Eurocopter AS355 Twin Squirrel helicopter charter

Who is the Twin Squirrel for?

AS355 Twin Squirrel helicopter charter suits one to five people who want a twin-engine aircraft without paying for more cabin than they need. A sales team with samples, two directors with a small crew of advisers, a family office moving a principal and an assistant with bags: all fit it well. It is the practical choice, and the bag space is what stands out. Where others might ask you to cut the luggage, the Twin Squirrel generally has the room.

If you are six or more, look at the Agusta 109 Grand or, for eight, the H145 D3 or AW139. If speed is the priority on a long leg, the 109 Grand is quicker.

The AS355 is also the aircraft for our private London helicopter tour: up to four passengers, thirty minutes over the capital from Battersea.

How many passengers and how much luggage?

Up to five passengers can travel. Luggage goes in soft bags, and the Twin Squirrel is the aircraft we think of first when a small party has more to carry than usual: overnight bags, a case of samples, a presentation kit or a cased item. As always, weight is the limit, not space alone. Tell us the weight of the passengers and the bags and we will confirm the load with the fuel needed for the leg.

For anything unusual in size or shape, send us the dimensions when you ask for a quote and we check it fits before you travel.

How fast and how far?

The Twin Squirrel cruises typically at about 120 knots, a little slower than the newest executive twins, and it is a good match for legs of up to a couple of hours. On our timings pages we use one standard planning figure for every type, so a flight such as Birmingham to Manchester or Liverpool to Birmingham will be quoted with a final time for your aircraft and the day. Wind and routing change the real figure.

For long legs we check the fuel plan and tell you in advance if a stop is needed.

Night, instruments and over water

The Twin Squirrel is a twin-engine helicopter, which brings the usual margin if one engine fails and wider approval for flights over towns and water than a single-engine type. Many are equipped for instrument flight, but this varies by individual aircraft, and night flying also depends on the crew and the landing site. We confirm each of these before you book and never assume them. If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing.

Where does it land?

It is a compact aircraft, which helps. Airfields, heliports and many private sites that are too small for a large helicopter are within reach, from country-house lawns to the corner of an estate field, always subject to landing permission and site suitability. Typical sites include Denham, Elstree, Blackbushe and Redhill. See the UK heliports and airfields directory for more.

What do clients use the Twin Squirrel for?

Common uses are same-day business trips for small teams, estate and country sports with kit to carry, such as a day shooting, and race-day and event travel for a small party. We can arrange a chauffeur from Executive Global Travel to meet you at the landing site and take you on, with the bags, to the final destination. For more on events, see corporate days out by helicopter.