How to find Manchester Airport helicopter flight times?

[Some Gump]

Hi forum,

My son (2) loves planes. I take him to Manchster Airport on the bike all the time and he loves it. Recently, he has also become obsessed with helicopters - but they fly far less frequently.

Is there any way of finding out when helicopter flights are scheduled? Does anyone know where the helicopter viewing point is?

Thanks in advance

Gump

[Boatbuoy]

Helicopters are used more for charter work so their times aren't subject to timetables and are therefore more difficult to predict. Why not approach it in a different way? I don't know your area very well but a quick google seach threw up Barton Aerodrome as a place that offers helicopter lessons (I'm not suggesting you buy your son lessons!), there's going to be a higher degree of helicopter activity at somewhere like that than Manchester Airport.

[Roy Lime]

I'll second what Boatbuoy says. Last time I was at Barton (I think it's called Manchester City Airport now) there was a fair bit of helicopter activity. It's also where the NPAS fly from in the area and last year a pair of Lynxes landed there at least once.

Not sure if it's any use but there are often helicopters operating in the hills around the Longdendale Valley area near Glossop (B6105 I think).

[mybrainhurts]

I've been visiting Manchester Airport for 10+ years, several times a week, and have never seen a helicopter there.

I think there's plenty of traffic at Humberside.

[markmullen]

Your local air ambulance should have plenty of take offs and landings, IIRC its the NW Air Ambulance over that way.

[towser44]

markmullen said:

Your local air ambulance should have plenty of take offs and landings, IIRC its the NW Air Ambulance over that way.

Based at Barton (or Manchester City Airport) as it is now. All the flying schools are there also. You're very unlikely to catch a chopper at Manchester Airport. They do come in occasionally, but you'll have to be very lucky to be there at the time. They would normally be parked up near the viewing park in front of the Exec Jet building if there happened to be any in at the time of your visit.

[red_slr]

Defo Barton. Always people there doing their PPL(H) circuits etc at the weekends if the weather is decent - esp in the spring / summer months.

[TTOBES]

Don't forget, with the Grand National tomorrow there may be more [helicopter] traffic than usual at the aforementioned sites!

[Some Gump]

Thanks guys, much appreciated =)

[red_slr]

Football matches always busy with helicopters too.