Since most of the UK's COVID restrictions have been lifted, UK rotary operator GB Helicopters has had an exceptional second half in 2021, resulting in its busiest summer on record. “After spending so long at home and with continued uncertainty over travelling abroad, people are eager to go on holiday,” says head of marketing Paul Jones. “This has generated countless flights to all parts of UK, a considerable increase on previous years.”

The return of spectators to the biggest annual sporting events also created another opportunity for GB clients to get out and experience another aspect of normality. Major sporting events up and down the country saw an increase in charters, specifically the F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone, which saw the company busier than it has ever been for a single event.

“With the majority of TV, film and commercials falling behind schedule and looking to get back on track, requests for our aerial filming helicopters and camera systems increased dramatically after restrictions eased,” Jones goes on. “This meant a massive amount of work went into juggling our aircraft to fit in so many projects, both in the UK and abroad.”

GB Helicopters operates five AS355N and NPs, an AW109SP, a H125, a B429 and a H155. Its most popular aircraft are the AS355s and the AW109SP, which perform most of its charter flights, while the H125 and AS355s conduct aerial filming work.

“This year has seen us working on a huge range of exciting projects,” explains Jones. “One recent production that stands out was filming for an episode of This Time with Alan Partridge. With our Shotover K1, we filmed comedy legend Steve Coogan experiencing high-G turns and loops in a two-seater Spitfire above the White Cliffs of Dover. It was a privilege to be back filming this historic aircraft over such an iconic location.

“There was also Bear Grylls and his son hanging off the helicopter skids at 10,000ft, before letting go and skydiving back to base. Then for Ultimate Hell Week – The Professionals, we had celebrities jumping out of our helicopter into the sea. They were then attached to a 60 ft long line below the helicopter, before we carried them off the top of a cliff and out over the sea.

“We have also been involved in filming some amazingly dramatic scenes in recent months, including multi-helicopter shoots. We have several other exciting projects in the pipeline over the coming months, many of which are set for release either later this year or throughout next year.”

With demand for charter flights remaining higher-than-average and more exciting aerial filming projects in the works, GB is pleased to say there is no sign of it slowing down any time soon.