Enjoy flights of imagination at Brooklands

Why do helicopters love jokes? Because they always land well!

But seriously, helicopters are familiar sights in local skies, used by the police, military, air ambulance and to take people from A to B. TV and movie companies use them for filming. Network Rail and the power networks use helicopters equipped with infrared sensing to find electrical “hot spots” that need investigation.

We see them as distant shapes in the sky, unable to appreciate their size and the extraordinary engineering that makes them fly. But next Thursday (20 August) Brooklands Museum in Weybridge is offering a rare opportunity to see many varieties of helicopter both in flight and close-up on the ground, in its “Helicopter Fly-In” event.

The action begins from 10am, when skies above the museum will come alive as a spectacular gathering of helicopters swoop in for a special all-helicopter fly-In. They will land on the neighbouring airstrip at Mercedes-Benz World.

Between 12 noon and 2pm, visitors will be able to access the airstrip to view and photograph the aircraft at close quarters, before the helicopters take to the skies again from 2.30-3.30pm.

The event promises to be a thrilling day for families, aviation enthusiasts and photographers alike: from the distinctive sound of rotor blades approaching overhead to the excitement of watching the helicopters touch down, to getting close to them on the ground.

The helicopters will range from compact two-seat training aircraft to military, executive and high-performance types. Among the stars of the day will be two Gazelles – a distinctive light helicopter with a long military history. They will be alongside an EC135 military helicopter and an Airbus H125 Squirrel – a powerful and versatile machine used around the world.

Visitors will also be able to see a new Bell 505 and the famous Jet Ranger, one of the most recognisable helicopter designs of all time.

Brooklands Museum CEO, Alex Patterson said: “Few things create excitement quite like the sound of a helicopter approaching overhead, and this promises to be a spectacular day at Brooklands Museum.

“Visitors will be able to experience the thrill of the aircraft arriving, get close to them on the ground and then watch as they take to the skies again. For children especially, it is a fantastic opportunity to see these incredible aircraft up close and enjoy an unforgettable summer holiday day out.”

The Helicopter Fly-In is included with standard Museum admission, giving visitors a full day to explore Brooklands Museum alongside the helicopter action. The museum is open from 10am–5pm.

As the home of speed, flight and innovation, the museum is currently featuring its “Summer of Speed”, a season of celebration, adventure and family experiences. It marks 100 years since Britain’s first Grand Prix took place at Brooklands on its famous banked circuit – the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit.

In the Summer of Speed, families can discover historic racing cars, motorcycles and aircraft, step aboard buses at the London Bus Museum and explore more than a century of speed, flight and innovation at the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit.

During the summer holidays a family interactive brand new STEM science show “Get Set Go!” is taking place from Monday to Friday and also included in the admission cost.

The museum warns that the Helicopter Fly-In is weather dependent.

For more information and tickets visit www.brooklandsmuseum.com. Parking is free and Brooklands Museum Members get free entry.