to Marlow and then southeast to Farnborough before turning northeast over Woking and on to Richmond and Putney before turning due east to join the H10 heliway which would route us over the center of the capital. With magnificent views of Battersea Power Station, Westminster and the London Eye afforded by some unusual flying angles it was then east as far as Greenwich before with turned 180° to return to the center via The City. Then it was north to the BT Tower and west to the magnificent new Wembley Stadium before returning to Northolt. Brilliant!!
A view of Marlow in the murk.
The cloud base was 1200ft - we were at 1199 I think!
Heading north to join the heliway for London. This looking east over Putney, Barnes, Fulham and Chelsea.
The shell of Battersea Power Station. It's amazing people still think there's a future for it!
Looking across south London to Canary Wharf.
The London Eye.
Waterloo Station and Imax.
Greenwich; the O2 Dome, Thames Barrier and London City airport.
Canary Wharf.
The City with the Swiss RE Building ('The Gherkin') instantly recognisable.
The London Eye, Whitehall and Westminster Palace.
Trafalgar Square and St James' Park.
The BT Tower.
The futuristic rebuilt Wembley Stadium.
Returning to Northolt.
My ride - an Agusta 109 Power helicopter of 32 Squadron.
